Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery involves putting an adjustable band around the stomach to divide it into two pouches. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that the band is attached to a saline reservoir placed under the patient's abdominal skin. The doctor adds or removes saline to tighten or loosen the band. When the patient eats, the upper pouch fills quickly and the patient feels full. The food gradually moves into the lower pouch. The new stomach configuration requires the patient to follow dietary restrictions for several weeks and learn new eating habits.
First Two Weeks
The University of California San Diego Medical Center explains the patient must follow a liquid diet for the first two weeks after surgery. The patient can sip water or suck on ice chips the first day, then gradually add other thin liquids, such as clear broth, skim milk and fruit juice, on following days. The patient should drink only small amounts at a time to avoid vomiting.
Weeks Three and Four
After the first two weeks, the patient can begin eating pureed foods. According to the Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Program, eating solid food at this stage post-op can cause a blockage at the opening between the two stomach pouches or cause the upper pouch to enlarge. It also can cause the band to slip from position. The UCSD Medical Center advises to eat protein-rich foods, such as pureed skinless fish or chicken, and vegetables, such as mashed potatoes and pureed peas. Another good choice is low-fat yogurt or pudding.
Week Five and Beyond
The patient moves to solid food in the fifth week. According to the Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Program, individuals differ in what they can tolerate at this stage. Foods encouraged are fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein foods, such as fish, skinless chicken breasts or ground turkey. It helps to chew food thoroughly and eat small amounts slowly.
The University of Maryland Medical School advises the patient should avoid high-fat and deep-fried foods, fast-food, high-sugar foods and alcohol. The UCSD Medical School also advises avoiding carbonated beverages, dried fruit, pineapple, grapes, rhubarb, asparagus, corn, popcorn, nuts and seeds.
Long-Term Guidelines
Because people with lap bands cannot eat everything and must eat smaller amounts, they need to be conscious of nutritional intake. The UCSD Medical School advises people with lap bands eat three small meals a day of good quality food only. After surgery, the stomach only holds about two ounces of food at a time, so it's necessary to eat slowly, chew thoroughly and stop when full. To increase weight loss, a person should not eat between meals.
Another reason to chew thoroughly is that large pieces can block the dime-sized opening between the two stomach pouches. For the same reason, it's best to avoid fibrous foods. A person with a lap band must stay hydrated, but should not drink during or right after eating because that flushes food out of the upper pouch, leaving the person feeling hungry.
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