Lap-band surgery, or laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery, is a surgical procedure designed to help obese individuals and individuals at high risk for obesity-related disease, manage their weight. During the procedure, a band is placed around the top portion of your stomach, which reduces the size of your stomach to a small pouch. Since weight loss surgery requires long-term care, may pose complications and is not appropriate for everyone, seek guidance from your doctor.
Fluids
Promptly after your gastric band procedure your diet may be limited to thin liquids, or liquids that move easily through a straw. Maintaining proper hydration by drinking plentiful amounts of water is important, according to the University of California, San Diego. Additional fluid options include clear broth, skim milk, pure fruit and vegetable juices and no-sugar-added gelatin and Popsicles. Skim milk provides valuable amounts of protein, which enhance tissue repair and strength during your recovery, and valuable nutrients, such as vitamin D and calcium. Fruit and vegetable juices provide a variety of nutrients, such as vitamin C. Avoid thick smoothies, whole milk and caffeinated and alcoholic beverages which may trigger complications. You liquid-only diet will likely last for one to two weeks following your procedure at your doctor's discretion.
Soft Foods
The next phase of your recovery diet involves soft foods. These are moist foods that can be mashed with a fork, don't require chewing and contain no hard lumps or chunks. Examples of appropriate soft foods include mashed potatoes, low-fat yogurt, natural applesauce, sugar-free gelatin and pudding, soggy cold cereals, hot cereals, canned fruit stored in natural juices, soft scrambled eggs, pureed fruits and vegetables and low-fat chicken, egg or tuna salad. The Sinai Hospital of Baltimore suggests eating 1 to 2 oz. of soft food every three hours and emphasizing protein-rich items, such as soft eggs, tuna salad, pudding and yogurt. Your soft foods diet also lasts approximately two weeks at your doctor's discretion.
"Regular" Foods
By your forth or fifth week, your doctor will suggest regular-consistency foods. Increase your regular foods gradually to allow your body time to adjust. Your diet should consist of low-fat, low-sugar, high-fiber foods, according to the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. Examples of healthy foods you can enjoy include complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain breads, legumes and cereals, fresh and cooked fruit and vegetables and lean protein sources, such as fish, skinless chicken and turkey breasts and egg whites. Cut stalky and coarse vegetables, such as celery, rhubarb and artichokes into tiny pieces or avoid them to prevent obstruction of your band. Aim for three to four balanced meals, containing 2 to 3 oz. of lean protein and 2 oz. of carbohydrate, throughout each day for optimum results.
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