Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, or Lap-Band surgery, is a bariatric procedure to help obese people lose weight. It's a simpler operation than gastric bypass surgery and involves placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. The Lap-Band procedure is still surgery, and you'll need to follow a special diet before and after the procedure to minimize surgical risks and help your body heal.
Lap-Band Basics
During laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, or LAGB, an adjustable silicone band divides your stomach into two sections. The Lap-Band is filled with saline and can be made bigger or smaller at any time through an access port that is created during surgery. The smaller the band, the less food can travel into your stomach. Food will slowly pass from the pouch into the larger stomach area and then into your intestines. This process slows digestion and restricts the amount of food you'll be able to eat in one sitting. Fewer calories consumed will lead to weight loss.
Pre-Op Diet
All surgeries carry risk, especially for overweight patients who may have other health issues. Losing as much weight as possible, especially losing abdominal fat, before surgery can help minimize these risks. Your doctor will probably suggest a restricted-calorie diet a few months before surgery, between 800 and 1,200 calories daily. You'll need to limit all added sugars, starchy foods such as bread, pasta and rice and fats, high-fat meats and whole milk dairy. In the few weeks before surgery your doctor may recommend a liquid-only diet that involves high-protein shakes. Increasing protein consumption helps preserve lean muscle mass and will make recovery from surgery easier.
Post-Op Diet
To allow your body to heal, you'll follow a liquids-only diet for the first few weeks after Lap-Band surgery. Your doctor will determine the length of your liquid diet and when it will be appropriate to begin to add solid foods, based on your individual needs. The first few days will be restricted to clear liquids such as broth and diluted fruit juices. Once your body tolerates clear liquids well, you'll be allowed to consume thicker liquids, such as protein shakes and low-fat yogurt. In about four weeks, you'll add pureed foods to your diet, followed by soft solid foods. After two months your body may be ready for regular foods.
Other Tips
Your new stomach pouch will only be able to hold a small amount of liquid -- between 3 and 8 oz. Drinking too much can cause vomiting, which may cause the Lap-Band to slip. While on a liquids-only diet, choose nutrient-dense liquids like chicken or beef broth, rather than tea or sugar-free gelatin. Avoid carbonated beverages for six months after Lap-Band surgery. You may need to take a daily multivitamin to ensure adequate nutrition.
Member Comments