Lap-Band surgery helps morbidly obese patients lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach. Unlike some weight loss surgery procedures, such as the gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding does not block calorie absorption. Effective weight loss depends on eating three small, low-calorie, high-quality meals a day, which should include at least two servings of non-starchy vegetables such as leafy greens.
Lap-Band Surgery
Adjustable gastric banding procedures involve placing a silastic band around the upper portion of the stomach to form an egg-sized pouch. In the United States, surgeons may use either the LAP-BAND or the Realize Band, both of which have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for weight loss surgery. After the patient heals, the surgeon adjusts the band by injecting saline solution -- sterile salt water -- into the band with a syringe to restrict the opening between the pouch and the stomach. Withdrawing saline can loosen the band, allowing the patient to eat more.
Eating Guidelines After Lap-Band Surgery
For the first few weeks after surgery, you will progress slowly from a clear liquid diet to soft foods. After the fourth week, you may begin eating solid, low sugar, low fat foods. You should eat three meals per day and each meal should contain about 6 g of fat, 4 to 5 g of carbohydrates and 12 to 20 g of protein, according to Houston Surgical Specialists. The objective is to fill your pouch with solid food so that you will feel full and the pouch will empty slowly, so avoid drinking liquids with your meals.
Green Salad
During the first 4 weeks after surgery, you will begin with a clear liquid diet and move slowly to soft foods. After the fourth week, you may begin eating solid foods but should add new foods slowly to make sure you can tolerate them. When you are able to tolerate fruits and vegetables, you should eat between 1.5 and 2.5 cups of non-starchy vegetables a day, according to Highland Hospital. A single serving -- about 1 cup -- of green leafy vegetables may include lettuce, spinach, cabbage or other salad greens.
Precautions
Green salads provide fiber that helps with keeping bowel movements regular and, depending on the type of greens, also provide vitamins and other nutrients. To complete your meal, though, you must add a serving of meat, fish, poultry, eggs, soy or low-fat dairy products to the salad as weight loss surgery patients must have protein at every meal. Avoid adding high-fat salad dressings, croutons, bacon and other high-calorie ingredients. Instead, top your salad with chopped green peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and other low-calorie vegetables.
References
- "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 4"; ASMBS Allied Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patients; Linda Aills, R.D., et al.; September 2008
- LapBand.US: LAP-BAND Diet
- Houston Surgical Specialists: Diet After Lap Band Surgery
- "Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies;" Brian K. Davidson, et al.; 2010
- Highland Hospital: Post-Operative Bariatric Diets: Lifestyle Meal Plans: Fruit
- Bariatric Surgery Specialists: Lap Band Surgery Diet and Nutrition
