Patient Guidelines And Tips For Successful Weight Loss After A Lap Band Adjustment

Healthy After Lap Band Adjustments

After undergoing weight loss surgery, specifically lap band surgery, many patients would like to know the guidelines and tips on how to eat after a band adjustment.

Following the proper dietary guidelines after a band adjustment will help minimize complications associated with fills & adjustments as well as help facilitate weight loss.

What is a gastric band adjustment?

The reason for an adjustment is to make sure that you obtain a feeling of satisfaction after you eat and that you are losing weight consistently and gradually, approximately one - three pounds every week.

Tips and guidelines after a band adjustment

Dietary tips after adjusting your band

   - Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band systems are designed to restrict solids, not liquids in your new diet. Liquids will pass through the reduced stomach pouch more easily, and after the first few weeks will not make you feel full.

   - Drinking liquids during or immediately after eating tends to flush food through the pouch above the band and you will not get the desired feeling of satiety needed to help you lose weight efficiently.
   - Eating or drinking in excess or too quickly will cause nausea or discomfort. You will adapt over time how to properly adjust your eating behavior so that this is less of an issue.

   - It is common after band adjustments to not feel hungry. Remember that proper nutrition is crucial to your healing. You may even have to remind yourself to eat.

   - Always stay hydrated. Your goal is to drink eight- 8 ounce glasses of clear liquids per day. Sip slowly throughout the day. Many patients find a water bottle very helpful. NO STRAWS OR SPORTS BOTTLES.

   - Consuming too much food or large chunks of food can obstruct the stomach pouch and /or stomach outlet. In most cases, you can avoid this problem by chewing your food thoroughly and eating only small bites at a time. Your new stoma opening is about the size of a dime. Chew enough so the food can fit through the opening.

   - Eat only 3 small meals a day. Your stomach can only hold 1-1/2 cup of food or 2-4oz at a time. Stop eating when your hunger is gone or you feel comfortable.

   - After a band adjustment, choose foods wisely. Since you can only eat small quantities, it is important to choose healthy foods that provide nutritional value. Your most important priority is lean protein followed by fruits and vegetables. If you can, select whole grain over white carbohydrates.

   - Continue to add new foods slowly to your diet. This will make it easier to figure out which foods are poorly tolerated. Do not get upset if you find you are not able to tolerate a particular food. Wait a about a week and then try it again. Eventually you will be able to eat most foods that you ate before lap band or realize band surgery.

If you vomit within 48 hours after a fill, or if food gets stuck in your stomach, you will need to contact your surgeon or physician right away; these symptoms may indicate that your band is too tight. If your surgeon/physician is unavailable, report to the nearest emergency room.

A free weight loss surgery seminar is a great place for you to start. Not only will you find out more about the weight loss procedures offered, bariatric physicians and other clinical specialists are available to meet with prospective patients, but it provides information about different weight loss surgery options.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nino_Piombo_Jr