NUTRITION GUIDELINES FOR LAP-BAND ® PATIENTS

Diet During Hospitalization

After surgery, in addition to water you will first be offered clear liquids. Clear liquids include gelatin, clear juice, and broth. In time, your diet will include blended and pureed foods. Blended foods, because chunks of food can obstruct the opening for foods leaving the stomach, causing you to vomit and experience pain. You may be tempted to restrict your diet to liquids, but this will prevent you from developing the habit of chewing your food properly.

Many things can cause discomfort and vomiting. Sometimes it may be a specific food. However, you should be careful not to avoid a food just because you vomited once after eating it. You may wish to wait a day or two, but then you should try the specific food again.

Remember!

It is important to: Eat slowly Chew food well Don't drink during meals Drink liquids 30 minutes before or at least 60 minutes after meals Stop eating when you are full.  Eat three meals; avoid snacking.  Sip low-calorie beverages between meals Select a balanced diet.  Exercise regularly For successful weight loss after Adjustable Gastric Banding surgery, a change in your eating habits is necessary. The operation alone is not a cure--it is not magical. You will not be able to lose as much weight as you like if you eat continuously, or if you stretch your stomach by eating large amounts of food at one time. You will achieve your desired weight loss only if you are willing to control what you eat, and the way in which you eat it.