Questions about Diet, Nutrition & Exercise

Q: Will I need to follow a post-operative diet after surgery? If so, for how long?

A: We will provide you with a post-operative diet and meal plan to follow for four weeks after your Lap-Band® surgery. The diet will help decrease the initial irritation and inflammation around the stomach and allow your band to "settle" into place. At first, you will have only liquids in small amounts. Gradually, you will progress from liquids to soft foods, eventually introducing solid foods back into your diet. The transition to solids is slow and varies among patients. Eating must be done slowly and should be stopped when you feel full. Only small portions at intervals throughout the day are recommended. Eating too much at one sitting can cause discomfort and/or vomiting. Dr. Collier will discuss with you the specific post-operative dietary restrictions and recommendations in greater detail.

Q: Will my eating habits change after surgery?

A: Yes, your eating habits will change following Lap-Band® surgery. You will find that you become full or satisfied after consuming a much smaller portion of food than you did prior to surgery. It is important that you stop eating once you feel full, as overeating can trigger pain and/or nausea. In addition, we recommend that you eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly.

Q: Are there any specific foods or beverages that I should not eat post-operatively?

A: Dr. Collier recommends that you meet with his nutritionist prior to your surgery to review your dietary needs after placement of the band.  Lap-Band® patients should NOT eat any dried fruits, as they can swell in the stomach pouch and become stuck. It is also recommended that patients avoid "fibrous" foods after surgery as they can also get lodged in the small opening of the stomach pouch. Such foods include, but are not limited to: asparagus, pineapple, rhubarb, corn (especially popcorn) and grapes. Furthermore, nuts and seeds (walnuts, whole peanuts, almonds) appear to be hard to digest for many patients. (Note: in general, Lap-Band® patients improve their digestion if they learn to chew their food well, particularly meats.) Patients should try to avoid carbonated beverages as they can cause distension of the stomach pouch. In addition, patients can help avoid feeling nauseated during the first 6 weeks post-operatively if they avoid acidic juices (e.g., orange, grapefruit, lemon). Otherwise, we recommend you eat a wide variety of foods and drink ten glasses of water every day.

Q: What nutritional supplements will I need to take post-operatively?

A: We recommend that our patients take a chewable multivitamin with iron every day. In addition, we suggest that our female patients also take a daily calcium supplement. Because the Lap-Band® procedure is not a malabsorptive one, you should enjoy the full nutritional benefits of the food that you eat post-surgery. The volume of the food you eat will decrease, however, so you will need to be sure to follow a nutritionally balanced meal plan.

 Q: Will I get sick from eating sugar, natural or otherwise?

A: There are no problems with "dumping syndrome" after the Lap-Band® procedure because your stomach and intestines have not been bypassed or significantly altered. Gastric bypass patients, on the other hand, are instructed to avoid refined sugar, which can cause dumping.

 Q: How will reflux or heartburn affect me after the surgery?

A: In recent studies, patient's reflux problems have improved after Lap-Band® surgery. However, some patients may experience reflux during the early stages of their recovery.

Q: Will I suffer any hair loss or other nutritional deficiencies commonly associated with bariatric surgery?

A: No, unlike most other forms of bariatric surgery, the Lap-Band® is not a malabsorptive procedure so your body's ability to metabolize vitamins and nutrients should not be affected.