Nutrition

Portion size is a major factor in your success with weight loss surgery. However, the types of foods you eat can affect your weight loss as well. Always talk to your doctor or dietician about your particular dietary needs.
 
Weight loss surgeries create a small stomach with a narrow opening. If you try to eat too much at one time you may become nauseated or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small pouch may stretch. That will defeat the purpose of the operation. Frequent vomiting can also cause certain complications, such as band slippage. You need to learn how much you can eat comfortably and then do not exceed this amount.
 
Preoperative Diet 
The preoperative diet is a 2 week low calorie high protein diet that consists of a three protein drinks and two protein bars daily. The purpose of the preop diet is to help shrink the liver. The liver is located right over the area the surgeon will be working and if the liver is too large it will prevent the surgeon from seeing adequately to safely perform the operation.
 
Postoperative Diet 
The week after surgery you will be on a full liquid diet. After the first week, we will advance your diet to soft or pureed foods for a week. After a week of soft foods we then advance you to solid foods. As you learn new eating habits and behaviors it is important to follow the below rules:
 
Ten important rules that will help you get the best results you can with the LAP-BAND System.
 
  • Eat only 3 small meals per day.
  • Eat slowly and chew thoroughly (15-20 times a bite).
  • Stop eating as soon as you feel any fullness or are no longer hungry. 
  • Do not drink while you are eating.
  • Do not eat between meals. 
  • Eat only good quality food. 
  • Avoid fibrous food. 
  • Drink enough fluids during the day. (All fluids should be calorie free.) 
  • Take a suitable multivitamin daily. 
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
 
Good Eating Habits
Cut food into small pieces and chew it well. Wait 30-60 seconds between bites. Eat your protein and vegetables first. Stop eating if you have any feeling of fullness or discomfort. Eat small portions (1/2 to 3/4 of a cup per meal). Do not try to eat until you are full or continue eating “because you can”. Eat only when you are hungry. Avoid habit, boredom, and stress eating.
 
Foods to Avoid
Some foods have a concentrated supply of calories with little nutritional value and should be avoided as much as possible. They include:
 
Sugar and foods containing large quantities of sugar, such as:
  • Soft drinks Fruit Juice 
  • Syrups Peanut Butter 
  • Cakes Yogurt
  • Biscuits Applesauce 
  • Sweets Soups 
  • Jam Protein Drinks
  • Marmalade Fruit Smoothies 
  • Honey Instant Breakfasts
High calorie/High-fat foods including: 
  • Ice Cream 
  • Chocolate 
  • Pies 
  • Chips 
  • Pastries 
  • Fast Foods