Lifestyle Changes After Surgery

1. Eat only three small meals a day.

The stomach pouch can hold only about ¼ cup or 2 oz. of food.  If you try to eat more than this at one time, you may become nauseated.  Vomiting is also possible. 
If you ROUTINELY eat large quantities, the small stomach pouch may stretch.

2. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly.

Food can only pass through the new stoma if they have been chopped into very small pieces.  Always remember to take more time for your meals and chew your food very well.

3. Stop eating as soon as you feel full.

Once your stomach is full, your body receives a signal you have eaten enough.  It takes time though, for you to become aware of this signal.  If you rush your meal, you may eat more than you need!  This can also lead to nausea and vomiting.  Take time at your meals.  Try to recognize the feeling of fullness and then stop eating then!

4. Do not drink while you are eating.

This operation can work only if you eat solid food.  If you drink at mealtimes, the food you have eaten becomes liquid.  The the effectiveness of the Lap-Band system is greatly reduced.  YOU SHOULD NOT DRINK ANYTHING FOR 1-2 HOURS AFTER A MEAL and 30 minutes before a meal.  That way you can keep the feeling of fullness as along as possible.

5. Do not eat between meals.

After a meal, do not eat anything else until the next meal.  Eating snacks between meals is one of the major reasons for weight loss failure.  It is very important to BREAK THIS HABIT!

6. Eat only good quality foods.

With the LapBand in place, you should only be able to eat a small amount.  So the food you choose to eat should be as healthy as possible!  Do not fill your small pouch with “junk” food that lacks vitamins and other important nutrients.  Meals should be high in protein and vitamins.  Fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, and cereals are good foods to choose.  Foods high in fat and sugar are not.  You can eat apples and oranges, but try to avoid orange juice and apple juice.  Ask your doctor before you take any vitamin supplements.

IMPORTANT:  Solid food is more important than liquid food.  The LapBand will have little or no effect if you eat only liquid food.  Liquid food passes through the stomach outlet very quickly and does not make you feel full.

7. Avoid fibrous food.

Food such as asparagus that contains many fibers can block the stoma.  You can’t chew this food well enough to break it up into small pieces and your saliva can’t break it down.  FIBROUS FOODS SHOULD BE AVOIDED.  If you would like to eat asparagus or other fibrous foods once in a while, then you must be sure to cook them well, cut them into very small pieces first, and then chew thoroughly.

8. Drink enough fluids during the day.

If you lose weight, your fat content will drop. This results in waste products.  You will need to drink large amounts of liquid every day in order to urinate more and excrete these waste products from your body.  Individual needs will vary, but you should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.  You should only drink water, tea, or coffee (without milk or cream and sugar).  Also, keep your food and drinks completely separate during the day.

9. Drink only no or very low-calorie liquids.

Drinks, including those containing calories, simply run through the narrow outlet created by the band.  If you drink liquids high in calories, you will lose little weight, even if you otherwise follow your diet.

10. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.

Physical exercise consumes energy and burns calories, and is therefore very important to successful weight loss. 

Exercise can help you improve your general health.  Your weight may make it hard for you to exercise as much as you should.  Get started, even if it is a little at first.  The more weight you lose, the easier it should get.  START WITH SIMPLE EXERCISES, such as walking and swimming.  Gradually expand your program to include more vigorous forms of exercise such as cycling, jogging, and aerobics.  Increase your activity level in the course of daily living.  Some examples:  stand rather than sit, walk rather than stand, be outside rather than inside, walk rather than drive, climb the stairs rather than use the elevator, etc.


ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THE AMOUNT AND TYPE OF EXERCISE THAT IS BEST FOR YOU!