Diet after gastric banding
Description
You had laparoscopic gastric banding. This surgery made your stomach smaller by closing off part of your upper stomach with an adjustable band. After surgery you will eat less food. You also will not be able to eat quickly.
Your doctor, nurse, or dietitian will teach you about foods you can eat and foods you should avoid. It is very important to follow these diet guidelines.
When you go home from the hospital
You will eat only liquid or puréed food for 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery. You will slowly add in soft foods, and then regular foods.
When you start eating solid foods again, you may feel full very quickly. Just a few bites of solid food may fill you up. This is because your new stomach pouch holds only a small amount of food. It also depends on whether your surgeon placed some fluid in the band at the time of surgery. If so, you may feel full quickly. Some surgeons wait for several weeks before starting the filling process, and food may go down much more normally until that happens.
Your pouch might get larger over time. You do not want to stretch it out, so DO NOT eat more than your doctor, nurse, or dietitian advises. When your pouch is larger, it will not hold more than about 1 cup (150 g) of chewed food. A normal stomach can hold up to 4 cups (600 g) of chewed food.
You will lose weight more slowly than with a gastric bypass or a sleeve gastrectomy. It depends in part on the number of band fills you have and how tight the band has been adjusted. It also depends greatly on your exercise and your eating as the dietitian recommends. During this time, you may have these symptoms:
- Tiredness
- Feel cold
- Dry skin
- Mood changes
These symptoms are normal. They should go away as your body gets used to your weight loss.
A new way of eating
Remember to eat slowly and chew each bite very slowly and completely. DO NOT swallow food until it is smooth. The opening between your new stomach pouch and the large part of the stomach is small. Food that is not chewed well can block this opening.
- Take only 20 to 30 minutes to eat a meal. If you vomit or have pain under your breastbone during or after eating, you may be eating too fast.
- Eat 6 small meals during the day instead of 3 big ones. Your doctor or dietitian will help you decide how many meals a day you will eat.
- DO NOT snack between meals unless you are told to.
- STOP EATING AS SOON AS YOU FEEL FULL.
- DO NOT eat if you are not hungry.
- Use small plates and cups to help with portion sizes.
Some foods you eat may cause some pain or discomfort if you do not chew them completely. Some of these are pasta, rice, bread, raw vegetables, and meats. Adding a low-fat sauce or gravy can make them easier to digest. Other foods that may cause discomfort are dry foods, such as popcorn and nuts, or fibrous foods, such as celery and corn.
You will need to drink up to 8 cups (64 ounces) of water or other calorie-free liquids every day:
- DO NOT drink anything for 30 minutes before or after a meal. Also, DO NOT drink anything while you are eating. The liquid will fill you up, and this may keep you from eating enough healthy food. Or it may lubricate the food and allow you to eat more than you should.
- Take small sips when you are drinking. DO NOT gulp.
- Ask your health care provider before using a straw, since it may bring air into your stomach. Avoid fizzy (carbonated) drinks.
Follow your diet carefully
You will need to make sure you are getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals while you are losing weight quickly. Eating mostly protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help your body get the nutrients it needs.
Protein may be the most important of these foods. Your body needs protein to build muscles and other body tissues. Low-fat protein choices include:
- Skinless chicken
- Lean beef or pork
- Fish
- Whole eggs or egg whites
- Beans
- Dairy products, which include low-fat or nonfat hard cheeses, cottage cheese, milk, and yogurt
Combining foods with texture together with protein helps people with a gastric band stay satisfied longer. This would include things like salad with grilled chicken, or celery with peanut butter.
Because you are eating less, your body may not be getting enough of some important vitamins and minerals. Your provider may prescribe these:
- Multivitamin with iron
You will need to have regular checkups with your provider to keep track of your weight and to make sure you are eating well. These visits are a good time to talk with your provider about any problems you are having with your diet, or about other issues related to your surgery and recovery.
Calories still count!
Avoid high calorie foods. It is important to get as many nutrients as you can without eating too many calories. One way to do that is to read food labels.
- DO NOT eat foods that contain a lot of fats, sugar, or carbohydrates, particularly "slider" foods. These are foods that dissolve easily or pass quickly through the band.
- DO NOT drink alcohol. Alcohol contains a lot of calories, but it does not provide nutrition. Avoid it completely if you can.
- DO NOT drink fluids that have a lot of calories. Avoid drinks that have sugar, fructose, or corn syrup in them. Fruit juices may have lots of calories and don't help you lose weight.
- Avoid carbonated drinks, such as soda and sparkling water. Let soda go flat before drinking.
If you gain weight or your weight loss is slower than expected, ask yourself:
- Am I eating too many high calorie foods or drinks?
- Am I eating too often?
- Am I exercising enough?
Reviewed By: John E. Meilahn, MD, Bariatric Surgery, Chestnut Hill Surgical Associates, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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