LAP BAND FAQS – FOOD & NUTRITION QUESTIONS

“With my band, I have been trained to enforce portion control as well as quality control on all the food I eat.”

PATTI O. – Lost over 130 lbs

After being banded, why do I need to drink so much water?

Surprise! This is something we should all be doing everyday with or without the Lap Band! But, drinking water should become a habit especially after being banded. Water is the most abundant substance in your body, and subsequently one of the most important. You could survive for weeks without food, but only a few days without water. This is in part because of the role water plays in allowing chemical reactions, including those that provide you with energy, to take place within your cells. Water is also part of your blood and the fluid that bathes your cells. It plays a key part in carrying nutrients to and removing wastes from your cells. This is especially important when weight loss is occurring.
The removal of fat from the body will have a dehydrating effect. Dehydration will affect your band’s restriction, causing it to feel too tight. Keeping yourself hydrated will allow the band to function properly, making it easier for you to comfortably eat. It is recommended that you drink 64-100 ounces daily. Your water needs may increase during hot weather and extended exercise.

Alcohol has a high number of calories and breaks down vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other non-carbonated alcoholic beverage, though, is not considered harmful to weight loss when limited to 150 calories consumed in one day. If you are going to have a glass of alcohol, you should forgo the dessert.

There is a modified eating plan to allow for recovery following lap band surgery. It is only temporary and has 4 phases to graduate you back from clear liquids to eating normally.This special diet is not part of the weight loss phase of your journey, but is necessary for proper healing. You will receive this at the hospital with your postoperative orders. Your Patient Facilitator is available for follow up questions.

Yes! In addition to our Patient Education Coordinator who is on staff to help you with that part of your journey, we have many lessons and teaching tools available on our online Patient Forum. Current topics include “6 Weeks to a Healthy Diet Series”, “6 Week to a Healthier Lifestyle Series” and a PowerPoint presentation on “A Practical Approach to Weight Management.” These materials will cover how to improve your lifestyle to promote weight loss, instructions for practical problem solving, and information on weight management such as basic nutritional needs, meal planning tips, portion control with tips for food selection and serving size, and exercise tips and programs.

Lap Band Patients differ as to how they will tolerate their medications, but as a rule most patients have no problem. Some medications can be split or crushed with no problems. A few pills should not be broken or crushed because they are covered with a coating that is designed to keep them intact until they reach the intestines. If you think you have this kind of medication, please speak with your pharmacist or Dr. Kuri before breaking your pills. Some medications may be available in liquid form, chewable form or in a smaller dosage.
Generally, all NSAIDS,(non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided, as they may irritate the stomach. The problems these drugs may cause could result in having to remove the Lap Band.

NO! Soda is what we call a ‘bad band food’. Not only is soda full of sugar, but drinking carbonated beverages endangers the life and function ability of your Lap Band. The carbonation causes your pouch to swell and may cause discomfort and trouble passing food. In addition, carbonation is also known as a probable cause of pouch dilation.

Snacking can definitely sabotage your weight loss and usual “snack foods” are definitely not recommended. High carbohydrate foods give calories without satisfaction. If you’re hungry between meals, try to have protein or fruit. You can also snack on water since hydration offers multiple benefits in addition to filling you up.

The main thing to avoid is high calorie liquids (juices, etc.). Fibrous fruits and veggies may cause problems. Pasta, potatoes, bread, and rice are high in carbohyrdrates and offer little nutritional value. One thing that patients need to be sure they include is high fiber foods and high protein foods. As you’re eating less quantity of food, you still need to consume the same levels of protein and fiber as before. In general, many Bandsters find that they eat higher quality food post-Band.

You should drink between meals. Try to avoid liquids 30 minutes prior or one hour after eating. If you drink too close to your meal, you can fill your pouch with liquids and you won’t have room for food.

Usually, you won’t require any type of food supplements because the Lap Band procedure does not restrict the absorption of nutrients. You still obtain the vitamins and nutrients from what you eat.

During your first week post-op, you will typically be on a full liquid diet. The second week, you will typically eat a puree/soft foods diet. High calorie liquids should be avoided after the liquid stage. Other than that, it depends on individual tolerances.

The Liver Shrinking Diet (also know as LSD) is a high protein / low carb diet that helps to prepare your liver to stand up to surgery. In obese people, the liver tends to be fatty and can bleed easily. By removing as much fat as possible, this increases its safety in surgery. Patients with a very high BMI may be asked to go on this temporary diet. Dr. Kuri and your Facilitator will let you know if this is something you will have to do pre-surgery.