Weight Loss Surgery Success with the Lap Band Procedure

Weight loss surgery success after a lap band procedure requires that you follow your post-surgical diet as closely as possible. The reduced stomach size that the band causes helps control your hunger and maintain appropriate portion sizes.  However, you may notice that your experience with LAP-BAND makes adhering to the post-surgical diet difficult. As you adjust to the band, you may have to alter the timing of meals and the types of food you eat so that you remain comfortable and avoid digestive problems.

Your weight loss efforts will be easier to manage if you keep a journal of your daily eating to help you monitor your intake as accurately as possible. A journal helps you identify patterns and problem foods and ensures you are consuming enough protein and nutrients to lose weight and stay healthy.

Some patients report that drinking warm tea or other non-caloric liquid first thing in the morning helps the lap band loosen before eating breakfast. While this may not be your experience, you should probably avoid very cold liquids as many patients report that this tightens them up and makes it difficult to eat.  A low-fat breakfast one to two hours after you wake up is a good way to start your daily activities. Try to add protein to your breakfast as this will keep your appetite under control. Continue to keep your protein consumption at an adequate level by having a high protein and low carbohydrate nutrient shake as a mid-morning snack. A shake with 15 g. or more of protein is a good choice.

Like many weight loss surgery patients, you may not feel hungry at lunchtime if you eat a delayed breakfast and mid-morning snack. A broth based soup may help to keep your calorie consumption at the appropriate level. The warm, liquid soup is often times more palatable than other foods. Eat a mid-afternoon snack to keep your calorie consumption at a good level and give yourself energy to make it through the day. Good mid-afternoon snack choices are yogurt, cottage cheese or fruit. Consume another high protein shake in late afternoon to keep your protein level up.

You may choose to eat a smaller dinner if you are feeling full. Attempt to eat 4 ounces of lean fish or ground meat. These meat choices digest easier than cuts of beef or chicken. Add a serving of green vegetables if you feel hungry. Include a late-evening snack of vegetable juice to keep your vitamin and mineral consumption at a good level. Success with the lap band requires that you keep your nutrient consumption at adequate levels for a healthy body.