Lap band surgery is the least restrictive form of weight loss surgery and an effective method of weight loss if you have over 100 pounds of weight to lose. Most clinics and insurance companies require that you be at least 100 pounds over your healthy weight to be eligible for the surgery unless you have health issues such as diabetes or a heart condition that could improve with weight loss. In those cases, they may allow the surgery if you have less than 100 pounds to lose. Either way, the process, and the post-operative care, is the same.
Eating
Some people find that they can still eat anything after surgery but others find that they are restricted. Some common restrictions you may experience are any meat you have to cut with a knife and fork, white meat chicken or turkey and any seafood that is overly dry or rubbery. These are more likely to get stuck in the band than ground meats, dark meat poultry and tender seafood.
Doughy soft breads like rolls, white bread, muffins, bagels and pizza are more likely to get stuck in the band. Stick with crispy, crunchy breads like well-toasted wheat bread, pita chips, bagel chips, breadsticks, and crackers. Avoid popcorn.
Fruits and vegetables are fine but avoid tough, stringy parts like asparagus stems or the white membranes of citrus fruit. Avoid dried fruits.
Stews and soups are a good choice, especially in the beginning of your weight loss program.
Use low fat condiments like BBQ sauce, ketchup or mustard to lubricate dry foods.
Take tiny bites and chew each bite thoroughly. It should be mushy before you swallow.
Add new foods to your diet slowly to be sure you can tolerate them.
Eat protein foods first to make sure you get plenty of protein. Because you won't be able to eat much, save the carbohydrates for filler.
Avoid overeating. Overeating can cause the pouch created by the band to stretch and may cause vomiting. It may also cause the band to slip, requiring surgical repairs.
Read food labels carefully to make sure you are not consuming empty calories.
Don't deprive yourself. A small bite or two of a special treat will help you fend off the cravings that lead to binge eating. Allow yourself a special treat once a week.
Eat mindfully. Set the table, sit down with family and focus on enjoying your meal. Do not eat in front of the television or at your desk while working.
You can still eat out. Just ask for a box with your meal and immediately put the food you won't be eating out of sight. Take it home and enjoy it for another meal.
Ask the waiter if you can have a child's portion or a senior portion, both of which are smaller.
Don't eat fried foods.
Exercise
Begin slowly. Start with 10 to 15 minutes of exercise two or three times a week and increase as you feel comfortable.
Exercises done in water are good because the water helps support your weight, your joints don't experience as much impact and you get added benefit from the resistance of the water. Swimming, walking in water or mild water aerobics are all good choices.
If your knees, hips, feet and ankles can handle it, increase your walking. Find ways to add more steps to your day. Use a pedometer as a way to measure this.
There are many good low impact fitness tapes, including some you can do seated. These are a good way to get your exercise in at home.
Try yoga for flexibility and strength building.
Other Tips
Take the supplements your physician prescribes.
Drink at least 48 ounces of noncaloric fluids every day. Do not drink fluids with your meals because this will cause the pouch to stretch.
Drinking with your meals can also cause the food to expand in the pouch causing band slippage, which requires surgery.
Avoid carbonation and caffeine. The bubbles in carbonated drinks take up space in your pouch and reduce the amount of fluids you can consume. Caffeine is a diuretic and causes fluid loss.
Avoid straws because you also take in air while drinking with them.
Weigh yourself weekly. This is important so you can catch any weight gains early.
Find a good tailor to alter your clothes as you lose weight, so you don't have to buy a new wardrobe every few weeks.
Look for clothing that wraps and can be adjusted to your changing shape.
Choose clothes with as few seams as possible because they are easier to alter.
Avoid pregnancy for at least 24 months after surgery. While your body is losing weight, a pregnancy would be dangerous for you and could be disastrous for your baby.
Join a support group of other people who have had the surgery or are planning to have it. You can learn from the others and further support your own resolve.
If you've used food to cope with emotional issues, consider seeing a therapist to help you find other ways to cope.
Keep an item of clothing, such as jeans or sweatpants, that you wore at your heaviest as a reminder of where you were and how far you've come. If you start to gain, pull them out to remind you of why you had the surgery and did all that work.
