Proper Post Operative Band Diet Guidelines

[Mary]

Because there has been some confusing information posted on the forum lately, I decided to remind everyone of the guidelines Dr. R recommends for Post Operative Band Diet.

In addition to everything else, it is extremely important to have 6-8 glasses of water every day. There is some debate on whether to drink before meals, so each person must do what works for them. It is very important to remember not to drink during your meals--this can either "wash" the food right on through your band--or in some cases can cause things to get "stuck"..BUT when you are drinking, try to think no calorie fluids. All calories count, so save them for foods! Also, try to avoid carbonation at this phase. Some people have problems with carbonation-some don't-but during the early phases, you don't want that extra gas pressure on your stomach and band. Also-avoid alcohol during the early phase. Alcohol is calories--and it is metabolised by the body in a different way. This isn't saying you have to stay away from it forever--but right now your focus is on weight loss and alcohol is empty calories with no nutritional value.

WEEK 1

For the first week after surgery, you are wanting to heal and allow the band to "seat" into place. If you think of the band like a belt--there are stitches put around the band-like belt loops, to hold it in place. During this early phase, we don't want the stomach to churn to move foods along, so we want you to be on liquids. That is anything that would be liquid at room temperature. Some examples of this are cream soups, broth, juices, puddings(SF), milk, yogurt--anything without solids an it. Some practices recommend protien shakes--we don't necessarily recommend protien shakes. Most of the practices that recommend them-sell them! You don't need to use gimicks-you are going to learn to lose using real foods.

Week 2-3

During the 2nd and 3rd week after surgery, you can advance to soft foods. I think of soft foods as anything you would give a 5-6 month baby or someone who doesn't have any teeth. You can continue to have all the puddings, yogurt, thicker soups--and add in soft foods. Some examples are soft scrambled eggs, ground turkey and chicken(beef is still a little rough--wait on it a bit longer) tuna, grilled fish. Avoid fried foods. You can add in soft vegetables--beans, cooked vegetables. Try to avoid starches--If it is white or yellow-it is high in starch, so try not to eat too much of these items. You can also add in cooked hot cereals, cottage cheese(add some seasonings)

Starting Week 4

After the first 3 weeks, the major healing is done. You can start adding in regular foods as you can tolerate them. You may find that there are some things that disagree with your band. Everyone is different! It truly is trial and error-but you will learn what works for you. This is your journey!

When planning your meals, think Protien First, then veggies--then if you still have room, you can add in some starches. Make your meals interesting. When you go out to eat, have the wait staff bring you a to go container at the beginning of the meal--go ahead and put aside what you won't be eating--then enjoy your meal. Then you will have another meal to take home with you! At a restaurant, I usually put about 2/3 of the meal in the to go box--then it is either a meal for my husband--or 2 meals for me!

You don't need to follow any restrictive guidelines, or take high priced specialty drinks. You are doing this with real food! If you need help planning your meals, follow guidelines for higher protien diets (like South Beach--but not Atkins). Just remember that these are guidelines to give you ideas as you go.

Be careful with the high protien drinks--there has been some evidence that they can lead to increased rates of errosion. The jury is still out on whether that happens or not--but you don't need them anyway! The band works best when you are eating solid foods(shakes would just go right through!)

Good luck with your journey to weight loss and if you need any help or have any questions, feel free to contact me or Dr R or any of the patient coordinators. We are all here to help you.

Mary Ellis, RN
maryellis@thebariatric.com