The First Few Weeks After the Procedure

During the first few weeks after your procedure, you need to take the time to recover and to start adjusting to your new life with the LAP-BAND® System. Be patient with yourself. Remember that your weight-loss success depends on your motivation and commitment. It is an evolving process not an overnight remedy.



Recovery

In the first week after your procedure, allow yourself to recover and get plenty of rest. In the first few days, you can expect some soreness, especially where the access port is, but it should subside (please call your physician if the pain persists after a few days). To prevent an infection, your physician may tell you not to shower for a day or so after the procedure. Additionally, you should try to walk as much as comfort allows in order to regain strength and prevent blood clots, but take it slowly. In about a week, you should be able to return to work, provided it’s not physically demanding. For more physically strenuous jobs, allow yourself two to three weeks to recover. Within four to six weeks, you should be able to resume all normal activity and start a new exercise program. Note: Before engaging in any physical activity or exercise program, first consult your surgeon.

Many physicians see their patients weekly or biweekly during the first month after surgery, so you will be able to make sure your recovery is going as it should and ask any questions you may have.

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Your First Adjustment

The first band adjustment usually occurs four to six weeks after the procedure, although the exact time varies from patient to patient. The LAP-BAND® System is designed to help you achieve steady and safe weight loss, so don’t be in a hurry. You and your physician will decide when the time is right for you to have your first band adjustment.

At your first adjustment appointment, you should expect to discuss your eating habits, exercise, and rate of weight loss. This will help determine whether or not it is the right time for you to have a band adjustment. If it is, you can expect the following:

  1. An evaluation of your pouch size and stoma size before adjusting the band (This isn’t always done. Your physician may or may not evaluate your pouch size and stoma size before the adjustment.)
  2. Adjustment of your LAP-BAND® System.
  3. Evaluation of your pouch size and stoma size after the procedure to confirm that the proper band adjustment has been made. (By having you drink water or another procedure your physician determines as necessary).

Click here to learn more about adjustments.

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Dietary Guidelines

After your procedure, you will need a new diet. You should discuss this in detail with your physician and/or dietitian. They can help you learn about and adjust to the changes in lifestyle and eating habits you need to make. Be sure that you fully understand their specific instructions—and then make every effort to follow them.

The First Few Days Post-procedure

It is very important to follow the eating and drinking instructions immediately after the procedure. This allows the new stomach pouch to heal completely and the LAP-BAND® System to sit in the right position. It is important, especially in the early weeks, not to stretch the small stomach pouch above the LAP-BAND® System. Vomiting will do this, while also increasing the chance of stomach tissue slipping up through the band. So it’s important to keep yourself from vomiting after the LAP-BAND® System has been put in place.

Right after the procedure you can take an occasional sip of water or suck on an ice cube. You shouldn’t consume any more liquid than this, though. The day after the procedure, you can take a little more fluid but only a small amount at a time. Besides water, you should also choose clear liquids that have an adequate number of calories. To prevent nausea and vomiting, do not drink too much.

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Liquid Diet (1–2 weeks post-procedure)

The goal during this early post-procedural period is to protect the small stomach pouch. Only thin liquids can be tolerated at this time. It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Other liquids recommended during this phase include:

  • clear broth or soup (with no vegetables or meat, and not creamy)
  • skim milk
  • fruit juice
  • no-sugar-added popsicles

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Pureed Foods (3–4 weeks post-procedure)

During this phase you may start having slightly textured foods. Aim for the consistency of baby foods. This will help you transition to more solid foods later. Because protein is so important for maintaining muscle while you lose weight, eat protein-rich foods first, and then move on to fruits and vegetables. Foods in this stage may include:

  • pureed skinless chicken or fish
  • mashed potatoes
  • peas
  • low-fat yogurt or pudding

In the first few weeks you may be able to eat foods that might not be allowed in your diet later, as these foods may contain too many calories. It is more important in the first few weeks to let your stomach adjust to the LAP-BAND® System than it is to lose weight. Also, your timing and progression into each dietary phase may vary. In general, when it comes to nutrition, you should follow the advice of your physician and/or dietitian.

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Soft Foods (5 weeks post-procedure)

Your meals can now include tender, cooked foods like fish and ground turkey. Now that you can chew, make it a habit to chew foods well. If you have dentures, be sure to cut your food into small pieces and chew your food thoroughly. If you don’t follow these precautions, you may experience vomiting, stomach irritation and swelling. You could also have stoma obstruction. Some products like bread, red meat, and rice may still cause you problems, so it is better to eat softer foods that are easier to digest. These might include foods such as moist white meat (chicken or pork) and fish.

If solid foods cause nausea and vomiting, go back to the liquid diet you had earlier. Then you can slowly add soft foods and eventually transition to solid foods. Always ask your doctor or dietitian for advice that is specific to your situation. Vomiting may increase the incidence of band slippage, stomach slippage, or stretching of the small stomach pouch above the LAP-BAND® System .

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Ask your LAP-BAND® System physician about viewing Emmi Success™ interactive education series for the days, weeks and months after LAP-BAND® System procedure.

To learn more about living with the LAP-BAND® System, you can also download and read the post-op LAP-BAND® System patient booklet below.