The First Year After the Procedure

During the first year after your procedure, you have the opportunity to become comfortable with your new lifestyle and to understand how the LAP-BAND® System works. You will have one or more adjustments as you learn to listen to your body in order to maximize your weight-loss results. You will also know where to get support.



Check-Ups and Adjustments

It is recommended that physicians see their patients every four to six weeks during the first year after the procedure. Adjustments are performed as needed during these visits. During the first year, many LAP-BAND® System patients have five to eight adjustments. Your stomach needs to adjust with you as your body changes. A few people never need an adjustment while others need five or more. It�s all about making sure you are losing weight safely. Click here to learn more about adjustments.

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Dietary Guidelines

When you can eat solid foods without problems, you will need to pay close attention to your diet. Avoid drinking liquids during or immediately after meals as liquids tend to flush food through the stomach pouch, preventing you from getting the prolonged feeling of satiety needed to help you eat less. Staying hydrated throughout the day is important, however. Drink at least six to eight cups of water per day, and make sure you consume them between meals.

Chew your food well and eat small bites so that the food can easily fit through the opening. This will help you avoid the problem of food blocking the stomach outlet. Also, eat only three small meals a day, and make sure that these meals contain adequate nutrients. Your stomach can only hold about one-fourth of a cup of food, or two ounces, at a time. Stop eating when your hunger is gone or when you feel comfortable. For more information on how to eat with the LAP-BAND® System, visit the Continued Well-Being page.

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The general nutrition guide below can help you create good and healthy meals that contain adequate nutrients but little sugar and fat:

Good Food Choices

  • Fruits and vegetables
    • 1 to 2 servings of fresh fruit daily
    • 2 to 3 servings of fresh vegetables daily
  • Breads and cereals
    • 1 small portion of low-sugar cold or hot cereal
    • 1/2 to 1 slice of toasted whole wheat or rye bread each day.
    Note: Some patients have difficulty eating bread.
  • Meat, fish, poultry, eggs
    1 to 2 ounces of meat, fish, or poultry�or one egg each day. (Remove all visible fat from the meat. Remove the skin from poultry. Prepare the meat in ways that need very little fat. Grilling, steaming, microwaving, or boiling are all good ways to do this.) Note: Some patients have difficulty eating meat.
  • Dairy products
    Milk and yogurt are calories in liquid form. However, these types of food have calcium, which makes them an important part of a healthy daily diet, so choose a maximum of 2 cups of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt and 1 ounce of cheese a day.
  • Fats
    Restrict the use of fat to 3 to 4 teaspoons of margarine, butter, or oil per day. You can have low-fat salad dressings and mayonnaise in moderation.
  • Drinks
    Drink as many calorie-free liquids per day as you wish (though not with meals). Suitable drinks are:
    • tea or coffee (black) with low-calorie sweetener
    • water
    • non-carbonated beverages containing few or no calories

    Some doctors have reported that carbonated beverages may contribute to enlargement of the small pouch and recommend they be avoided.

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Foods to Avoid

Some foods deliver a concentrated supply of calories but little nutritional value. These foods should be avoided whenever possible. They include:

  • syrups
  • cakes
  • jam
  • chips
  • pastries

Alcoholic drinks should also be consumed in moderation: for example, a glass of wine per day.

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Common Problem Foods

Some foods have difficulty passing through the opening of the stoma and may cause blockage. These include:

  • dry meat
  • shrimp
  • untoasted or doughy bread
  • rice
  • peanut butter
  • fibrous vegetables like corn, asparagus, and celery
  • nuts
  • greasy or fried food
  • membrane of citrus fruits

Introduce these foods slowly and individually to see if they are tolerated. Always be careful, chew well, and follow your physician’s or dietitian’s advice.

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Exercise Guidelines

Incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine in the first year is as important as your nutrition plan. Often patients have been sedentary due to decreased activity tolerance, psychological constraints, and in some cases, physical disabilities. After the LAP-BAND® System procedure, aerobic activities – particularly walking and swimming – are generally the easiest for you to handle. Consult your physician or healthcare professional to find out which activity is right for you.

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Support Group Meetings

You will need a strong support network to help you succeed in your weight-loss journey. In addition to the care and concern of your family and friends, local support group meetings are another valuable resource. During these meetings, patients like yourself share their experiences and issues, and they give each other advice. A nurse or physician may also be present at these meetings to answer questions. Ask your LAP-BAND® System physician about his or her specific support group.

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