What to Expect After Surgery

After you get home from the hospital, allow yourself ample time to recover. Get plenty of rest and do not lift anything heavy, but do try to walk as much as comfort allows (to prevent blood clots). You can expect some soreness in the first few days after surgery, but your surgeon will prescribe medications to help alleviate any pain. You can most likely return to light work in a few days to a week, although in the case of physically demanding jobs, it may be two to three weeks. You should also be able to return to normal activity and regular exercise within four to six weeks. Be sure to follow specific instructions provided by your surgeon and medical team.



The First Few Weeks After Surgery

Your weight-management team will help you with your new lifestyle and eating habits. It is very important to follow their instructions immediately after the operation to allow the new stomach structure to heal completely and the LAP-BAND® System to sit in the right position. This is your first job, so stay focused on allowing your body to recover from surgery.

Right after surgery, you can have an occasional sip of water or suck on an ice cube. Then, for the first couple of weeks, you will be on a liquid diet as you gradually move toward pureed and soft foods. Ultimately, you will be able to eat solid food again about six weeks after surgery. During recovery, it is important to drink plenty of water, although not with your meals. Remember that eating the wrong foods or eating too much can cause vomiting and interfere with the healing process.

You will also need to start engaging in physical activity and exercise within a couple of weeks after surgery. At first, your size may make it hard for you to exercise as much as you should, but get started. Taking it slow at first, try to walk as much as you comfortably can. It's a great way to regain strength and prevent blood clots.

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Adjustments

Adjustments are simple office visits that only take 10 or 15 minutes and are performed using a thin needle to inject or withdraw saline from the band via the access port. This widens or narrows the LAP-BAND® System opening to control the rate of weight loss. The most common reasons for adjustments include: (1) you are not able to eat much of anything without feeling uncomfortable and vomiting (your LAP-BAND® System is too tight); (2) you can eat without restriction or you are not losing weight (your LAP-BAND® System is too loose).

Only a clinician trained and authorized by Allergan Health can adjust your band. This person usually will be your surgeon or nurse practitioner. Never let an untrained clinician or non-medical person adjust your band�and never adjust it yourself. Doing so could cause serious problems and risks to your health or damage to your band.

Following the LAP-BAND® System placement procedure, the band is usually left empty for about four to six weeks after surgery, although the exact time will vary from patient to patient. You and your surgeon will decide when the time is right for your first band adjustment. To determine this, your surgeon will consider:

  • Your weight loss so far,
  • The amount of food you can comfortably eat,
  • Your exercise routine, and
  • The amount of fluid already in your band.

Within the first year after surgery, many patients have between five and eight adjustments. Often, you might get only two to three small adjustments on an annual basis in later years.

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Long-Term Overview

After your surgery, you will need a new nutrition and exercise plan. Since you will only be able to eat a little at any given mealtime, you will need to make good food choices. It is recommended that you eat only three small meals a day and make sure that these meals contain adequate nutrients. You will also need to learn to eat slowly and chew your food very thoroughly. Drinking high-calorie liquids or drinking liquids during or immediately after meals is not a good idea as it can greatly reduce the effectiveness of the LAP-BAND® System. However, staying hydrated and drinking lots of water throughout the day is important.

You will also need an exercise program to help you lose weight. You can start with walking. The more weight you lose, the easier it should get. Gradually you will be able to expand your program to include more vigorous forms of exercise such as cycling, jogging, and aerobics.

In addition to these lifestyle changes, living with the LAP-BAND® System means routine check-ups with your surgeon, ongoing band adjustments if necessary, and regular attendance at support group meetings. Your weight-management team will have specific instructions for you, so be sure to follow them. Keep regular appointments with your healthcare providers so that they can keep track of your progress. You also need to promptly report any unusual symptoms you have to your surgeon.

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To learn more about the LAP-BAND® System and to ensure that you are well prepared for your surgery, it is recommended that you download and read the LAP-BAND® System patient booklet below.