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LAP-BAND PATIENT INFORMATION - POST OPERATIVE ADVICE
To reduce the risk of complications following Lap-Band surgery it is important that patients:
Attend for regular follow-up with their specialist
Follow the dietary advice given by their specialist and the Lap-Band handbook
Contact their specialist immediately if they experience any problems
Ensure that any medication they take is in a liquid or dispersible form (it is wise to check with the specialist if any new medication is prescribed)
Send in their weight-loss charts on a regular basis and rebook to see the specialist when their weight-loss slows or stops for re-adjustment of their Lap-Band
Ensure that adjustment of their Lap-Band is done by their specialist.
POST-OPERATIVE DIET
Immediately after surgery all patients must stick to the post-operative diet which is detailed in the Lap-Band handbook. This is a strict liquid diet for 2 to 3 weeks followed by a Puree diet for a further 2 to 3 weeks. On commencement of the solid food diet it is very important for patients to set aside time for each small meal and to eat slowly; chewing well; allowing each swallow plenty of time to go down. After each swallow, before the next, it is important that the patient assess the sensation they feel with each swallow so that by this learning process they can start to appreciate the new sensation of comfortable fullness. Doing so will prevent overfilling of the gastric micro-pouch which may lead to pain and discomfort or regurgitation. It can not be over-stressed that as soon as the patient feels a sensation of comfortable fullness eating must stop and the food disposed of even if there is a small amount of food on the plate. Use a small tea plate to dish out the portion and if one finds that food is regularly left over use a smaller plate or dish out less.
Do not take liquids with your meals
Do not put food remaining on your plate to one side "to finish off 15 to 30 min later"
Do not eat chocolates and do not drink alcohol - liquids high in calories (yes, chocolate is a liquid by the time it reaches your band!) will pass easily through the band.
LAP-BAND ADJUSTMENT
Adjustments may be done in outpatients or under X-ray control. Your specialist will advise you of how these are done and which is appropriate for your circumstances. On the day of an adjustment it is sensible to stick to liquids before the adjustment. After the adjustment you must follow the advice given to you by your specialist.
must stick to the same liquid diet that you followed after the operation for the first week following an adjustment.
Then the same puree diet that you followed after the operation for the second week following an adjustment before going back to solid food.
When going back to solids do not assume that you will be able to eat the same range of foods. Be careful and re-experiment. Stop when comfortably full.
If you experience new symptoms such as heartburn contact your specialist.
Alert your specialist immediately if you experience any problems.
Please note that this information is designed to help promote understanding of the conditions described. It does not serve as a guide to diagnosis or treatment. You should always consult your General Practitioner who is qualified to give you expert medical advice. Surgical techniques are constantly being modified and improved- please ask your surgeon for information regarding the technique, associated risks and complications. As with all medical treatments no guarantee of success is offered or implied
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