Educate Yourself for Success After Lap Band Surgery
As obesity has become a major issue in the U.S., many people are turning to weight loss surgery to shed extra pounds for good. One popular option is lap band surgery, which is considered safer than traditional gastric bypass surgery. The main reason is it doesn’t involve cutting the stomach and is done laparoscopically, meaning fewer surgery risks and a quicker recovery.
Lap band surgery involves placing a band around the stomach to make it smaller, which limits how much you can eat, leading to weight loss. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution; patients need to commit to significant lifestyle changes to achieve success.
**What to Expect After Lap-Band Surgery**
Right after the surgery, you might feel some discomfort and nausea due to the anesthesia, but this usually gets better within 24 hours. After an x-ray confirms the band is in the right place, you can go home to start your recovery.
The day following surgery, you should be able to walk around the house, but it’s recommended to take at least a week off work—maybe two if your job involves physical labor. It’s important to avoid lifting heavy objects or doing strenuous activities for a week. You can start jogging after two weeks and swim after eight weeks.
Surgeons typically schedule a follow-up appointment within ten days to ensure you’re healing well. About five weeks after surgery, they’ll adjust the band by adding or removing saline to perfect the fit, optimizing your weight loss.
**Changing Eating Habits**
Changing your eating habits is crucial for the surgery to be effective. Ignoring this can lead to severe complications. Initially, you’ll be on a liquid diet to help your body recover. Gradually, you’ll move on to soft foods and then solid food. It’s advisable to consult a dietician to help adjust your eating habits before surgery.
After lap band surgery, your stomach will only hold 3 to 8 ounces, so you’ll need to keep your food intake below 240 ml at each meal. Here are some dietary tips for lap band patients:
– Skip sugary or fatty foods.
– Drink 1 to 1.5 liters of water daily.
– Avoid drinking water for half an hour after meals.
– Stick to calorie-free drinks.
– Say no to carbonated and alcoholic beverages for six months post-surgery.
– Steer clear of dried nuts, seeded fruits, corn, nuts, and fibrous vegetables as they could block your digestive passage.
– Ensure you include fresh produce in every meal.
These guidelines are generally helpful, but always follow your dietician’s or surgeon’s specific recommendations.
**Finding Lap Band Support**
While lap band surgery itself is relatively straightforward for experienced surgeons, the real challenge starts post-operation. Severely obese patients can expect to lose 40 to 60 percent of their excess weight over 18 months. However, success heavily relies on the patient’s dedication to a healthy lifestyle.
It often helps to share experiences with others in the same situation, which is why most U.S. hospitals have weight loss support groups. For instance, at Marina Del Rey Hospital in Los Angeles, lap band surgery patients find a friendly and supportive environment to share their journey and get valuable support throughout their weight loss process.
