Certain changes to your lifestyle and diet will be necessary after undergoing stomach banding in Utah. These changes promote the benefits that lap band surgery can offer and help prevent complications.
Following surgery, you will need to follow a liquid diet for four days. Over the next six weeks, you will transition into protein shakes and food that has been shredded in a food processor. By week twelve, you may be prepared to start eating whole foods again.
One of the most important aspects of the changes following lap band surgery is to remember that the new stomach can only hold up to six ounces for each meal. This means that you will have to consume tiny bites of food and chew very slowly. Because the portions are small, it’s important to carefully measure the food you are consuming to make sure you are getting between 50 to 60 grams of protein each day.
While you will be able to work in many foods as part of your new diet, some foods will not be part of your new lifestyle. They include the following:
- Carbonated drinks because they result in bloating and can increase the size of the stomach.
- Tougher meats, such as steak or pork chops.
- Oranges and grapefruits with the membrane still intact.
- Fruit seeds or skins
- High fiber foods, such as sweet potatoes.
- Spicy and fried foods.
- Spices such as pepper, cinnamon and onion salt.
- Caffeinated beverages should also be avoided during the first three months of recovery.
Following stomach banding in Utah you may also have to make adjustments to the medicines you take. You will be unable to take pills larger than the size of an aspirin, and this may require taking liquid medicines and splitting pills in half.