What to Expect
Recovery from LAP-BAND® surgery is relatively quick. True Results performs the LAP-BAND® procedure in specialized outpatient surgery centers. Your typical amount of time spent recovering in the surgery center is 4-5 hours, with most patients being able to return to work within a week or less. Dietary PlanAfter surgery, you'll need a new nutrition plan. You'll learn about the positive changes you can and need to make in your diet and lifestyle from your doctor and/or dietitian. It's very important to follow your new eating and drinking instructions immediately after the surgery. Though doctors differ in their post-surgery diet recommendations, the typical progression is: In the first few weeks after your LAP-BAND® System surgery, you will be on a liquid diet since only liquids will be tolerated by your stomach at that time. As you heal, you will gradually progress to pureed foods (three to four weeks post-op) and then soft foods (five weeks post-op). Finally, after about six weeks, you will be able to eat solid foods. Liquid Diet (1-2 weeks post-surgery) Your goal during the first few weeks is to protect the small stomach pouch so that you can heal properly. It can only tolerate liquids at this time. It's also important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water (small amounts at a time). Other liquids recommended during this phase include:
Pureed Foods (3-4 weeks post-surgery) Now, you can start adding slightly textured foods. Think of the consistency of baby foods. This stage will help you transition to more solid foods later. Protein is very important for maintaining muscle while you lose weight. So, you should eat protein-rich foods first, and then move on to fruits and vegetables. Foods in this stage may include:
Please note: In the first few weeks you may be able to eat foods that might not be allowed in your diet later, because they may contain too many calories. Remember, it's more important in the first few weeks to let your stomach adjust to the LAP-BAND® System than it is to lose weight. Also, your personal timing and progression into each dietary phase depends on your progress. In general, when it comes to your nutrition, you should follow the advice of your doctor and/or dietitian. Soft Foods (5 weeks post-surgery) Your meals can now include tender, cooked foods like fish and ground turkey. Now that you can chew, make it a habit to chew foods well. If you have dentures, be sure to cut your food into small pieces and chew your food thoroughly. If you don’t chew your food properly, you may experience vomiting, stomach irritation and swelling. You could also have stoma obstruction (obstruction of the stomach opening created by the LAP-BAND® System). Some products like bread, red meat, and rice may still cause you problems, so it is better to eat softer foods that are easier to digest. These might include foods such as moist white meat (chicken or pork) and fish. If solid foods cause any nausea and vomiting, go back to the liquid diet you had earlier. Then you can slowly add soft foods and eventually transition to solid foods. Always ask your doctor or dietitian for advice that is specific to you. Again, remember that vomiting may increase the incidence of band slippage, stomach slippage, or stretching of the small stomach pouch above the LAP-BAND®. AdjustmentsBeing able to adjust the band is a unique feature of the LAP-BAND® system and is a normal part of the post-surgery follow-up. This feature allows your surgeon to use the right level of restriction to meet your individual needs. Adjustments are simple office visits that only take 10-15 minutes, with your first one typically scheduled for 2-3 weeks after surgery. The total number of adjustments you receive depends on your individual weight-loss goals and results. Adjustments are performed after surgery and take about 10-15 minutes each time. The surgeon will use a fine needle to inject or withdraw fluid from your access port, which is located under your skin. The feeling is similar to the small pinprick you feel when you give blood. Sterile saline is used to adjust the band portion of the LAP-BAND® System. Saline is a type of salt water, just like your body's natural fluid, similar to tears. World-Class LAP-BAND® Aftercare Program by True ResultsTrue Results patients are provided world-class aftercare following their LAP-BAND® procedure. Our aftercare program is designed to help patients achieve success at maintaining a healthy weight and BMI. True Results helps patients achieve personal weight loss goals by providing adjustments (fills) as well as several other services involving clinical patient care. If a banded patient is experiencing problems following surgery or simply has a question for one of our friendly staff members, True Results is here to provide support and to help patients achieve weight loss for good. Through personalized (and beneficial) care, we do everything in our power to support each patient's individual healthcare plan and to help them stay on track. Patients are informed of their health trend which allows each individual to become proactive in their goals to improve their quality of life. We provide our exceptional aftercare program at all of our True Results Diagnostic Centers. Our current locations include Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Phoenix, Atlanta, Dallas and Fort Worth. Give us a call at 1-800-324-2694 or schedule a free informational Seminar to take the first step to achieving a healthy weight and improved quality of life. Support Groups We offer several educational opportunities as part of our commitment to patient care and successful surgical outcomes. These support groups typically meet monthly in each of the True Results markets. Patient support groups are designed for patients who have already had LAP-BAND® surgery. They provide a critical forum for patients to share common experiences, have questions answered, and gain encouragement from peers. Who should attend a support group? We encourage post-operative patients to attend a support group regularly. Since the needs of the pre-operative patient differ from those who have had the procedure, support groups are not open to prospective patients. Also, due to the adult-oriented topics and personal discussions which can occur at these meetings, we cannot accommodate children under 14. Please be sure to make child care arrangements before planning to attend a support group. Refer to the Support Group Calendar for updates and changes on topics, times and dates. Online Forum To complement our Support Groups, we have created an online forum for our patients to share their True Results LAP-BAND® stories, post questions for others in the community, and learn about other patients’ experiences. From tips on food and recipes, to helpful information to help you make your life-changing decision, mytrueresults.com is all about you. To find out more, just schedule a free informational seminar, or if you prefer, call 1-800-324-2694 to sign up for a free individual education session, at the True Results center nearest you. |
