Nutrition is critical in the success of your bariatric procedure. We give special attention both before and after surgery in order to decrease risks during surgery as well as aid you in long term success. Here are the guidelines for eating after a gastric band procedure.
Ways patients succeed
- Eat three meals a day spaced five hours apart
- Choose foods which are high in protein and low in fat
- Always eat proteins first
- Avoid sweets and foods high in fats
- Limit your portion size to less than a cup per meal
- Avoid drinking and eating at the same time
- Avoid carbonated and calorie-containing beverages
- Drink 64 ounces of water or non-calorie, non-carbonated beverages
- Exercise daily
Vitamins
If you eat a balanced diet every day, you may not need a daily supplemental multi-vitamin. We recommend taking one everyday. Since most of the multi-vitamin pills are fairly large and could possible block the small opening in your stomach pouch, you will need to select either a liquid daily multivitamin-mineral supplement or two children's chewable vitamins each day.
Caffeine
We don't advise to drink any beverages containing caffeine. Caffeine tends to increase the acids in the stomach causing irritation and heartburn pain. Caffeine is a diuretic (increases urination), which will increase the loss of water, certain vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Try decaffeinated beverages to replace the need.
Carbonation
Carbonation from soft drinks can build up in the small stomach pouch and cause bloating or stomach irritation, which can be very uncomfortable. The carbonation can cause the pouch to enlarge. One year after your surgery, if you want to try soft drinks, let the soda sit in a glass with ice for few minutes so that some of the gas is released. You should only try sugar-free (diet), caffeine-free sodas.