BMI Calculator

Testimony

 

 

 

Support: Dietary Information for Lap-Band® Patients

What do I need to know?

The Lap-Band® is effective in:

  1. reducing the volume of food that you can eat in once sitting
  2. reducing hunger and making you feel fuller for longer

With a Lap-Band® you can eat a normal healthy diet, but you will only be able to tolerate very small portion sizes of about ½ cup or the size of a bread and butter plate per meal. You may find some foods a little tricky, including soft white breads, skins/husks on fruit and vegetables, rice and dry meats. However, if you follow the guidelines and eat slowly and work closely  with your dietitian, you will be sure to tolerate a wide variety of good quality foods in small amounts. Eating slowly and chewing your food well is the key to your success . Plan ahead and make time to prepare good quality meals and try to eat slowly. Savour what you can eat and don’t think of what you cant have! www.greatideas.net.au Diet

Diet before and immediately after Surgery

Stage 1.

For 2 weeks prior to your surgery, you will need to be on a meal replacement (Optifast®). The idea for this is to reduce the size of your liver. This helps to reduce the risk of complications during the surgery. Your dietitian will explain this diet to you in your pre-operative dietary session. You will also be taken through the expectations and meal plans in preparation for once you have had the surgery.

Stage 2.

In hospital, you will be seen by a dietitian who will be available discuss hospital care, clear fluid diet and assist you with your questions. These Dietitians will also explain your dietary needs immediately post operative and provide additional support as needed. Basically, you will need to commence a low fat high protein fluid diet post surgery, this is to reduce the swelling. You will then slowly introduce new foods until you reach an “normalised diet”, this process will be guided by the dietitians  once you are out of hospital who you will see in 4-6 weeks after your band placement. Once out of hospital you are not alone, if you need a diet related question answered please email the dietitians at
info@optimalwellnessandnutrition.com.au for support.

Stage 3 and onwards

Once out of hospital you will visit your surgeon (Dr Paul Anderson) and have your first band fill, from this point you will commence your post operative education on life with the Lap-Band® - you will have a choice of group sessions or 1 to 1 individualised counselling. See reception for details.

What are the rules for success with the Lap-Band ®:

It is important that you follow these rules for the rest of your life with the band, this is to ensure that you lose your optimal amount of weight and that you become as healthy as you possibly can. It may look daunting now but with time they become your new habits!

  1. Eat slowly, chew your food well, and when you sense fullness/comfort – stop!
  2. Eat 3 small evenly spaced meals per day –try to avoid grazing and don’t skip your meals
  3. Separate food & fluids – avoid drinking with meals
  4. Choose good quality foods from each of the food groups and introduce foods one at a time
  5. Exercise regularly and set realistic goals
  6. Take your multivitamin daily

What is a Healthy Diet

After years of dieting, some people have forgotten how to eat a normal, healthy diet and often loose the ability to understand their hunger signals. It is a good idea to practice healthy eating habits before you have your surgery and understand the barriers you may have in keeping yourself on track once the Lap-Band® is placed – such as emotional eating; family/friend sabotage or lack of preparation. It is important to discuss these with your dietitian. A balance intake includes foods from all food groups which are:

Include all of the 5 Core Food Groups each day. These are:

Once the band has been placed the types of foods you choose from each food group will change – focus on what you CAN have.

  1. Breads and cereals - pasta, rice, cereal, legumes, breads and crackers
  2. Low fat Dairy – milk, yoghurt, cheese
  3. Vegetables – salad and vegetables
  4. Fruit – fresh fruit, dried fruit, canned fruit and fruit juice
  5. Meat & meat alternatives – meat, poultry, fish, canned tuna, nuts, legumes, tofu.

Also remember to stay hydrated – aim to have at least 1.5-2L of water daily (including diet jelly, diet cordial, clear soups)