After Lap Band Surgery
Lap-Band guide after surgery with sample bariatric friendly menu items.
The Hunger Scale
1. Your stomach acid is churning, and you feel very weak.
2. You feel uncomfortable and irritable.
3. Your stomach is growling and you are hungry.
4. You feel a little hungry and uncomfortable.
5. Satisfied and comfortable, but you could eat a little more.
6. Satisfied and comfortable.
7. Full.
8. Bloated and full.
9. Uncomfortably full.
10. Stuffed. You are so full, you feel sick.
Additional Tips
- Eat 2 to 3 meals per day. No snacking.
- Take 1-2 bites, wait 10 minutes before you take your next bite.
- Choose bulky food that will leave you full and satisfied longer.
- DO NOT drink your calories: Only water, crystal light, or sugar-free drinks. Stay away from soda.
- Wait 45 minutes after you take the last bite of your meal before you drink any liquids.
Coping With Food Triggers
- Eat only sitting down at one designated place
- Sit in a different seat at the table
- Leave the table as soon as eating is done
- Do not combine eating with other activities, such as reading or watching TV
- Do not put bowls of food on the table
- Do not keep trigger foods at home
- Keep all food in cupboards where it cannot be seen
- Shop for groceries from a list after a full meal
- Limit the amount of money taken when shopping
- Plan meals and snacks
- Plan for special events, parties, and dinners
- Freeze leftovers in individual containers
- Ask others to monitor eating patterns and provide positive feedback
- Substitute other activities besides snacking
Examples of a Full Liquid Diet
Everything in the Clear Liquid Diet Above
Nonfat/Skim milk
Low-calorie soy milk
Weak coffee
Clear juices such as apple or grape juice. Can be diluted with water
Vegetable soup without the chunks such as tomato, cauliflower, and pumpkin soup (strained)
Low-Fat Yogurt
Sugar-free popsicle
Protein shake
Pureed Food: Week 2
During the transition from full liquid diet to a pureed food diet it is important to listen to your body to see if you will be able to tolerate puree foods comfortably. In about a week, you will be able to transition to the next consistency, which are soft foods. Make sure to only continue if you are able to tolerate foods in the previous step comfortably. It is not a race to get to the next step, take your time until you are comfortable to reach the next consistency stage. Remember to stop eating if you feel discomfort or pressure.
How to make a simple puree:
How to make a simple puree:
- Step 1: Cut food in to small pieces and place in to a food processor or blender
- Step 2: Add liquid (such as water, low fat chicken broth or apple juice) to cover the blades
- Step 3: Blend until smooth apple sauce like consistency
- Step 4: Strain out any pieces of food, seeds or lumps
- Step 5: Add spices to flavor the puree. Avoid hot spices such as hot sauce, cayenne, and jalapeno peppers)