Question:
What kind of diet does lap band surgery require before hand?

I have been reading a lot of questions and answers concerning Bariatric surgery, most of what I read is from bypass patients, not so many lap band patients. Do you have to be on a liquid diet for two weeks before surgery and two weeks after? I am still in the initial phase of gather information, have no date for surgery yet, only saw the surgeon once along with the nurse. I still want to get as much information as possible concerning Lap Band before having the procedure done. Also, during the day, do you have to eat many mini meals? I work in a clinic setting and see patients all day, not much time for a coffee break, never less a pee break...any help on these matters would greatly be appreciated.    — Farmgirl58 (posted on October 29, 2008)

October 29, 2008
Not everyone checks the Q & A board so you may want to head over to the Lap Band and/or Realize Band forums where you can post your questions. You'll probably get alot more imput there.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 29, 2008
I had LapBand in '06, I guess I fall in the "Veteran" catagory but am in this for life. All surgeons are a little bit different, so you will have to follow exactly what yours says. In the meantime, we here can tell you our experiences. I was a self pay, so needless to say, things happened very quickly for me. I had to do a clear liquid diet for 3 days prior to surgery and for 6 days after. UGH! Was a true test of my comittment and determination. To be completely honest, I was miserable as I am one of those people who when my system hears the term "clear liquids"- gets diarrhea, add that to the antibiotics in the hospital and let's just say I was very cleansed. In addition to the LapBand, I had open hernia repair from my previous gallbladder surgery with an 8 " incision so I was pretty miserable. I had a one overnight stay in the hospital because I have obstructive sleep apnea. On the clear liquid diet, I was tired and weak... that is to be expected after major surgery. Lots of gas and pain, walking and liquid Lortab and an adjustable bed were just the ticket. I followed my surgeon's instructions to the letter. Post op day 7, I moved on to scrambled eggs, cottage cheese and the like... I was sooo happy let me tell you. I can't locate my paperwork, but it just kept getting better after that. The only thing that upset me about my surgeon is that he only gave me 9 days off. I am a nurse and thank goodness I had my teammates really took up for and protected me or I wouldn't have made it through that initial time back at work. I walked and healed and weight slowly came off. I must say that I was extremely disappointed at my one week checkup when I lost 6#. I just knew for the amount of "suffering" I felt I went through, it was going to be a really big number. I was in tears when the surgeon walked in and apologized that no one had told me exactly what to expect at that first visit. Between the IV fluids and the trauma of surgery, some people actually gain weight after surgery. He also reminded me that I had survived 2 major surgeries, was no longer a diabetic and my blood pressure pill already had to be cut in half in just one week AND lost 6#. That really put things into perspective for me... a wonderful man and surgeon seriously. I had an attempt at my first fill at 4 weeks, my port couldn't be accessed because of all of my swelling so we post-poned it one week. He also drained a HUGE amount of fluid from my abdomen which made me feel much better. I wish he did that before he weighed me... haha. Week 5, I had my first fill and had a little restriction. Within the next month or so had a couple of fills and got plenty of restriction. Because I had a lot to lose, he was pretty aggressive with me. Time seemed to fly and by 6 months I had lost 100#! By 9 months I had lost 135# and was off all meds except antidepressant which I will be on for life. I spent my one year surgiversary with my 16 year old daughter and her best friend at Niagra Falls and Canada. They had a hard time keeping up with me at times. Then, life happened and I found out exactly why we are told over and over that this is supposed to happen slowly and is a life long comittment to eating healthy and wellness. The one thing I know now I wish I knew then is to ALWAYS put myself first. My dad became critically ill and I travelled a lot between here (FL) and there (NY) and went back to old habits of stress eating and anesthetizing my pain and stresses of life with food. Gain some, lose some.... one step forward, 2 steps back. There were times when I would cancel appointments because I didn't want to face the scales and my surgeon which the complete opposite of what I should have been doing. Life is hard, being a grown up is hard and there is always gonna be stress... how we choose to deal with those times is a true test of long term success. And, if you hit a speed bump- it is important to look at what happened, why it happened, forgive yourself and get over it quickly. That is a wonderful thing with the band... tomorrow is always another day toward the path to health and wellness. Long story short, this has been the most worthwhile, most difficult undertaking I have ever done. I have never for one minute regretted my decision, I just underestimated how much work it was going to be. My surgeon says the Band is a 45 minute surgery on one day of your life and a helping hand, the rest if up to you and it is sooo true. It takes the daily decision to do the right thing. Mini meals- no and yes. We don't do the 5 or 6 small meal thing as with some RNY'ers... we don't have malabsorption. My surgeon has very stern rules as far as this goes... 3 meals, no snacks, 70% protein, 30% veggies, eat all meat first and then move on to veggies, water all day just not within 30 minutes of meals and at least 10 minutes exercise per day, no more than 30 gms carbs per day. Once I got a good amount of restriction, I began to use the smallest sized Glad containers which are 4 oz each for portion control and for convenience going to work. You are going to need to become friends with the bathroom as you are going to be drinking LOTS of water- at least 64 oz per day... I drink a gallon of distilled water most days. The more you drink, the more you'll go. All parts of this endeavor are mandatory forever to be successful. If you add carbs or cut back on liquids or exercise... the scales will reflect it. Some insurances require that you do a 6 month diet before surgery- does yours? I'm in my third year, I still have a way to go and will never, never give up. I hope this helps, good luck. Sorry if I was too chatty. Dawn V.
   — DawnVic

October 29, 2008
Welcome to the 'journey'. I am a newbie and just had the Realize band 10/6/08. I had a two week pre op diet with protein shakes and one meal a day. Post op I was on liquids for two weeks, now on the 'mush' for two weeks. Mush would be normal food that is pureed for easier consistency. Now all doctors are different but my doctor has me doing three normal meals a day- and if you are not going to have a lot of time then you do protein drinks. They are not as bad as they sound. Eating isn't the hard part of the clinical setting as far as I know... its the getting your fluids in. Good Luck!
   — amybellock

October 30, 2008
hi Sheila, I had a Lap Band surgery 2 weeks ago, and still have the emails form my surgeon concerning the pre-op and post-op diets. The pre-op depends on your BMI. Some doctors don't even require one if your BMI is <45. If you (or anybody else) want all the detail, email me : [email protected] . I'll be glad to forward you the whole thing!
   — ghis31

October 30, 2008
Well congratulations on taking the next step on healthy lifestyle! Just wanted to let you know that you will be on liquids for 2 wks. post op and then 2 wks. of mushie foods. As far as liquids prior to surgery it just depends on your doctor. I was asked to replace a meal for a wk. prior to surgery but that's it. A couple of days prior to surgery I did a bowel prep to clean my stomach and the day before surgery I was on only clear liquids but nothing but liquids. I hope this help let me know if I can be of more help. I'm post op 1mo. 1/2.
   — CLAUDIA J.

October 30, 2008
My surgeon didn't require the pre op diet, I ate up until midnight the day before the surgery and then was on liquids for a week, then mushy foods, then soft foods for three days. I had it 4-16-08 and down 65 pounds and lots of inches. Like others have said all surgeons are different and have different requirements. Good Luck on your decision. Diane
   — dyates2948

November 13, 2008
I did not have to go on liquid diet before surgery. I ate all my favorite foods before surgery. But was on liquid diet for four weeks post op. Started on just clear, then instant breakfast and then pureed food for too long. My surgeon recomends 3 meals and 2 to three snacks. But a snack is a cheese stick or a protein bar. I even eat protein bars for a meal if I am too busy. Fav is South beach diet cause it is 19 grams protein and 6 grans fiber. But you pee a lot. drinking 64 oz a day makes everyone go. good luck. as others said reading the sites really really help
   — aliann