The
second
phase of
the
Lap-Band
diet
consists
of 5 to
6 weeks
of a
modified
full
liquid
diet;
the key
component
of this
phase is
consuming
two
ounces
of a
protein
shake
every
hour for
ten to
twelve
hours a
day with
two
ounces
of other
liquids
such as
soup,
baby
food, or
sugar-free
gelatin
three
times a
day.
During
the
second
six
weeks
following
Lap-Band
surgery
patients
may eat
food
that is
shredded
in a
food
processor
prior to
eating.
The
basic
foods on
the
Lap-Band
diet
include
meats or
other
forms of
protein,
vegetables,
and
salads.
The
Lap-Band
diet
does not
include
most
bread,
potatoes
and
other
starchy
vegetables.
The
length
of these
phases
may be
altered
according
a
patient’s
personal
weight
and
weight
loss
goals –
my first
phase is
five
weeks,
followed
by a two
week
second
phase.
Protein
is
especially
important
following
Lap-Band
surgery.
After
Lap-Band
surgery
the
stomach
will
never
hold
more
than 4
to 6
ounces
per
meal, so
making
every
bite
count is
essential
for
healthy
and
nutritionally
rounded
weight
loss
success.
Lap-Band
patients
are
advised
to
consume
fifty to
sixty
grams of
protein
daily to
avoid
protein
deficiency.
Protein
deficiency
causes
hair
loss,
fatigue,
edema,
muscle
weakness,
and a
delay in
wound
healing.
A lack
of
adequate
protein
may also
lead to
depression,
anxiety,
irritability,
apathy,
and
other
mental
health
conditions,
as well
as cause
a number
of
physical
health
issues
from
gallstones
to
colds,
headaches,
low
blood
pressure,
anemia,
irregular
hear
rates,
and, in
extreme
cases,
death. A
lab can
measure
the
amount
of
protein
in your
blood by
performing
a serum
albumin
blood
test.
Eating
after
Adjustable
Gastric
Lap-Band
surgery
means
taking
tiny
bites,
and
eating
very
slowly.
You
should
think of
your new
stomach
as a
“baby”
stomach.
You’ll
be
drinking
protein
shakes
and
relearning
eating
skills
much the
same way
as a new
baby
eats
formula
(or
breast
milk),
and
slowly
adds new
foods
from
blended
baby
foods to
chunkier
baby
foods.
Certain
foods
may
never be
well
tolerated
by
Lap-Band
patients.
These
foods
include:
-
Meats
that
are
especially
tough
such
as
steak
and
pork
chops.
Some
Lap-Band
patients
have
difficulty
digesting
other
meats
that
contain
gristle
such
as
hamburger.
-
Oranges
and
grapefruits
may
not
be
tolerated
unless
the
membrane
is
removed
before
eating.
-
The
seeds
and/or
skins
of
all
fruits
and
vegetables.
-
High
fiber
vegetables
such
as
celery
and
sweet
potatoes.
-
Spicy
foods.
-
Fried
foods.
-
Certain
spices
including
cinnamon,
pepper,
or
onion
or
garlic
salt.
-
If
you
are
unable
to
tolerate
milk,
it’s
important
to
add
other
calcium
and
protein
rich
foods
such
as
cottage
cheese.
Dry
milk
can
be
added
to
foods
for
added
protein.
Any
medicine
you take
may need
to be
adjusted
following
Lap-Band
surgery
since
you will
not be
able to
swallow
pills
that are
aspirin-size
or
larger,
or
capsules
or
irregular-shaped
pills.
For me
this has
meant
breaking
a blood
pressure
pill in
half,
changing
my
tri-estrogen
capsules
to a
cream
form,
and
taking
liquid
antibiotics
and
painkillers
for an
unrelated
infection.
