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Before having lap band surgery your doctor will put you on a special diet for about two to three weeks. Studies have shown if you lose 5-6 kilos before surgery, your weight loss will be more successful afterwards. This diet decreases the size of your liver; making surgery safer and easier for both Surgeon and patient. It is important you are committed to this process and will help prove you are a good candidate for the band surgery and new habits this will involve.
For the first 10-12 weeks you should take liquid or chewable vitamins to compensate for your modified post operative diet. You will be required to maintain a liquid diet for the first 21 days and soft foods for a couple of weeks thereafter. A near normal diet will commence again around 5 weeks after your operation.
After lap band surgery you will be eating a healthy balanced diet so you can lose weight as well as receive good nutrition. A dietician will help you devise a diet that is high in protein, low in fats, carbohydrates and sugars. You will be asked to eat more whole grains, vegetables and fruit.
Weight loss after lap band surgery is at a little slower pace than with other weight loss surgeries. The average amount lost is one to four kilos per month. It may take up to 12 - 18 months to meet your goal weight. To speed up weight loss you could start a regular exercise program utilising your visits to the exercise physiologist as well as making wise food choices.
Lap band surgery is for patients that are morbidly obese. A body mass index of 35-40 is usually required although a lower number may be accepted if accompanied by medical conditions being made worse by obesity, for example sleep apnoea.
Although complications are less common with lap band surgery when compared to other bariatric surgeries, they may still occur. The most common are port repositioning, band slippage, band leakage, gastritis, bloating, nausea, dehydration, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Many of the above complications are readily avoidable by following simple banding rules, i.e. chewing 20-30 times, not rushing eating your food. This surgery is not considered a suitable treatment for eating disorders like bulimia and is also not recommended for patients with unstable medical conditions like advanced heart disease or end stage renal disease.
The decision to have lap band surgery should be made based upon your own individual medical history and after careful discussion of the risks and benefits with your Surgeon.
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