What to Expect After Adjustable Gastric BandingAdjustable gastric banding surgery is a popular bariatric procedure designed to help obese people lose a significant amount of weight. Learn more about what you can expect after adjustable gastric banding. Immediately After Adjustable Gastric Banding SurgeryBefore you can eat solid foods again, your body will need time to heal from surgery and adjust to the band that's been placed on your stomach. Your surgeon will likely recommend a liquid diet for two weeks, followed by a two-week period of eating very soft or pureed foods. As your body begins to heal, you'll be able to work yourself back up to solid foods. In most cases, the band is not filled with fluid during surgery. This means that you might not notice a significant decrease in how much you can eat right away. This does not mean that the surgery was unsuccessful. Within four to six weeks of your surgery, your doctor will inject a saline solution into your access port, tightening the band and effectively restricting how much food you can eat. Getting Fills After Adjustable Gastric Banding SurgeryYour first fill will usually take place four to six weeks after surgery. During the first year, you may need to have the amount of fluid in your band adjusted four to six times. It's important to have regular follow-up appointments with your doctor and to clearly communicate how much you can comfortably eat so that he or she can make sure the band is properly adjusted. Eating After Adjustable Gastric Banding SurgeryAfter surgery, you may notice a difference in the types of food you can comfortably eat. Because you now have a smaller pouch stomach, you should notice that you can only eat about four ounces of food at a time. However, sometimes you may find you can eat less, and other times you may be able to eat more. It's important that you "listen to your band" and only eat until you're full, otherwise you may experience nausea or vomiting. Your doctor will also instruct you to eat meals that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates, to chew your food carefully, and to avoid eating and drinking at the same time. Losing Weight After Adjustable Gastric Banding SurgeryPeople who have gastric banding surgery usually lose weight more gradually than people who undergo other types of weight loss surgeries. It's common to expect an initial weight loss of two to three pounds per week, and then a continual loss of one to two pounds per week. You will likely lose two-thirds of your excess weight within two years of having the surgery. |
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