Searching for an answer to being overweight, many individuals have turned to TopSurgeons for their weight loss solutions.
Lap Band surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that places a band in the upper part of the stomach to restrict the amount of food consumed. Individuals still receive the required amount of nutrients, but do not eat as much, thereby allowing for weight reduction.
When the procedure begins, a TopSurgeons doctor will perform a series of tiny incisions, then use a small camera, called a laparoscope, to visualize placement of the Lap Band. The Lap Band is situated around the top of the stomach and fastened in place with sutures. The port is then situated below the skin on the top part of the abdomen.
Surgery generally lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, and oftentimes an overnight stay in the hospital may not be necessary.
Once the patient has had the procedure and begins the recovery process, they will then return as needed to TopSurgeons for a band adjustment.
Injecting saline into the port inflates the band, making the route to the lower part of the stomach smaller, which further prohibits food intake. Fluid can easily be removed in the doctor's office if the patient is finding it too tight.
Periodic lap band adjustments are a portion of the ongoing post-surgical treatment drawn up for each individual. Patients generally return to work in a week or so following Lap Band surgery, and return to their pre-surgery condition in one to three weeks.
Once you have had Lap Band surgery, you will begin a transitional period. The transition period includes discovering and maintaining a proper diet and exercise regimen as you transition into the new you.
One of the most important parts of the transition period from having the surgery to the post-surgery period is the diet.
Immediately following Lap Band surgery one's nutritional intake will involve only liquids during the first week.
During this portion of the recovery, your stomach will only be able to work with thin liquids. Those liquids that are available to you during this period include water, fruit juices, milk (only skim milk), and chicken or beef broth, sugar free popsicles, and other likewise items.
Liquids to Food
The transition will continue to evolve as patients then move from liquids to foods. In weeks two and/or three, the all-liquid diet that was necessary in the days after Lap Band surgery will be followed by only pureed foods. Individuals can expect to eat only pureed foods for about two weeks after the all-liquid phase of the post-Lap Band surgery diet.
At this point you begin to introduce minimally textured foods. The consistency individuals will be searching for in acceptable foods is like that of baby food.
During this phase individuals should focus on eating foods rich in proteins first, and then allow for vegetables and fruits.
In week 4 and/or 5, individuals are able to move from pureed foods and transition to soft foods that include a small portion of greater substance. Among the foods offered at this point will be flaky fish and ground turkey.
Regular eating will follow soon after, but individuals are reminded that staying focused on a healthy diet and instituting or maintaining healthy physcial activity will be key to getting to the weight loss goal you want and staying there.
For more information about Lap Band, call 1-800-953-5000.
