LapBand Food Stages Lists Suggestions

:) Hi everybody --

This is my fifth day post surgery and I'm feeling great. My list of foods is a little different. For instance, I can eat small portions of oatmeal thinned with skim milk and I find this seems to go down the best. My nutritionist also recommended to have at least 64 oz fluid in phase I and to plan around 6 very small meals. After experimenting a bit, I've found I like to have 3 meals of Whey Protein powder mixed with 6 ounces of skim milk, 1 meal of oatmeal, 1 applesauce with a packet of ProCel added for extra protein, and 1 meal of either lentil or pea soup very well pureed in the blender. All of this gives me around 85 grams of protein, which the nutritionist says is most important, but also the oatmeal has been keeping things "moving along" if you know what I mean and the applesauce (no sugar added) is a nice sweet treat.

Right now because I'm still swollen from surgery all of this keeps me feeling very full. I'm most worried about getting to the regular food phase. I've seen many postings on this site from people eating pizza and other stuff (one recommended macaroni and cheese as a "soft food" during phase II). I wonder about this.

I hope everyone, especially those with new bands, are doing well. This certainly is an adventure!!!

Mags

A cup is 250 mL or 250 ccs

There are 8 liquid ounces in a cup. 16 ounces dry weight in one pound.

Thanks so much for the food stages lists. It is VERY helpful. I'm having surgery on Feb 22nd and have been wondering what I was going to eat afterwards. THANKS!!!!
:clap2:

Will someone please tell me, beans or no beans? In some info I have read it says beans are good but the paper from my doctor says beans are bad, even refried beans. Hmmm. I am going to a birthday party at a Mexican restaraunt tonight and am not sure what to order.

Hi, from what I have read is that beans are suppose to be good for you. They have lots of protein and I'm sure they are good for the Lap Band because they are mushy. I've read that alot of people when they go to a taco joint ,that is what they order is refried beans. I hope this helps. Have fun tonight. Wishing you continued success, you go girl!!

Minnesotalady:clap2:

Thanks Minnesotalady. I am going to eat the beans!

Good plan .KEEP UP THE GOOD THREADS

:clap2: :clap2: Good plan .KEEP UP THE GOOD THREADS

i do not suggest:

Skim or 1% milk
Soy milk
Milk Shakes - thinned
Gatorade or equivalent sports drink
Yogurt Smoothie Drinks - not including homemade

these all have carbs and will not allow you to loose weight as quickly as you want

gatorade is a deff NO NO.
drink propel. you get the flavor without the like 30+ grams of carbs and sugar.

milkshakes? i think not
smoothie drinks.... dont think so. loaded with sugar and carbs. the low carb ones arnt even worth drinking they taste bad and dont sit for long so you are hungry within the hours

im not going to go thru the whole list

but basically

if you want to loose the weight, use your brain and stay away from the carbs. They fill you up fast but you will not remain full and the second they go down you'll want more. which only makes ur liver fat and your body will just burn the carbs your storing in your liver and not the ones your storing in your fat

hi,

We have a new treatment for banded patients go to www.dietaunica.com to learn more. Thanks.:)

This is from my surgeons patient handbook

LAP–BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System Diet Instructions AFTER Surgery
• Stay away from carbonated or citrus drinks to decrease nausea – “sugared” drinks are OK for a source of carbohydrates at this time
• No foods that are “doughy” or “sticky” - like soft white bread, coconut, chips, popcorn, or dried fruits - they could obstruct the band
• Very fibrous foods such as broccoli, asparagus, celery, artichokes, pineapple, and rhubarb could also obstruct the band if not overcooked and cut into small pieces
• Food that is difficult to digest includes nuts, almonds, and peanuts
• Caffeinated drinks are not usually an issue
• Drink lots of water (48 oz – 64 oz/day). Avoid gulping water, sip small amounts slowly and gradually through a straw. You may find that cold water tastes better than lukewarm
• Do not drink while you eat or within an hour before and after eating
• If overeating occurs during the immediate post-operative phase, vomiting is expected with an increase risk of having the stomach tissue slip up through the band.

IMMEDIATE POST OP DIET: Ice chips, 30ml of water every 15 min or nothing by mouth. A barium swallow (Upper Gastrointestinal study) is scheduled the next morning after surgery.
DAY ONE: Clear liquids only (liquids you could see through), broth, Jell-O, apple juice, tea or popsicles. There are also clear protein drinks – Ultra Cal Liquid (Mead Johnson), Isopur (GNC store – raspberry, punch, or orange, has O carbs and whey protein), and Enlive (Ross – 10g of protein per 8 oz). It is common to have post-op swelling around the Band as a result of surgery. Do not be alarmed if you are unable to tolerate or swallow liquids easily. You will be monitored for this in the hospital, then discharged.
FIRST TWO WEEKS: Transition to liquid diet including skim milk and tomato juice (a good source of protein and can be tolerated by Lap Band patients, unlike Gastric Bypass patients). Continue with full liquids such as creamed soups and yogurt including a “protein shake” (Ensure Light, Boost, Instant Carnation Breakfast) at least twice a day. See detailed dietary guidelines for Lap Band patients.
TWO TO FOUR WEEKS: Pureed or blended foods (for example, applesauce, yogurt, creamy soups, cooked cream of wheat, farina, cream of rice, pudding). Patients can puree the following foods with skim/soy milk or broth: • Vegetables • Meats • Casseroles *Patients who eat solid food too soon run the risk of dislocating the band, thereby developing an enlarged upper gastric pouch.
Transitional Period to Solid Food on or about the FIFTH WEEK: Regular diet until first scheduled assessment for adjustment (sixth week post-op). Continue “Sugar-free” products. Expect to eat ½ cup of food at a time or 1 ounce – 1 ½ ounce by the 5th week Beware: the majority of patients will find it difficult, if not impossible, to eat whole chunks of meat, although ground beef is generally tolerated if well chewed.
Food must be chewed well. It is important to make good food choices. To avoid hairloss eat protein-rich foods first at every meal (3 meals a day). Alcohol has a lot of calories, and therefore should be avoided.

Hey, everybody! I just had my band put in last week by Dr. Jorge Rincon (San Antonio)! I've lost 8 pounds in 9 days! I feel pretty good! Anyways, I'm in stage 2 now and I've made a soup recipe that's pretty good to be a full liquid:
cream of chicken soup
chicken broth
salt
hot sauce or other seasoning
~Put these ingredients in the blender, then in the microwave for about a minute, and it takes pretty much like a real meal!

ok im like on day 14 and ready to go to the next food stage,but i have to say i barley made it to this stage...I cant eat one more can of soup or broth..i was Starving towards the end....well heres what im confused about..according to my packet i got from the hospital im on the pureed diet which gives me a small list of foods i can eat..heres what it says.Pureed food choices are pureed skinless chicken or fish,mashed potatoes with skim milk,skim milk with rice krispies,cheerios,or cornflakes. Now if i can eat rice krispies and cheerios why cant i eat tuna in a can?? I started to eat tuna thinking it was ok,but after reading the packet some more it says thats on the Next stage(day29 to 42) im just stressing on this dam list of things to eat..im trying my best to stick to it.

I guess the thing that surprises me most about the original post is that it says '1 or 1 1/2 cup per meal'...my understanding was that the pouch could only hold about 1/4 cup at a time...? I'm still on mush food for another week, so haven't gotten to the real food stage. I'm eating 4 oz. of food/meal and not starving, so I guess the band is tight enough to give me some restriction without being filled yet.