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What should I expect after I have Lap-Band surgery?

After you get home from the hospital, you need to allow yourself enough time to recover properly. Get plenty of rest, but do try to walk as much as you can comfortably, to prevent blood clots. Do not lift anything heavy. You can expect some soreness the first few days after surgery, but your surgeon will prescribe medications to treat any pain.

You can most likely return to light work in a few days to a week, but if you have a physically demanding job, you may have to wait two to three weeks. You should also be able to return to normal activity and regular exercise within four to six weeks. We will provide you with specific instructions to help guide you after the procedure.

Here’s an example of some basic guidelines:

• For the first 24 hours after surgery, you can have an occasional sip of water or suck on an ice cube.
• For the first couple of weeks, you will be on a liquid diet as you gradually move toward pureed and soft foods.
• About six weeks after surgery, you should be able to eat solid food again.
• During recovery, it is important to drink plenty of water, although never with your meals.
• Remember that eating the wrong foods or eating too much can cause vomiting and interfere with your healing process.
• You also need to start engaging in physical activity and exercise within a few weeks after surgery. At first, it may be hard for you to exercise as much as you should, but it’s important both physically and emotionally to get started.
• Taking it slow at first, try to walk as much as you comfortably can. It’s a great way to regain strength and prevent blood clots.

Nutrition:
After your surgery, you’ll need a new nutrition and exercise plan. Since you will only be able to eat a small amount at any meal, you need to make good food choices. It is recommended that you eat only when you are hungry and no more than three small meals a day. Make sure that these meals contain adequate nutrients. You will also need to learn to eat slowly and chew your food very thoroughly. Drinking high-calorie liquids (like milkshakes or soda), or drinking liquids during or immediately after meals can drastically reduce the effectiveness of the Lap-Band system. However, it is important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water throughout the day.

Exercise:
You will also need an exercise program to help you lose weight. You can start with walking. The more weight you lose, the easier it should get. Gradually, you will be able to expand your program to include more active forms of exercise such as bicycling, jogging, and aerobics.