- Following surgery, you will be served a liquid diet that will consist of juice and jello. You will find that you can barely eat at first, but it is important eat a small amount of each item served. Eat until you feel full. When you are able to tolerate liquids, you will be served a soft diet. Your breakfast will consist of items like a soft egg, oatmeal, juice and milk. Your lunch and dinners will have pureed meats, vegetables and fruits. A pureed diet is necessary because chunks of food can obstruct the opening in the area of your stomach where the food leaves, causing you to vomit. This is also a painful experience. You will be on a pureed diet for the first two weeks after your lap band surgery.
- By the time you have reached the third week, you can start adding some soft foods. Cottage cheese, cheese slices, scrambled eggs and fish are good foods to add at this time. You can slowly begin to add vegetables like beans and peas. Baked potatoes without the skin can be added to your diet. Soft fruits can be a part of your diet now, too. It is extremely important to chew your food thoroughly every time you eat to prevent pain and vomiting. Another important thing to remember is to drink plenty of water in between meals.
- By the fourth week, you will be ready to add ground meats to your diet. Start with ground beef, veal, chicken and turkey. Remember to chew your food well. You will find that you can tolerate some foods well, but have trouble with other foods. You may have trouble with tough meats, like hamburger. They are harder for your stomach to digest. The membranes in oranges and grapefruits and the skins on fruits are also hard to digest. You will probably want to avoid corn, chili and other spicy foods. Fried foods may also cause you indigestion after a lap band. Always remember to eat a healthy, protein-filled diet in order to get all of the nutrients you need. Incorporate milk or milk products into your diet regularly.
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