Gastric Band Diet

When deciding to have a gastric band procedure it is crucial

that you understand and follow a strict pre-operative and

post-operative diet.

Gastric band patients need to work with their band and make the correct dietary decisions in order for it to be as successful as possible.

Please see below the diet which every gastric band patient needs to adhere to for them to achieve their ultimate weight loss goal.

0-2 weeks Post-Surgery: Liquids Only

2-4 weeks Post Surgery: Soft Food

4 weeks and onwards: "Normal Eating"

Post-Operative Diet

0-2 weeks Post Surgery - Liquid Only

You are allowed only fluids from the time of your operation for 2 weeks. This will ensure optimum healing & hence allow maximum benefit from your surgical procedure.

As you will be only consuming fluids it is essential you follow all the guidelines. They are designed to; provide you with a balanced intake of energy, protein & all other nutrients, to ensure you have a good recovery, kick start your weight loss & boost general well-being.

You must not eat any solid food during this time – fluids are defined as liquids able to go through a straw.

It is essential you take a multivitamin / mineral & calcium supplement long term. You will need a chewable / liquid option during this phase. We recommend Centrum Chewable, Sanatogen Gold or Multibionta and Calcichew or Sevenseas Calcium Chewable. Some own brand products are also suitable just make sure they contain vitamins and minerals. Ask your pharmacist about any existing medication you take to see if it is available in liquid form.

Fluid - you should aim for 2.5 – 3.5 litres per day. This should be spread evenly throughout the day. Everyone has different fluid requirements, the best way to check you are well hydrated is to look at the colour of your urine. If it is pale, you are drinking enough, if it is dark e.g. straw coloured or darker or if there is very little, you need to drink more.

The recommended portion size for a cup of fluid is 200mls.

Fizzy drinks are not allowed. This is because gas and air cannot easily be expelled and can cause bloating and trapped wind. Fizzy drinks may also cause distension of the stomach wall that may result in band slippage.

Chewing gum is not allowed.

During this time you may feel hungry – this is normal & is caused by the stretch receptors in the stomach being upset during surgery. This will soon pass, keep motivated by knowing you are on the road to successful long term weight loss. However, some patients do not experience much of an appetite at this time - remember everyone is different.

Suitable Fluid Choices

*Semi-skimmed milk - 600ml (1 pint) per day – this should be fortified with skimmed milk powder e.g. Marvel / 5 Pints, follow individual manufacturers instructions – this is essential to add the required protein & nutrients to your daily intake
Soups / Milkshakes e.g. Slimfast – this is fortified with added nutrients – aim for 3 per day
Low calorie / reduced sugar squash, Diluted fruit juice (½ juice, ½ water)
Tea / herbal teas, Coffee,
‘Light’ Hot Chocolate
Water

*Semi skimmed milk is recommended at this stage as it contains essential fat soluble vitamins. If you can not take milk, please inform your nurse / dietitian or GP who will suggest suitable alternatives.

2-4 weeks Post Surgery - Soft Food

You will now be ready to start a soft diet. Aim for the consistency of cottage pie/ well cooked cauliflower cheese/scrambled egg - foods easily broken with a fork – avoid all crunchy foods/potato skins and salads at this stage.

Breakfast ideas

Scrambled egg / omelette / polenta / poached eggs
Porridge with skimmed / semi skimmed milk
Weetabix with skimmed / semi skimmed milk
Thick fruit smoothies with a selection of fruits / banana / strawberries / summer fruits / mangoes blended with low fat Greek yoghurt or skimmed milk

Lunch and Dinner ideas

Lean minced meat and blended casserole
Fish pie and pureed vegetables
Shepherds pie / Cottage pie
Thick blended vegetable soups / mushroom soup
Soft pasta in tomato based sauce
Low fat cottage cheese
Mashed avocado and 1 soft boiled egg
Soft poached salmon with mashed potatoes
Cauliflower cheese with fish and parsley sauce
Pureed vegetables with meals
Fish in parsley sauce with mushy peas
Mashed or pureed tofu / soya / quorn with vegetarian gravy / stock and mashed potatoes and pureed vegetables.
Well cooked lentils or dahl

Desserts

Pureed / stewed fruit with low fat custard
Mashed banana and low fat custard
Low fat / sugar yoghurt
Low fat / sugar mousse
Sugar free jelly / Low sugar sorbets
Low fat crème caramel / Angel delight / Blancmange
Low fat semolina / Fat free sponge soaked in fruit juice

Serve on a tea plate, drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. ONLY EVER drink fluids before your meal, not with your meal, allow at least 1 hour after a meal.

Always ensure a good protein portion at each meal- as a guide this should be the size of the palm of your hand.

4 weeks and onwards

Once you have reached this stage you will be able to resume ‘normal eating’ i.e. all textures of food. You will have been seen by the dietician or will have been sent an appointment to be seen in the near future. You will then be followed up by the dietician on a regular basis who will monitor your progress, help, support and guide you towards eating a healthier diet for life.

Breakfast ideas

Small banana and low fat yoghurts
Granary toast & low fat spread with sugar free jam or pure fruit puree
Melba toast and marmite
Branflakes / Shredded wheat / All Bran / Cornflakes / Special K/ Cereal bars / Fruit and Fibre with semi skimmed milk
Grapefruit segments and poached egg on toast
Fresh fruit salad with low fat fromage frais

Lunch / Dinner / Snack ideas

Jacket Potato
Cottage cheese / low fat cheese spread
Dutch crispbread / Ryvita / Rye bread / Melba toast / oatcakes / ricecakes / pitta / water biscuits / bread sticks
Pasta / Rice / Cous cous / Noodles *caution with rice
Chilli
Mackerel and tomato
Salmon and cucumber
Egg salad
Tuna and onion / baked beans
Noodles
Potato salad with mint and low fat yoghurt dressing
Pasta salads with tomato puree and chopped peppers
Roast sweet potato and parsnip

Remember

At this stage you may be consuming smaller amounts than you did prior to the procedure. Try using a child’s plate or a tea plate. However, you may feel hungry and your appetite increasing - this indicates that you may be ready for your first fill

Drink plenty before a meal and leave at least one hour before your next drink

Eat very slowly & chew you food well - aim to chew 20 times per mouthful!

Continue to take your multivitamin / mineral and calcium supplement

Avoid BREAD, MEAT / CHICKEN (minced meat is allowed), & RICE until your first follow up appointment with the dietician after your fill – these foods sometimes cause problems of blockage which can lead to a slippage.

Continue to avoid fizzy drinks and chewing gum

Food Diary

Our dietitians ask all patients to keep a food diary to record their food and liquid intake, exercise and any comments. This is reviewed on a regular basis to help you get the greatest benefit from your treatment. Any bariatric procedure is a tool, or a starting point for your weight loss journey - you do the work in terms of managing your diet, but the bariatric procedure will help enormously.

Useful Links

Recipes suitable for use with Gastric Band, posted on the manufacturer's website. Click here.

The Lap Band Solution book is a great way to gain all the knowledge needed when undergoing the gastric band procedure. It talks about diet, exercise, various weight-loss options, the benefits and the restrictions of the band.