Samantha Warner-Grimsley, RN, CBN, member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team, provides tips for achieving weight loss success with an adjustable gastric band. If you have or are considering an adjustable gastric band as a way to lose weight, it is important to remember that the band is just a tool for weight loss. Like most tools, it requires proper management to function optimally.
Making the most of your adjustable gastric band requires a combination of lifestyle and dietary changes along with gastric band adjustments.
Follow these tips to to achieve the best results from your adjustable gastric band surgery:
Set reasonable, incremental goals for weight loss.
Aim to lose one to two pounds per week.
Follow the postoperative dietary guidelines.
For four to six weeks after surgery, follow the postoperative dietary guidelines provided by the dietitian. Slowly advancing from a liquid to solid diet gives your stomach the chance to heal while keeping the lap band in the right position. It may take up to one month for your stomach to fully heal from surgery.
Re-introduce solid food gradually. After the initial postoperative period, slowly re-introduce soft and then solid foods to your diet.
Take small bites and eat slowly. Always remember to take small bites, eat slowly and chew well. Developing these habits teaches you to recognize when you are satisfied and prevent stomach upset.
Adjust the gastric band to manage symptoms.The band can be tightened or loosened to manage symptoms or help you achieve better portion control to expedite weight loss. Symptoms that should be reported to your health care team include:
- Painful or difficult swallowing
- Severe abdominal pain
- Heartburn
- Food sticking in the esophagus
- Frequent regurgitation or inability to tolerate solid foods
- Vomiting
Schedule regular follow-up visits with your surgeon or nurse practitioner and dietitian. The Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program recommends visits every six to eight weeks.
Exercise regularly. Make sure to exercise regularly but within your limitations. For the best results, add 30 minutes of moderate exercise into your daily schedule. Keep in mind that every minute of exercise counts, so even 10 or 20 minutes of exercise is better than nothing.
Get support. Attend support group meetings to connect with other people who have adjustable gastric bands, share your experiences and exchange ideas. For a list of support group meetings at Penn Medicine, click here.
- Samantha Warner-Grimsley, RN, CBN
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