How to Recover After Lap-Band Surgery

You have taken all of the necessary steps in order to start your journey to have Lap-Band surgery, otherwise known as gastric banding. However, how can you be sure that you take proper care of yourself at home while you recover. Your surgeon and his or her staff is going to give you good information on how to take care of yourself once you return home. In addition to that, there are a few other good tips that you can keep in mind while you recover.

It goes without saying that each Lap-Band patient is unique. Be sure to consult your physician should any complications or excessive pain arise once you return home to recover. Once recovered properly, you can go on living your life while enjoying the many benefits of the Lap-Band procedure!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Discharge and recovery information provided by your surgeon and his or her staff.
• A good support system of friends and family once you return home.
• A comfortable place to rest.
• Pillows to help prop yourself up as well as to hold against your incision site as you walk.
• Prescribed pain or nausea medication.
• Movies to watch or crossword puzzles and magazines to do.
• Sugar free hard candies along with plenty of fluids and any items that your surgeon recommends as a part of your discharge diet.

1. Congratulations! You have now undergone your long-awaited Lap-Band surgery and are on your way home to recover and experience the next portion of your journey to a healthier, lighter lifestyle. This piece of your weight-loss surgery will be key in the overall success of your procedure. After all, if you do not follow all of the guidelines that your surgeon lays out for you, then you run the risks of complications that can set you back.

2. Restrictions are put in place for a reason! Your surgeon will tell you a number of restrictions that you need to follow once you return home. These restrictions may include no heavy lifting, rigorous exercise or even driving until specified. Not following one or more of these restrictions can cause swelling, pain or irritation of your incision or even the pulling of your sutures.

3. 
   A low calorie or sugar free liquid diet is key!

   Your new post-surgical diet will really become your best friend! Upon arriving home, you will have to follow your surgeon's recommendations for a post-surgical diet that is often fully liquid in nature. The liquid diet must be followed in order for the stomach to heal properly in the location where the band was placed. If you introduce solid foods too fast while your stomach is still healing, you may find yourself regurgitating, stretching your esophagus or even end up having your band slip. Clear liquids, sugar free jello, broth and ice pops are all wonderful things to have handy at this time!

4. Support systems work miracles! You just went through a major life change and this is a time when you need a good support system of family and friends in place to help both physically and emotionally. Having someone to talk to during this time about what you are feeling is just as important as having someone there to help you get around and even reach for things during the first week or so upon returning from home.

5. Never be afraid to seek knowledge and ask plenty of questions! Since the Lap-Band is such a major life change, you are bound to have questions that arise while you recover. Are you eating the right foods once you introduce solids? Could the gassy bubble that you feel in your stomach be normal? How much weight should I be losing during this time? -These are all good, valid questions. Your surgeon's office will be able to help to answer any of the questions. Additionally, there are a number of great resources online where you can go for information or even chat with other Lap-Band patients around the world who are experiencing the same things you are!

Tips & Warnings

• A food chopper is a handy tool to have around once you start adding in solid foods to your diet after banding!
• Keeping a journal of the liquids and then the solid foods that you are eating can help you to monitor your progress. Taking notes is always handy.
• Having a water bottle filled with fresh water is nice to keep with you all day long so that you can get in your required liquids.
• Try looking for different protein shakes until you find the one that you like best. There are even unflavored versions that you can add to just about anything for that protein count you need each day.
• Always remember to take your vitamins, especially when your body is still healing.
• Never try to push solid foods too fast. Vomiting before Lap-Band was never pleasant, believe it when you are told that it is worse after surgery!
• Always be careful of your incisions once you return home. Check to be sure that you always have clean dressings on them and take care not to have them remain moist after washing up or showering.

[susanws]

on 9/29/2009 I found this article very helpful as I have considered Lap-Band surgery but want to know every detail before making my desision. This article gave me insight on what to expect after the surgery when I got home. It doesn't look as scary as I thought. 5 stars from me!

[sanderdoe]

on 9/28/2009 Very good article with important information on how to recover after lap-band surgery. Following doctor's directions carefully is essential. Thanks for sharing your expertise! 5* & R

[nevernaught]

on 9/27/2009 It is very thought out and draws the attention to the need to not loose focus after coming home and living differently.

[jillm]

on 9/27/2009 Nicely written. Simply stating the facts.
The warning about vomiting after lap-band surgery is VERY serious because it could cause your band to slip and this could become a medical emergency.