THE FIRST MONTH AFTER THE OPERATION :

- Food must be mixed or cut into small pieces and chewed very carefully. The dietician will give you examples and advice before you leave hospital.
- At the end of the first month, you will have an x-ray of your stomach. This will show that the band is in the right place and also shown the small portion of the upper stomach.
- By then, you will have returned to work and may have commenced the recommended exercise. Your port area may still be uncomfortable as it takes a little while to heal fully.
- By then end of the first month, you will be pleased to have lost between 7 to 10 kg.

THE FOLLOWING MONTH :

To maintain a healthy nutrition, you should adhere to the following recommendations :
- Try to drink 1 to 2 litres of water a day. Drink between meals and avoid gassy drinks.
- Try to eat high fibre foods to avoid constipation. You will need to chew carefully, as these foods can be more difficult to eat when you have a band. The dietician will give you examples of high fibre foods.
- Carbohydrates are a good source of energy, but need to be taken in moderation, as excesses will lead to fat.
- Try to replace animal fats (milk, cheese, butter and delicatessen) with vegetable fats (olive oil)
- Proteins (meat, fish, eggs, and pulses) are the best foods for weight loss without muscle loss.

According to your personal tastes, you will learn how to eat 3 times a day. You could add a couple of snacks but watch the calorie and fat contents.

You will only need a band tightening if your weight-loss diminishes. You would expect to lose 3kgs per month. The filling of the band varies between patients. The band is never filled in the month following surgery.
The fill procedure is quick, easy and relatively painless. It involves injecting special fluid into the port. You often have an x-ray at the same time to assist the doctor in adjusting the band. The band is gradually filled, over time, with small volumes of fluid. Eventually, you will have the correct degree of restriction for your own needs.

It usually takes one or two years to reach your goal weight. Generally, people will expect to lose between 50 and 80 % of the excess weight. Then you will have to stabilise it with the help of your dietician.

You are encouraged to join one of the many support groups. Patients find it very helpful to meet with other banded people to exchange advice and mutual support.

If you have internet access, consider one of the following email groups.

Bandsters (bandsters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com) In English
SmartBandsters (smartbandsters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com) in English
Euroband (euroband@yahoogroups.com) In English for European patients
Gastros (gastros@yahoogroups.com) in French

You may also wish to see the following websites :