My New Lifestyle
The Gastric Band will work with you, but it can’t do all the work for you. It requires you to make lifestyle changes such as eating differently and exercising regularly.
 Start your new lifestyle before surgery
It takes time to become accustomed to life with the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band, or other types of weight loss surgery. So get a head start by practicing your new eating and exercise behaviours early. Think of this as a warm-up routine in the same way an athlete does stretches before an athletic event or a musician practices before a concert.
Eating and drinking in a new way
Eating and drinking in a new way means establishing new habits. This means smaller portions and appropriate food choices.
- Eat several small nutritionally balanced meals each day. Your healthcare team will give you advice regarding the large variety of foods that are appropriate to maintain healthy and balanced nutrition.
- Eat approximately 1/2 cup of food at each meal. Protein will stay in your upper stomach longer than other foods.
- Do not snack between meals.
- Sip 8 cups of low-calorie, non-carbonated fluids each day. You may want to avoid carbonated beverages because bubbles in these drinks may temporarily block the stomach, may cause discomfort, and may increase burping.
- Do not drink anything 15 to 30 minutes before a meal and do not drink during a meal. Wait 30 to 60 minutes after a meal before drinking anything. Liquid will cause food to empty from your upper stomach too quickly. The goal is to keep food in your upper stomach so that you feel full sooner and stay full longer.
- Take very small bites. Chew each bite slowly and thoroughly.
- Wait a few moments between each bite.
- Avoid foods that may block your stoma. Examples include bread, pineapple, celery, fibrous foods, and non-tender cuts of red meats. Later, as you become accustomed to your Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band, you may find that you do not have to avoid these foods.
Exercising to reach your goals
Please remember that you should not start any exercise programme until your bariatric team says that you are ready. Be sure to follow their recommendations.
- Do 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times each week. Choose an activity you sincerely enjoy, like walking, dancing, swimming, biking or skiing, and do it with a spouse or friend.
- Begin weight training when a member of your healthcare team says you are ready. High repetitions of low weights increase metabolism and promote weight loss.
- Enjoy a full range of physical activities. The Swedish Adjustable Band does not limit your ability to participate in sports or other physical activities.
Listen to your Band and pay attention to the signals it sends your body
- Regurgitation, nausea, acid reflux, constipation, and diarrhoea may be signs that you need to eat less, eat more slowly, chew thoroughly, or eat different foods.
- Intolerance to some foods may develop, but specific food intolerance is different for each individual.
- Dehydration is a sign that you need to drink more fluids.
- Pressure at the top of your stomach or hiccups are examples of signs that your upper stomach is full. If you continue to eat past these signals, you may experience discomfort.
- Abdominal pain that lasts more than three hours means that you need to contact your surgeon right away.
- With time, you will learn how to interpret these signals and how to eat and drink to prevent discomfort.
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