Lap Band Surgery Follow up –Information for Patients Going Abroad for Lap Band

Post lap band follow up is a crucial factor for the success of lap band surgery. In fact, it is the patient's commitment to follow up that ultimately determines how effective the procedure turns out.

Patients going overseas for lap band surgery are advised to take stock of their follow-up options when they get back to their home country. They must assess all aspects and make plans for follow up well in advance of lap band surgery.

In this article, we will look into some important aspects of lap band aftercare. Your medical team will give more detailed instructions on how to go about after lap band surgery.

• Diet after surgery. You can consume only liquid food for two weeks post- surgery. In the next two weeks, you can have pureed food. Regular food is safe only after one and a half months of surgery. Your surgeon and nutritionist will tell you the foods that are allowed at various stages.

• Eat slowly. You will need about half an hour to finish a meal. If you eat faster, it can induce vomiting.

• Have small meals. As lap band surgery has reduced the size of your stomach, you will not be able to eat as much as you were used to. You will need to have smaller portions.

• Choose healthy foods. Greasy or high calorie foods such as fats, starches and sugar can all lead to vomiting. Aerated drinks are a strict no-no.

• Vitamins. Your food consumption reduces drastically after lap band, so it is quite possible that you end up lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. Your doctor/ nutritionist may therefore prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.

• Wound Inflammation. If the area near surgery wound becomes red and hot to the touch, consult your doctor at the earliest.

• Medication. Check with your doctor if and when you can resume having the medications you were on before surgery. Some tablets may need to be crushed and dissolved in water.

• Weight loss after lap band. Ideally, you should target losing two pounds every week. If you cannot maintain a weight loss close to this for more than two weeks, contact your doctor. Your lap band may need an adjustment. Exercise after lap band. Regular exercise is essential for healthy weight loss after band. At the same time, you must abide by your health professional's advice and do only what is prescribed. Excessive exercise must be avoided.

• Hunger. With lap band in place, you should feel full for a long time after a meal. If you are hungry again an hour after eating, your band may need tightening. Consult your doctor.

• Avoid eating and drinking at the same time. Avoid drinking water 30 minutes before and after eating. This will keep the food for longer in the stomach without water washing it down and consequently you feel fuller for longer.

• Avoid alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are high on calories, so do not indulge in them. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic drinks should not cause harm. However do not have beer as bubbles can cause stomach discomfort for lap band patients.

• Have plenty of water. Aim to have a minimum of 32 ounces every day.

• Check-ups after lap band. Regular check-ups are essential to prevent complications and achieve optimum weight loss after lap band. In the period after lap band surgery, your body starts to go through significant weight loss. You will need constant monitoring by medical professionals at this time. During the first year after surgery, you will have to meet your doctor once in every 6 weeks. After this, you should plan for check-ups at least once every three months. This is to enable the doctor to monitor your weight loss progress and overall health levels. These appointments are essential for achieving long-term outcomes from your lap band surgery. If you have difficulty in meeting your doctor every three months, inform him/her and maintain a diary of your monthly weight loss. Share this data with your doctor so that he or she can track your progress. Patients going to countries like India and Belgium for lap band surgery may arrange with these tourist hospitals. Most of these hospitals provide follow up as part of their surgery package or offer it at a nominal charge. This is especially advantageous to patients living near the Mexico-US border.

• Lap band fills , or lap band adjustments, are to be made periodically after lap band surgery. Your bariatric surgeon in your home country will be able to guide you to lap band fill centers. Do homework on this before you proceed for lap band surgery abroad.
  

• Pregnancy after lap band. It may be necessary to avoid conceiving in the first year after lap band. Your body is in 'starvation mode' in this period and drastic weight changes are expected. This can affect the growth of the fetus. However, weight loss surgeries are known to improve fertility-related problems. Not everyone will need to wait for a year after lap band to conceive.
  

• Starting work. Patients are usually allowed to resume work in a week after lap band. However strenuous work is best avoided. Patients should stay away from strenuous physical activities like sports for a few days. Consult your lap band surgeon in Costa Rica, Mexico, India, etc to set safe limits.

No matter whether you are going to US, Costa Rica or Mexico for lap band surgery, do not expect to achieve results overnight. But you can make lap band surgery work for you, with a systematic and perseverant approach to follow-up visits, diet and exercise.