Gastric (Lap band) surgery is one of the newest and least invasive surgical techniques to fight obesity and to help obese individuals get rid of excess weight and gain a healthy lifestyle. With gastric (Lap band) surgery, a small part of the stomach is tied with a band, which reduces the food intake and increases the time that the food stays in the stomach.
Gastric (Lap band) surgery, is much safer than other invasive weight loss methods as it does not require any intestines to be bypassed and it is fully reversible. The following are some tips to ready the patient in preparation for the life changing surgery:
If you smoke, stop. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen available to the cell for healing. There is some evidence that smoking in those around you - second hand smoke - may also delay healing or cause problems. Most doctors prefer that their patients would stop smoking for several weeks before surgery. The use of nicotine gum is helpless around the time of surgery since the nicotine can interfere with healing in the same way as nicotine in cigarettes. If you've ever tried to quit smoking, you know how hard it can be. But if you're having surgery, kicking the habit is worth it.Start exercising, if you aren't doing so. Getting into the exercise habit will be vital to your post-surgical success. Being in better shape also provides a quicker recovery.
Start making healthful food choices. Cut back on fast foods and high-calorie items. Foods to avoid:- All fats including butter, fatty meats fried foods, whole milk products.
- High sugar foods.
- Carbonated drinks. Bubbles in these drinks may temporarily block your stoma, may cause discomfort, and may increase burping.
- High carbohydrate foods such as bread.
Start eating balanced meals. Balanced meals are important so that you get all your nutritional meals. Because your stomach will be smaller and the amount of food that you will e able to eat will be drastically reduced post surgery it is important to get in a habit of eating balanced meals that will include foods full of important vitamins and nutrients.
Cut back on fast foods and high-calorie items.
At home, use smaller plates to help you choose smaller portions. It is important to start getting used to smaller meals and preparing your body to adjust to less calories.