Adjusting To My Lap Band

You have had an adjustment to your band, which is intended to reduce the opening into your stomach and hence the quantity of food you are able to consume at any given time. It will also reduce the hunger felt between meals.

To make adjusting to your lap band post-surgery a smooth process, we recommend following the steps outlined below.

Immediately after surgery:

You will need to have a drink of water prior to leaving the rooms (this will be made available to you) to ensure that fluids pass through easily.

  • To ensure a smooth transition back onto normal food, it is important that you are aware of the level of restriction the adjustment has given you.
  • We advise you to consume fluids over the next 12 hours and progress to foods of the nature you were having during week 4 following your surgery for the next couple of meals.
  • You can progress to solid foods providing these pass through without difficulty.

These precautions are necessary following all band adjustments to ensure that the adjustment that has been made is appropriate for you, and will not cause you problems when you start eating solid food.

At any time prior to your next appointment you begin experiencing any problems with food getting stuck, reflux, heartburn or vomiting please contact our rooms on 5174 0036 straight away.

If this occurs out of office hours, and you feel you are in need of medical advice, please attend your local hospital emergency room. Otherwise, go back to taking only soft food or fluids, and contact us as soon as possible.

What do I do if I have food blocking my band?

How do I know I have food blocking my band?

  • It will feel quite painful.
  • It can feel like heartburn, and often this pain radiates through to the back.
  • Often you will get a saliva rush when you have food blocking the band.

How do I react?

  • Sit up straight.
  • Take a deep breath in order to open up the chest cavity.
  • Stand up and stretch.
  • Walking around can also help.
  • Use a fizzy drink such as diet coke or soda water to either flush the food through the band or bring it back up.

Regurgitating food is a natural reaction your body will often have, and the stomach muscles will contract to eject the offending piece of food.

What if after trying the above my band is still blocked?

  • Call our rooms on 5174 0036
  • If necessary, your surgeon can remove fluid from the band to allow the offending blockage to pass through.