I have to say I was surprised about the diet. My doctor has a half-day seminar before the surgery on nutrition and the dietitian goes over the post op diet, including the foods to each at each stage and the amounts. Yes, I did listen to this and thought yeah ok for the first month I can stick to any diet but I’ll try sugar free this and that and fat free this and that so at least have a modified nutritious diet with some sugar free Desserts. Wrong! When I went back to the doctors for my four-week visit I was told no sugar free Cookies or any starches. Since I only lost two pound over the last two weeks I guess she was right. One to two pounds is a normal weight loss but since I was in my first four weeks I thought I would loose more.
From my own experience I’ve gather that in order to lose weight with the lap band you have to be on a permanent diet of Protein, fruit and vegetables. And a total of only 5oz per volume at each meal. If you cheat then you’ll have to exercise (which you should be doing anyway). If you cannot do this then the lap band is not for you because you will not lose as much weight as you’d like.
My best friend on the other had the gastric bypass about two years ago and can eat whatever she wants except rice and sweets but even then there are ways to get her sweet fix. Both of us can only eat a little at a time but she can eat a small bag of chips and popcorn daily and still maintain her weight. I can’t do this if I want to continue to lose weight.
So in the end the lap band is an excuse for me. An excuse to say I can’t eat what you’re eating and not feel guilty at a restaurant or with my family.
Good thing I like wide variety of fruits and vegetables!
