Immediate care of surgical incisions is provided and explained, along with new dietary habits. This will avoid immediate complications and discomfort.


For definitive weight control, more than a successful gastric band placement is necessary. Once done, the treatment has just started and thanks to it, the patient is able to control the quantity of food ingested, but also the quality must be modified. That’s why the treatment of lethal obesity includes not only the gastric band placement, but:
Close communication between patient and an experienced nutritionist.
Patient education in new dietary habits, and in some cases.
Psychological therapy.

Because of the band, the patient will tolerate low calorie diets that wouldn’t have been tolerated without it. Eating small quantities of balanced food, and still being satisfied, will result in a constant weight loss.
Even patients that are reluctant to follow up show impressive results, but the best are experienced when patient and nutritionist are communicating. Remember… poor follow-up can negate an excellent band placement.

Obesity treatment, either if its surgical or based on diets, has to be followed for a period of 3 years.
Patients are provided with telephone numbers and emails of the team members for assistance.

For best results, the patient must be in contact with obesity choices at any time, but at least:
Every 15 days for the first 3 months
Every month for the next 6 months and
Every 3 months for the next 3 years.

Always inform your surgeon and nutritionis, in a briefly manner if new symptoms have occur.

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Keep in mind that you now have a new stomach, much smaller than a few days ago. The volume needed to fill your stomach is now 2 oz.

During the first week of the gastric band placement, you will be experiencing not only the adaptation to your new food habits, but you will also be recovering from a minimally invasive surgery. Symptoms like mild pain and soreness are normal.

The first and second week you will be on a liquid diet. Using a straw is recommended to avoid big gulps that may result in nausea or discomfort.

During the first week clear liquids are recommended : Water, Apple & Grape juice (Tree Top, Ocean Spray, Welch’s), Tea

From the fourth day on, natural fruit juices (strained) and gelatin can be added if they are well tolerated. Take gelatin in small chunks and chew to dissolve.

The largest volume take that your stomach can accept is 2 fl. oz. at a time. Let your stomach rest for two hours before serving this quantity again.

Have all the clear water that you can in between “meals”.
Miscalculations may lead to nausea.

Food Temperature:
During the first week, room temperature is the most recommended.
Cold gelatin is acceptable.

The Care of Your Wounds:
Clean your wounds with a daily bath using only soap and water.
Scrub only in the same direction of the wound.
Cover with a gauze or band-aid.

NEVER :
Never keep on eating if you are already satisfied.
Never try to eat more than your stomach can handle.

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Keep in mind that you now have a new stomach, much smaller than a couple of weeks ago. The volume needed to fill your stomach is now 2 oz.

It is time to include variety and a few more consistent foods to your diet:

On your second week, continue with clear liquids & gelatin and add:
Whole, natural fruit juice (use synthetic sugar to sweeten)
Pear, Peach and Apple puree
Soups (broth): Potato, Tomato, Lentil, Vegetable, Chicken

On the third week add:
Whole vegetable soups
Whole vegetable juices
Chopped fruit (very small pieces)

At this time, you should be able to correctly handle your new stomach capacity. Always remember to let your stomach rest for two hours before repeating the serving of more consistent foods or the 2 oz.

Measure. Miscalculation may lead to nausea and stomachache.

Food Temperature:
Fruit juices are well tolerated cold (no exaggeration)
Warm soups

The Care of Your Wounds:
As a normal symptom of healing, itching will occur


NEVER :
Never keep on eating if you are already satisfied.
Never try to eat more than your stomach can handle.

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NEVER :
Carbonated drinks are not recommended.
Bread, tortilla and banana are not yet recommended.
Never try to eat more than your stomach can handle.

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Keep the order of the days in the suggested menu
Take the six meals a day as suggested
If you need to change foods, substitute with the same food group
If the combination of food groups is not well tolerated, step back to soft foods for a couple of days


Pick your day
Take the four meals a day as suggested
....a. Have breakfast and the morning snack together as a meal
....b. Have your dinner and the last day snack together as a meal


Pick your day
Take the three meals a day as suggested
....a. Have breakfast and the morning snack together as a meal
....b. Have lunch and the afternoon snack together as a meal
....c. Have dinner and the last day snack together as a meal


Inform your medical team about the quantity of food tolerated.

NEVER :
Never keep on eating if you are already satisfied.
Never try to eat more than your stomach can handle.

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