hardly any weightloss since op

[BandyEmm]

hey guys im now 5 days post op from my band and have eaten all of 1 muller lite and a fromage frais since it being done,

Is it the norm not to have hardley any weightloss since the op?

I think ive had about 1lb loss on mainly fluids

Hope your all well xxx

 

[phatmomma]

Jezabelles just posted a similar thread Emm. Someone suggested because they are eating so little there body is in starvation mode to protect the supplies its carrying.....

Drinking and eating more is the answer! Good luck...

Oh btw, how are you feeling now?

 

[LBD]

It is very normal not to lose anything until everything has settled down and you start having fills.

I did lose 7lb in the first week following surgery but mainly because I was eating very little. Since then I haven't lost anything. Roll on my first fill next week!

 

[BandyEmm]

Jezabelles just posted a similar thread Emm. Someone suggested because they are eating so little there body is in starvation mode to protect the supplies its carrying.....

Drinking and eating more is the answer! Good luck...

Oh btw, how are you feeling now?

ooh thanks hun will hava look in a mo, Im doing good at the mo thanks, Am off the painkillers fully and can actually now sleep on my sides
Im up and about doing most things again but when i do too much i do get the odd twinge to remind me that im not that long post op

Am enjoying mainley low fat/low sugar hot chocolate at the mo, i have about 5 of them a day at 43 calories as i simply havent been hungry

Hope your well too xx

 

[Laura.]

I just posted in your other thread but this one answers my question lol, glad you are feeling better.
Take it easy. x

 

[Mazza]

hey guys im now 5 days post op from my band and have eaten all of 1 muller lite and a fromage frais since it being done,

Is it the norm not to have hardley any weightloss since the op?

I think ive had about 1lb loss on mainly fluids

Hope your all well xxx

Seriously is that all you have had in the 5 days? If it is you need to be careful as you could make yourself ill.

Did the hospital give you a post op diet sheet? if they did you should be following their guidelines, if not you need to contact them.

The sort of things I was having at your stage were:

ready made slimfast shakes
blended or smooth soups
fruit smoothies
milky drinks
milk shakes

To drink tea with skimmed milk, water and low sugar squash.

Good luck x

 

[cazbandy]

Hi there, I agree with the above comments.

Protein is so important to the healing process and to aiding weightloss. Even at liquid stages.

I had a sheet of dietary information given to me prior the operation and I followed that, by day 5 I was on to mushees, like mash and cheddar etc.

You really need to try and keep calorie intake about 800-1000 a day as below this your body enters a starvation mode and it is common to not loose anything.

Keep the fluids going, and up the protein, through milky drinks and soft soft cheese.

 

[dottychic]

Glad your feeling better Em, I agree with whats being said about starvation mode, I used to get that sometimes on S/world when I hadnt eaten enough. You will be dropping pounds soon, try not to worry x

 

[BandyEmm]

thanks everyone, i was emailed the dierty info and now i cant find it again ( twice now)

 

[Mandie]

Hi Emma sorry things haven't gone to plan so far , i was the same , i lost about 7lb in the first wk , but then it slowed up, not nothing for the ast 4 wks , i was told that whilst the body is healing it holds on to water ,but this settles the more you move around, my weight loss didn't show for a wk-10 days so stay strong and possitive i know it isn't easy . You need to eat more , even slimfast is better than nothing .

 

[Jezabelle]

GASTRIC BANDING​

MONTH ONE​

Your gastric band has been carefully positioned around the upper part of your stomach by our specialist surgeon during laparoscopic surgery. Stitches help to hold your band in the correct position. The soft tissue of the stomach and surrounding areas need time to heal so it is extremely important not to stretch the small stomach pouch above your gastric band. In the event of overstretching the stomach pouch, the stitches may tear and the band could slip, closing off your stomach. You would experience severe pain behind your breastbone and vomiting. This would be a medical emergency and you would need another operation to correct the position of the band or remove it.

HEARTLANDS HOSPITAL GENERAL GUIDELINES

§ Follow a liquid diet only for the first month after your band operation.
§ Liquids should be smooth and not contain any ‘bits’ as they may cause discomfort or pain or get stuck; use a sieve if you are unsure.
§ Start with frequent sips of any type of liquid and increase to 100mls (6 tablespoons or ½ cup or ⅓ mug) at a time as soon as you can.
§ In the first 2 weeks after surgery take no more than 200mls (1 small cup or 2/3 mug) at any one time; you may be able to increase this volume later and include sips of calorie free fluids in between.
§ If you like milk, include 1 pint (568mls) semi-skimmed milk every day. Add 4 heaped tablespoons of skimmed milk powder (for extra protein) and flavouring if you wish. Alternatively, you can use products such as Slimfast or similar slimming drinks but not items like Build-Up or Complan. (See later in your pack for more detailed ‘Month One’ recommendations).
§ If a drink will go through a straw then it is the correct consistency for this first month. However, do not drink through a straw as you may take in a lot of air and this could cause discomfort.
§ Sip slowly but frequently throughout the day at the start of the month, allowing a few minutes between sips. Progress to cupfuls of drinks taken slowly over a 15-20 minute period as the days goes by. If you experience pain, discomfort or regurgitate your drinks take smaller sips and allow more time between sips. Some people find hot drinks go down more easily to start with; others find that sucking ice cubes can help if you are struggling to get fluids down.
§ Consume a minimum of 2 litres of fluids every day; this will mean drinking 100-200mls every hour; don’t worry if it takes a few days after surgery to reach this volume. There is no maximum amount but let your band be the guide. Drinking plenty of fluid will help to prevent constipation.
§ Avoid fizzy drinks as these can cause severe pain from trapped wind. You will be able to drink these later on when your band is less tight.
§ Make sure that your drinks (especially nutritional drinks) are spread out over the day. If you go for long gaps without anything to drink you may start to feel light headed and nauseous.
§ Some people get a ‘furry mouth’ in the first month so it may be useful to use a mouthwash and brush your teeth well. When you have nothing to chew on, you produce less saliva to protect your teeth.
§ To make sure that you drink enough fluid over the day; carry a sports bottle with you when you are out e.g. shopping to sip frequently from throughout the day.
§ Take a liquid, dissolvable or chewable multivitamin/mineral daily.
- For example: Centrum Select 50+ effervescent; Sanatogen Kids A to Z, chewable
sugar free or other paediatric or adult formulas (check with your pharmacist or at
the supermarket) Vitobiotic Well Kid Chewable with minerals, iron, and omega 3, Centrum A to Z crushed, Tesco Kids own, Boots kids chewable A - Z multivitamin and minerals, Haliborange plus iron and calcium chewable.
§ Initially after your gastric band is placed, your GP may need to monitor and advise more frequently on doses of some of your medications as many will need to be reduced with weight loss. Any medications that you take should be in liquid, chewable, dissolvable or crushable form for the first year after your gastric band to avoid the possibility of tablets getting stuck.

DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS
Every day ensure that you have at least 2 litres of fluids made up as follows:

§ 3 items from ‘PROTEIN’ list

§ As much as you like from ‘FREE; list

§ 1-2 items from ‘LIMITED’ list

During the first few days after your band operation, you may not be able to manage 2 litres of fluid in one day; do not worry but ensure that you progress towards this amount as the first week goes by or you may become dehydrated and suffer with headaches, urine infection or constipation.

PROTEIN LIST (3-4 per day)
Each day choose 3-4 items from the list below:

§ 400mls (⅔ pt) semi-skimmed or skimmed milk
§ 400mls (⅔ pt) soya milk with added calcium
§ 2 smooth diet yoghurts (125g each) to blend with milk or water to a ‘drinkable’ consistency
§ 1 x 325mls can Slimfast, any flavour or other supermarket brands of Slimming drinks eg; Tesco, Boots or Asda. If you are diabetic choose low carb varieties of Slimfast, Tesco or Advantage
§ 3 heaped tablespoons skimmed milk powder
§ 15g Protein powder eg; soya or egg (obtainable from health food shops or a pharmacy); you may need to use these to obtain your protein if you do not like dairy products. They can be mixed into soups or fruit or vegetable juices.

FREE LIST (unlimited)
Make up the rest of your 2 litre intake with as much as you like of the following drinks:

§ Water; plain or low calorie flavoured (not carbonated)
§ Low calorie, no added sugar or sugar free squash
§ Oxo, Bovril, Marmite or Stock cubes
§ Soups; tinned, dried, cup of soup, homemade. You may need to dilute them with extra water or add an Oxo cube, Bovril or marmite then sieve to ensure there are no ‘bits or lumps’.

§ Miso powder; sieve if there are any ‘bits’.
§ Coffee
§ Tea including herbal teas

LIMITED LIST (optional 1-2 per day)
If you like more variety then you can include one or two of the items below:

§ 1 small glass (150mls) unsweetened fruit juice. If you have a juicing machine then you can make your own tasty combinations eg; Beetroot and orange, carrot, celery and apple. Always dilute with water then sieve to ensure there are no ‘bits or lumps’.
§ 1 glass (200mls) vegetable juice eg; carrot, tomato, mixed vegetable, V8.
§ 1 x 100ml low fat, low sugar Actimel or similar drink
§ 1 x 100-150mls Vie or other Smoothie drinks.
§ Low calorie ‘Hot chocolate, Ovaltine or Horlicks drinks
§ ½ banana or small portion of soft fruit to make into a ‘smoothie’ with milk; make sure this is a thin consistency and sieve to ensure there are no bits or lumps.

Sample Menu

8.00am 200mls tea or coffee or low calorie squash or water
9.30am ½ can Slimfast or similar
11.00am 200mls Bovril
1.30pm ½ can Slimfast or similar
3.00pm 200mls coffee made with milk
4.30pm 200mls cup of soup (no bits) with 1½ tablespoons skimmed milk powder added
6.00pm 1 small glass (150mls) unsweetened orange juice diluted with 150mls water
7.30pm 200mls tea or coffee or low calorie squash or water
9.00pm 400mls milk
10.30pm 200mls Low calorie Ovaltine drink

RECIPES

‘Fortified milk’
Mix 3 heaped tablespoons of skimmed milk powder with 400mls of semi-skimmed (or skimmed) milk. Use this ‘fortified milk’ when you have tea or coffee or to make milkshakes, smoothies etc. Or flavour with low calorie hot chocolate, horlicks, etc, or low calorie milk shake powder, diet squash or vanilla essence and cinnamon.
(This uses 2 Protein portions)

Strawberry Yoghurt shake
Blend 1 smooth, diet yoghurt with 200mls skimmed or semi-skimmed milk and 6 fresh or frozen strawberries. Dilute to a drinkable consistency with milk or water and sieve to ensure no ‘bits’. (This uses 1 Protein portion)
Easy Pesto Tomato soup
Measure about 200mls of tomato juice into a small pan. Stir in 1 big teaspoon of pesto and heat gently. (This is a ‘free’ item)

IT’S ALL QUITE NORMAL AFTER THE BAND!

1. For the first two weeks after your operation you are likely to feel tired and although
we would encourage you to walk daily, don’t overdo things. Even when your cuts look
healed on the outside, they are still healing inside.

2. You may be aware of aches and pains in your chest wall and abdomen especially when
you move about and taking fewer painkillers. These are referred to as musculo-
skeletal pains and are a normal part of the keyhole cuts healing inside and forming
scar tissue that is a bit less flexible than your tissues were before.

3. You may notice pain in your neck and shoulder; this sometimes happens after any
laproscopic surgery and should diminish over time.

4. Your stomach may feel bloated for a few days after surgery as your body returns to
normal. You may not be able to get rid of excess wind by belching (due to the band
being at its tightest) and it will take longer for this wind to pass downwards.

5. You may experience gurgling or rumbling in the lower part of your stomach; it takes a
while for your whole stomach to get in tune with the reduced food or drink that is
delivered from your new stomach pouch. BUT notice that this does not mean that you
are hungry!

6. Diarrhoea. Some people develop quite severe diarrhoea in the first few weeks after
surgery. This can be due to changes in your medications, a change to a liquid diet or
an increase in your milk consumption. Make sure that you drink even more fluid to
replace what you are losing. If the diarrhoea is particularly troublesome or continues
for more than a couple of days, get your GP to check that you do not have ‘overflow
diarrhoea’ or an infection. The band is unlikely to be the direct cause.

7. Constipation. More commonly, your bowel frequency will be much less than before
surgery because you are now taking much smaller quantities and there is very little
fibre in your liquid diet. If you suspect that you are constipated, there are 3 things
to check:

§ Make sure you are drinking at least 2 litres of fluid per day.
§ Include 1-2 cups of diluted fruit or vegetable juice per day or try syrup of figs or prune juice as a gentle bowel stimulant.
§ Make sure that you are active and not sitting or lying around too much.

If it is still a problem go to your GP for advice. A non-bulk forming laxative such as lactulose may be prescribed.

 

[BandyEmm]

thanks hun your a star x

 

[Jezabelle]

GASTRIC BANDING​

MONTH TWO (transition)​

For the second month after your gastric band operation, tissues around the stomach are still healing and it remains important not to stretch the small stomach pouch with foods that are hard or indigestible. You should begin to make the slow transition from liquids to solids. Do not eat larger quantities than recommended even if you feel that you could. The newly created stomach pouch will stretch and if you begin to eat larger quantities of food you may loose sensitivity to fullness and food could stretch your oesophagus as well. This will lead to you eating larger quantities, not recognising when your pouch is full and you will not lose weight.

For the first half of this month, you can continue to take drinks only if you prefer (as in the first month) or start to have pureed food with a consistency like a thick yoghurt or a combination of both liquid and pureed foods. In the second half of the month introduce soft mashed foods and cut out the liquid and pureed foods. Leave them behind forever; you will only need to return to these types of foods for a short period after each band adjustment or if you have a period of vomiting.

The progression in textures that you should aim for this month is, for example, starting the month with 1weetabix with plenty of low fat milk but by the end of the month the Weetabix should be much more solid with much less milk. It is best to avoid more ‘difficult’ foods this month; these tend to be red meat, shellfish, bread (especially really fresh), fibrous fruit and vegetables including skins, dried fruit, nuts and rice. Fish and white meat are generally softer than red meat but well cooked lean minced meat in sauce would be fine. Add gravy and sauce this month to ensure that foods are soft.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

§ Follow a puree diet for the first half of this month (or continue with an all liquid diet as in the first month if you prefer) then progress to soft mashed food for the second half of the month.
§ Start the month by eating up to 5 small puree ‘meals’ per day then in the second half of the month establish a 3 meal a day pattern of eating with soft foods.
§ Your portion size should be about 3- 6 tablespoons per meal and never exceed 6 tablespoons for each meal even if you feel you could eat more.
§ Serve your meals on a 7 inch side plate.
§ If your food is ‘spoonable’ then it is the correct consistency.
§ Eat very slowly (take at least 20 minutes for each meal) to recognise the new feeling of your pouch filling up until you don’t want to eat more. Your pouch only holds about 2 tablespoons at the most so when you have a meal that may be up to 6 tablespoons, some of the food will need time to begin to pass through to the rest of your stomach.
§ Stop eating at the first sign of fullness. If food is left on your plate, throw it away.
§ Food can contain soft lumps but not any hard lumps, skins, pips etc as they may cause discomfort or pain or get stuck.
§ Drink frequently before your meal then leave at least 1 hour after your meal before drinking again as this prevents your puree/mashed meal from becoming liquid and leaving your small stomach pouch too quickly.
§ Consume a minimum of 2 litres of fluids every day; there is no maximum amount.
§ Remember to drink calorie free liquids frequently, avoid alcohol and choose low fat, low sugar foods to puree or mash.
§ To make sure that you drink enough fluids over the day; carry a sports bottle with you filled with water to take 2 hours after your meals. (this prevents your pureed/mashed meal from leaving your small stomach pouch too quickly).
Continue to take a dissolvable or chewable multivitamin/mineral daily as in month1
Other Food suggestions that you could include in your puree diet:

Breakfast
½ - 1 Weetabix with plenty of skimmed or semi skimmed milk
1 - 3 tablespoons Readybrek OR porridge
Thick fruit smoothie (blend 200mls milk with 2 portions of fruit)

Foods for Main Meals (maximum of 6 tablespoons per meal)
Thick soups eg; lentil or vegetable
1 - 2 tablespoons Pureed chicken, veal, pork, quorn, tofu or fish. Use gravy or sauce to make a smooth consistency.
1 - 2 tablespoons pureed vegetables, fresh, frozen or tinned
1 tablespoon hummus
1 - 2 tablespoons cottage cheese
1 tablespoon mashed potato
1 - 2 tablespoons blended tinned tomatoes

Desserts and between meal snacks
1 small Diet yoghurt; smooth
1 small Diet fromage frais; smooth
1 small Low sugar egg custard
1 small Low calorie mousse
1 - 2 tablespoons stewed fruit pureed (use sweetner if necessary)

PUREE DIET (first half of the month)

You may need to eat up to 5 times per day. You can include ½pt skimmed or semi-skimmed milk to have in drinks during the day and one small (150ml) glass natural fruit juice diluted with water. Here is a suggested meal plan:

Before breakfast DRINKS (wait at least an hour)

8.00am Breakfast ½ - 1 weetabix with lots of skimmed or semi-skimmed milk OR
1 - 3 tablespoons of thin porridge or Readybrek

9.00am DRINKS (wait at least an hour)

10.30am Mid morning 1 small smooth diet yoghurt OR
2 tablespoons pureed fruit

11.30pm DRINKS (wait at least an hour)

1.00pm Midday 1-2 tablespoons pureed chicken or fish in sauce AND
1-2 tablespoons pureed vegetables AND
1 tablespoon mashed potato OR pureed pasta

2.00pm DRINKS (wait at least an hour)

3.30pm Mid afternoon 1 small smooth diet yoghurt OR
2 tablespoons pureed fruit

4.30pm DRINKS (wait at least an hour)

6.00pm Evening meal 1-2 tablespoons pureed chicken or fish in sauce AND
1-2 tablespoons pureed vegetables AND
1 tablespoon mashed potato OR pureed pasta

7.00pm DRINKS (wait at least an hour)

Other food suggestions that you could include in your soft diet:

Breakfast
1 Weetabix with a little skimmed or semi skimmed milk
3 tablespoons thick Readybrek OR porridge OR
3 tablespoons branflakes, Special K or other cereal without nuts, dried fruit or added sugar
½ slice toast with 1 soft scrambled egg OR 2 tablespoons of baked beans OR
2 tablespoons tinned tomatoes

Foods for Main Meals (a maximum of 5 - 6 tablespoons per meal)
½ fish in sauce OR ½ small chicken breast casseroled in sauce or gravy
1-2 tablespoons minced meat in sauce or gravy
1-2 tablespoons Bolognese sauce or chilli con carne
1-2 tablespoons Macaroni cheese or other pasta dish
1-2 tablespoons Dahl
1-2 soft scrambled eggs
1-2 tablespoons Tofu or quorn
1-2 tablespoons Cottage cheese (with soft pieces)
1-2 tablespoons lentil or bean stew
1-2 tablespoons baked beans
1-2 tablespoons corned beef hash
1-2 tablespoons Shepherd’s pie or fish pie
1-2 tablespoons cauliflower cheese
1 tablespoon hummus
1 tablespoon mashed potato
1-2 tablespoons mashed cooked or tinned vegetables
½ ready meal
1-2 crispbreads or crackers OR ½ slice toast

Desserts (if required)
1 small Diet yoghurt with soft pieces of fruit
1 small Diet fromage frais with soft pieces of fruit
2-3 tablespoons stewed fruit (use sweetener if necessary)
Mashed soft fruit eg; ½ banana, 1 peach, strawberries
1 inch slice of ripe melon
2-3 tablespoons Frozen or tinned fruit in natural juice
2-3 tablespoons sugar free jelly

GASTRIC BANDING​

MONTH THREE AND LIFELONG​

This is really the start of learning how to work with your gastric band and developing lifelong healthy eating habits to achieve your health and fitness goals. You must leave soft, sloppy food in the past and discover solid textured foods that remain longer in your stomach pouch to stop you from feeling hungry.

Most importantly, you must learn to recognise new feelings of hunger and fullness from your stomach pouch. This is completely different from your previous ‘rumbly tummy’ hunger or ‘whole tummy; uncomfortably stuffed’ feeling of fullness. Your tummy below can still make rumbly, gurgly noises but actually you may not be hungry! Physical hunger is also completely different from eating for boredom or comfort because when you do this, you will NEVER feel full because your body does not need food at this time. Most people acknowledge some sort of ‘emotional eating’ or ‘head hunger’; your gastric band cannot help you with this. You will need to identify times when this is likely to happen and develop strategies to tackle it before it sabotages your weight loss. Please call us if you’re struggling to cope.

Your new stomach pouch is roughly the size of a ping pong ball and situated somewhere behind your breastbone and this is where your new feeling of fullness will be felt. People describe the full feeling in different ways; ‘indigestion’; ‘like I’ve had a huge meal’; ‘wind’, ‘if I had another mouthful I’d burst’, ‘discomfort’; ‘I don’t want to eat more’. If you have eaten too much you will feel pain or may even feel a choking sensation, ‘as if something is stuck’; your pouch is TOO full. Do not expect to feel full in the lower part of your tummy as you need to develop your eating in response to the UPPER stomach pouch (behind your breastbone).

Leave behind the milkshakes, smoothies, gravy and sauces that you had in the last few months. Soft and liquid food will not help your band, you tend to eat them quickly and they simply pass through to the rest of your stomach and you will soon be hungry again. If you frequently consume soft foods and drinks that are high in fat and sugar eg; ice cream, cake, chocolate, milk shakes etc OR high calorie ‘crunchy’ foods such as crisps, biscuits etc your band will allow these foods through quickly, you will not feel full and be tempted to consume larger quantities. This will prevent further weight loss and may lead to weight gain.

For your band to work effectively food needs to be of a ‘drier’ consistency, eaten and chewed slowly, in small mouthfuls so that you learn to sense fullness and stop eating when you think you have had enough. With drier foods, the appropriate quantity of food should fit in the palm of your hand eg half an apple and this will keep you feeling full for longer.

Hope all the above is of some use... It all comes from my Book that my hospital gave me for my band.

 

[BandyEmm]

thankyou, have found mine now too, stupid pc is playing nice today

Patient information


Post-operative diet following gastric banding





Following your surgery you will need to go through several phases, slowly progressing from liquids through to solid food. It is important to take your time progressing through each phase as it is during this time that your new pouch is forming and settling in position. If you progress too quickly, you may unduly stretch the pouch and the band may slip.

Phase 1 – immediately post-surgery for 1-2 days
Clear fluids only,e.g. water, dilute squash, herbal teas and fruit tea, clear broth, unsweetened apple juice, jelly, ice lollies.
You should aim for 1oz (30mls) fluid every hour on day one and progress to 2oz (60mls) every hour on day two, if tolerated.
- Drink very slowly by taking small sips. Try not to gulp.
- Avoid carbonated drinks and drinking through a straw as these can introduce air to your pouch, making you feel uncomfortable.
- Avoid drinks containing caffeine as these act as a diuretic and can contribute to dehydration.



Phase 2 – first 2 weeks
Liquid diet ‑ after phase 1 you will make a transition to a full liquid diet. These liquids must be smooth and able to be sucked through a straw, although it is not recommended that you actually take these through a straw. It is important that you get as much nutrition as possible with each meal and should be aiming for around 60g protein per day.
The types of suitable liquid foods are:
- Milk (skimmed or semi skimmed)
- Fortified milk (2 tbsp skimmed milk powder added to 1 pint milk)
- Tomato juice
- Fruit juice
- Tea
- Smooth broths
- Creamed soups
- Yoghurt and yoghurt drinks (add milk if too thick)
- Meal replacement drinks, e.g. Slimfast /Complan/ Build Up.

It is important to get a variety of liquids at this stage rather than sticking to just one type.


Sample menu plan for liquid diet:
Breakfast Meal replacement drink or glass of fortified milk
Mid morning 1 glass fruit juice/tomato juice/milk
Lunch Meal replacement drink or glass of fortified milk or creamy soup
Mid afternoon 1 glass fruit juice/tomato juice/milk
Evening Meal replacement drink or glass of fortified milk or creamy soup
Supper 1 glass fruit juice/tomato juice/milk

Phase 3 – weeks 3 and 4
Puree diet ‑ at this stage you can start to introduce pureed or blended foods into your diet. This should be smooth and the consistency of baby food.
The following types of food can be included:
- Creamy soups, rice pudding, custard
- Softly cooked and blended vegetables, mashed potato
- Cereals such as Ready Brek, Weetabix, ground rice
- Blended fruits
- Blended meats with gravy
- Blended casseroles and soups

Sample menu plan for puree diet:
Breakfast Weetabix or Ready Brek with milk or yoghurt and fruit juice
Mid morning Low calorie yoghurt or rice pudding
Lunch Blended creamy soup/blended macaroni cheese/cauliflower cheese
Mid afternoon Mashed banana, puree stewed fruit
Evening Blended chicken casserole/fish in white sauce, mashed potato, blended carrots

Remember to chew food thoroughly and to eat very slowly. When you are full, remember to STOP!

Phase 4 – weeks 5 and 6
Soft diet ‑ at this stage you no longer need to blend your food but can progress to a soft consistency diet. These are foods that can easily be mashed or cut with a fork.

Breakfast Weetabix or Ready Brek with milk or toast and low fat spread
Mid morning Low calorie yoghurt or rice pudding
Lunch Scrambled egg, macaroni cheese, cauliflower cheese
Mid afternoon Banana, soft peach/pear tinned without skins
Evening Shepherds pie, fish pie, soft vegetables




Phase 5 – weeks 6 onwards
Normal diet ‑ you are now ready to continue on your long term eating plan. At six weeks your first band fill is usually done and you will start to feel the restriction your band is making around the top of your stomach. Remember, you are not just eating small amounts to reduce your calorie intake and lose weight, but you are aiming for a healthy nutritious eating plan as well.

Six golden rules
Each individual differs in the foods they can eat, but there are six golden eating plan rules to follow if you are dedicated to obtaining the greatest benefit from your gastric band:
- Eat three meals per day – your new pouch at the top of your stomach empties slowly throughout the day and you should be satisfied eating three meals a day without getting hungry in between meals. Beware of developing 'grazing' eating patterns of small snacks throughout the day.
- Eat healthy, solid food – soft food slips down easily and whilst this has the benefit of being less likely to block your stoma, you will likely end up eating more over the course of the day. Many soft foods are also higher in fat or carbohydrates and as a consequence you may be taking more calories than you should and your weight loss will slow down or stop. Choose solid foods without lots of sauce (e.g. small meal of chicken and vegetables) and you will eat less overall and stay full for longer.
- Eat slowly and stop as soon as you feel full – most obese people are used to rushing their meals and as there is a time lag from stretching the wall of your stomach and telling your brain you are full, you need to be careful with this one or risk blockage, pain or vomiting. Take tiny bites (cut meat up to the size of a pencil-top rubber) and chew each piece 10–25 times. At some point you will start to feel a tightness in your chest. Stop eating and if you are hungry again a few minutes later, have a little more.
- Do not eat between meals – you should not need to eat between meals because of hunger if you are eating three sensible meals per day.
- Do not drink at meal times – Liquids speed up the passage of food through the stoma and ruin the beneficial effect of slow emptying of food from your new stomach pouch. If you have a drink immediately before your meal you may also find that your stomach is still full and you can't eat your meal. So avoid fluids half an hour before your meals, and for one hour afterwards.
- All drinks should be zero calories – As liquids do pass through your stoma so easily, calorie laden drinks, including alcohol, will simply add calories to your daily intake. Women need calcium, and this can be obtained from skimmed milk, but avoid juice, fizzy drinks (the gas can also cause considerable pain), squashes and milkshakes.



Daily Menu Plan ‑ meal ideas
Breakfast
200ml coffee or tea with or without sugar or 200ml skimmed or semi-skimmed milk or 200ml vegetable or fruit juice
1 slice brown bread or roll (toasted)
10g butter/margarine or 20g low fat spread
1 portion jam, honey or low fat cheese spread or 50g lean meat or 1 egg or 50g pureed porridge oats

Mid morning snack
150ml x 2 skimmed or semi-skimmed milk

Lunch
1 lamb or pork cutlet/50g poached fish/50g meat in gravy/50-75g chicken breast/1 small sausage/50-75g Quorn/Tofu based product
2 tsp risotto or rice/2 tsp mashed potato/1 small boiled potato
1 peeled grilled tomato/2 tsp broccoli or carrots/small mixed salad
Dessert from suggested choice

Mid afternoon snack
150ml plain or fruit yoghurt
Or stewed peeled fruit

Evening meal
As lunch or:
100g boiled spaghetti with Bolognese sauce
1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese
1 peeled grilled tomato
Dessert from suggested choice
Or 3 small slices of low-fat cheese
1 slice brown bread
Small mixed (tomato, cucumber)
Or 2 teaspoon tuna/egg salad with diced pickled vegetables
1 slice brown bread
1 egg custard with raspberry flavour
Or 50g baked potato with cheese and ham
2 tsp of tomato salad
Dessert from suggest choice

Evening snack
150ml x 2 skimmed or semi-skimmed milk

Snacks
150ml low fat plain or fruit yoghurt or,
200ml semi-skimmed milk

Desserts
150ml plain natural or fruit yoghurt or,
1 egg custard (various flavours) or,
1 portion of soft or pureed (stewed) fruit or 1 scoop sorbet

For more information about the Trust, visit our website www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk


Department of Nutrition & Dietetics

Written: January 2009
Review due: January 2010

 

[Jezabelle]

Emma, I like yours better than mine.. I'm going to copy and print it off.. I might even use it rather than Heartlands menu

 

[BandyEmm]

hehe no probs, isnt it weried how each hospital differs lol x