1.
Will I be sick a lot once I have a band?top
If you are eating properly and taking balanced amounts
of vitamins and minerals, you should feel great!
The
adjustable gastric band limits food intake in a patient-friendly
way. If you feel nauseous or sick on a regular basis,
it may mean you are not chewing your food well or
are not following the diet rules. It could also be
a warning that there is a problem with the placement
of your band. So you should contact your doctor.
2. Will I be constipated if I have a band?top
Since your diet and activity level are significantly
decreased following surgery, it is fairly common to
experience mild to moderate constipation in the first
week after surgery. Insufficient fluid intake and
excessive pain medication are the most common reason
for post-op constipation. However, the gastric band does
not cause long-term constipation. If difficulties
do arise, you might take a mild laxative and drink
plenty of water. Drinking plenty of water is a good
idea anyway.
3. Will I need vitamin supplements?top
Although the gastric band does not have any
affect in the absorption of nutrients,you should still take a balanced volume of vitamins and
minerals and use a protein supplement daily. Even
though you still obtain the vitamins and nutrients
from what you eat, you will be eating much smaller
portions, thus you may not get enough of the nutrients
you need. Some patient's lose weight faster than
expected, this too may cause some nutrient deprivation
and temporary hair loss. In those cases, we recommend
vitamin E and a B12 shot once every month or two.
This will help to revert the symptoms.
4. Can I take prescription medicines and over-the-counter
drugs once I have the band?top
You should be able to take the things you took prior
to surgery. You may need to break tablets in half
or dissolve them in water so they do not get stuck
in the stoma and make you sick. You should always
ask the doctor who prescribed the drug about this.
Your surgeon may tell you to avoid taking aspirin
or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers
because they may irritate the stomach.
5. Can I get pregnant while wearing a band?top
Absolutely! Becoming pregnant may be easier as you
lose weight, because your menstrual cycle may become
more regular. If you need to eat more while you are
pregnant the band can be loosened. After the pregnancy
the band may be made tighter again. Then you can resume
your weight loss efforts.
6.
What if I go out to eat?top
Order only a small amount of food, such as an appetizer
portion. Eat slowly. Try and finish at the same time
as your table companions who are eating a normal size
meal. You might even want to let your host or hostess
know in advance that you cannot eat very much. One
trick you can use is to ask the wait staff to put
half of your order in a "To Go" box from
the start to avoid leaving a large amount of food
on your plate.
7. Can I drink alcoholic beverages?top
Alcohol is very high in calories. It also breaks down
vitamins. However, an occasional glass of wine or
other alcoholic beverage is not considered harmful
to weight loss. Avoid beer or other carbonated beverages.
8. How much weight will I lose with a band?top
The actual weight-loss varies from patient to patient.
The amount of weight you lose depends on how committed
you are to your new lifestyle and eating habits. A
weight loss of 2 to 3 pounds a week in the first year
after the operation is optimal, but one to two pounds
a week is more likely. Remember that you will lose
weight gradually. Losing weight too fast creates a
health risk and can lead to health problems.
9. How do the gastric band's
weight loss results compare to those of the by-pass?top
Gastric bypass patients typically lose weight more
rapidly than band patients. However, the long-term
weight loss results are comparable. For most patients
it is better to focus on steady, long-term weight
loss, rather than the rate of the loss. Gastric Bypass patients
often suffer complication from their rapid weight
loss and even lifelong health problems. Many times,
bypass patients also regain the weight they have lost
as their stomach stretches out. The important thing
is to lose weight steadily, reducing your obesity-related
health risks, and improving your overall health.
10. Does the band require frequent follow up visits?top
Monthly Office Visits are highly recommended. Studies have proven that monthly visits improve patient compliance and overall weight-loss outcome. The accountability of monthly visits also helps to dampen your daily temptation to cheat the band (and yourself). Your Aftercare Provider will also be better able to catch complications prior to them becoming a problem, keeping you at peak health levels.
11.
Will the band limit my physical activity?top
The band does not hamper physical activity including
aerobics, stretching and strenuous exercise. It is
likely you will have more energy for increased physical
activities as you lose weight and improve your nutrition.
12. How is the band adjusted?top
Band adjustments, commonly called 'fills" are what
make the band "tighter" around your stomach.
When the doctor first places the band on your stomach
you will have very little restriction and will be
able to eat nearly as much as you did prior to surgery.
However, following the surgery you will receive "fills"
or "adjustments" where the doctor takes
a very small needle thru your skin to a port that
he placed either on your sternum or by your stomach.
The needle will insert a small amount of saline solution
into the band and tighten it much like a water balloon
wrapped around your arm. The more fills you receive
the tighter the band, the more restriction and less
food you will eat. Most patients receive fills for
the first 12 to 18 months.
13. Do I have to be careful with the port?top
There are no restrictions based on the access port.
It is placed under the skin in the abdominal wall,
and once the incisions have healed it should not cause
discomfort or restrict your movements or any physical
exercise. The only sensation you may have from the
port is when it is adjusted. If you feel persistent
discomfort in the port area, let your Aftercare Provider know as soon
as possible.
14. Will I need plastic
surgery for the surplus skin once I have lost a lot
of weight?top
Plastic surgery is not always necessary. As a rule,
plastic surgery should not be considered for 1-2 years
following your operation. Sometimes the skin will
mold itself around the new body tissue. You should
give the skin the time it needs to adjust before you
decide to have more surgery.
15. How much pain
will there be after surgery?top
You may experience pain in one or both of your shoulders,
or in your back. This is caused by carbon dioxide
gas irritating the diaphragm. Since the brain is not
able to recognize this irritation as coming from the
diaphragm, it interprets the pain as coming from the
shoulder area. This is called "referred pain." It will go away within a few days. Being up and around
helps gas absorb out of your abdomen, and allows the
pain to subside more quickly. There may also be some
pain in the small incisions, which may require medication
to control. Pain medication is routinely prescribed,
but should be used sparingly.
16. Will I need pain medication in the hospital?top
While you are in the hospital, pain medication will
be available for you. You should take these medicines
as needed to relieve any pain. Obviously, the complete
return of intestinal function is an important part
of your recovery, and the sooner it returns, the sooner
you will be able to resume eating a diet and be able
to leave the hospital. Narcotics can significantly
slow down the function of the intestines and should
be used sparingly.
17. Can I have the band removed after I get to my goal weight?top
Although the gastric band is designed for
lifelong usage, it can be removed. In some cases this
can be done laparoscopically. Surgeons report that
the stomach generally returns to its original shape
once the band has been removed and patients often
gain more weight than before they had the surgery.
18. Why would I stop
losing weight, even though my band is adjusted properly
and my intake of food is minimal? top
Your metabolism tends to adapt to a long diminished
food intake period. It is a manner in which the body
slows down the metabolism rate to save energy for
cellular function. If this should occur it is important
to contact your Aftercare Provider. Together you
can analyze your diet and exercise regimen and help
set you back on a healthy course.
19.
Can I eat spicy food after I have had the band adjusted?
top
Each person reacts differently to the band. Where
some people have no problems with spicy foods, others
do. As a rule, however, spicy foods produce gastritis
and edema of the gastric mucosae (swollen stomach),
which causes a decrease or even blockage, of the passage
through the neck of the band. This could cause harm
to the stomach, and cause dehydration, making it impossible
to drink fluid, (vomiting is also present) when this
occurs.
20. Does the consumption of salt cause weight
gain?top
Salt does not have a caloric value. Some people are
not allowed to eat salt due to other medical problems,
and when they do eat salt, it is in small amounts.
A total suppression of salt in a diet is impossible,
because most food contains a certain amount of salt.
Ham, hot dogs, soup cubes, prepared foods, etc. are
examples of foods that contain high levels salt.
1.
Will I be sick a lot once I have a band?
2. Will I be constipated if I have a band?
3. Will I need vitamin supplements?
4. Can I take prescription medicines and over-the-counter
drugs once I have the band?
5. Can I get pregnant while wearing a band?
6.
What if I go out to eat?
7. Can I drink alcoholic beverages?
8. How much weight will I lose with a band?
9.
10. Does the band require frequent follow up visits?
11.
Will the band limit my physical activity?
12. How is the band adjusted? 
13. Do I have to be careful with the port?
14.
15. 
16. Will I need pain medication in the hospital?
17.
18. 
19.
Can I eat spicy food after I have had the band adjusted?
20. Does the consumption of salt cause weight
gain? 
