The lap band totally changes your life. Thank God! The way you think about food and deal with it every single day is completely different. Some days are better than others, but when you slip into bad habits the band is there to remind you.
The band is a TOOL. The better you follow the rules, the better the results. The great thing is that the band makes it so much easier to do than ever before. I’m only 6 months out and learning more and more every day.
Ten Important Rules for Living with the LAP-BAND®
Following the food choices covered in detail in the previous section and the general guidelines below is critical to your success. These ten important rules for eating, drinking, and exercise below will help you get the best results with the LAP-BAND® System:
1. Eat only three small meals a day.
2. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly.
3. Stop eating as soon as you feel full.
4. Do not drink while eating.
5. Do not eat between meals.
6. Eat only good quality food.
7. Avoid fibrous food.
8. Drink enough fluids during the day.
9. Drink only low-calorie liquids.
10. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
Rule 1: Eat only three small meals a day.
Your new small stomach pouch can hold only about one-fourth of a cup of food. If you try to eat more than this at one time, you may become nauseated or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small stomach pouch may stretch. Frequent vomiting will cancel the effect of the operation and can also cause certain complications, such as stomach slippage. To avoid this, you need to learn to listen to your body.
Rule 2: Eat slowly and chew thoroughly.
Food can pass through the new stomach only if it has been chewed into very small pieces. Always remember to take more time for your meals and chew your food very well.
Rule 3: Stop eating as soon as you feel full.
Once your stomach is full, your body receives a signal that you have eaten enough. It takes time, though, for you to become aware of this signal. If you rush through your meal, you may eat more than you need. This can lead to nausea and vomiting. Take time to eat your meal. Try to recognize the feeling of fullness—then stop eating at once.
Rule 4: Do not drink while you are eating.
The LAP-BAND® can work only if you eat solid food during your three meals. You should not drink anything for one to two hours after a meal. This allows you to keep the feeling of fullness as long as possible.
Rule 5: Do not eat between meals.
After a meal, do not eat anything else until the next meal. Eating snacks between meals is one of the major reasons for weight-loss failure. It is very important to break this habit. Patients with proper “fill” levels do not feel hungry in between meals. If you are feeling hungry, this may be a sign that your band is too loose and you should tell your clinician.
Rule 6: Eat only good quality food.
With the LAP-BAND® System in place, you should be able to eat only a small amount so the food you eat should be as nutritious as possible. Follow the nutrition guidelines in the previous section and specific instructions from your surgeon and/or dietitian. Also, ask your doctor or dietitian before you take any vitamin supplements.
Rule 7: Avoid fibrous food.
Food that contains many fibers, such as asparagus, can block the stoma. That’s because you can’t chew this food well enough to break it up into small pieces and your saliva can’t break it down. Fibrous food should be avoided. If you would like to eat asparagus or other fibrous foods once in a while, then be sure to cook them well, cut them into very small pieces first, and then chew thoroughly.
Rule 8: Drink enough fluids during the day.
Drinking enough fluids is essential for staying hydrated and for flushing waste products out of your body. Individual needs will vary, but you should drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day. Remember: You should only drink water, tea, or coffee (without milk, cream, or sugar). Also, keep your food and drinks completely separate during the day.
Rule 9: Drink only low-calorie liquids.
Drinks, including those containing calories, simply run through the narrow outlet created by the band. If you drink liquids high in calories, you will lose little weight, even if you follow all of the other dietary guidelines.
Rule 10: Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
Since physical exercise consumes energy and burns calories, it is a very important component in any successful weight-loss program. Exercise can also help improve your general health. In addition to adopting a routine exercise program, you can increase your activity level in the course of daily living. For example, stand rather than sit, walk rather than stand, be outside rather than inside, walk rather than drive, climb the stairs rather than use the elevator. Remember that you should always check with your doctor about the amount and type of exercise that is best for you.
The first priority for the Lap Band diet or recipes is PROTEIN. Here is a short list that I keep handy listing the protein values of common foods that our family (and probably yours) has in the kitchen.
This year I came up with the PERFECT Christmas gift for Jessica. 
Happy New Year! 2008 is going to be a fabulous year!
As I look back over 2007 the one thing that sticks out most in my mind is getting my lap band. I started looking into what it was and how it worked in late winter and decided by mid-spring that this was the answer for me. I’m glad, now, that it was such a tough journey to get information, find the right doctor and get the surgery. In having to fight for this I knew without a shadow of a doubt this was for me.
