If you’re considering undergoing a gastric band procedure, you’re probably curious about what you can expect your life to look like in the months following your surgery.
After a gastric band, your focus will be placed on your recovery and adopting new healthy habits into your life.
By taking the appropriate steps and following your surgeon’s advice, you can expect great results by the time you reach the six-month mark.
However, achieving weight-loss success following bariatric surgery requires commitment, determination, and big lifestyle changes.
Patients who have the most success with a gastric band don’t return to old habits. They choose healthier food options and eat slower, and have a more active lifestyle.
Here is a month-by-month guide of what you can expect your life to look like after a gastric band.
Month one
During the first month following a gastric band, weight loss happens rapidly, creating many changes within your body.
As your stomach adjusts to the restriction of the gastric band, you’ll feel full quickly, and you’ll only be able to eat small portions of food.
You’ll be restricted to a liquids-only diet for the first two weeks after your surgery. This will include liquids such as.
- Water
- Clear broth
- Sugar-free juice
- Caffeine-free tea
- Protein shakes
Moving into weeks three and four, you’ll be able to start adding pureed foods into your diet.
Pureed foods have a similar consistency to baby food. Examples include:
- Pureed chicken or fish
- Cooked pureed vegetables
- Low-fat yoghurts
- Low-fat cottage cheese
- Cream soups
Month two
As you enter your second-month post-procedure, you’ll likely be given the go-ahead to introduce soft foods into your diet. This transition will usually take place during weeks five and six.
These foods don’t have to be pureed but must be carefully chewed before swallowing. Examples of soft foods you can eat during this time include:
- Pasta cooked to a soft consistency
- Rice
- Soft bread and muffins
- Canned tuna or chicken
- Scrambled or soft-boiled eggs
You’ll then be able to introduce solid foods into your diet gradually. Eating small portions is essential to avoid discomfort due to your stomach’s new smaller size.
During this time, you’ll also have your gastric band adjusted for the first time. The purpose of an adjustment is to ensure that you feel satisfied when you eat and that you’re gradually losing about one to two pounds per week.
Band adjustments are performed without further surgery. During your gastric band procedure, your surgeon will place an easy-to-reach port under your skin. With this port, your gastric band can be loosened or tightened as needed.
Adjusting your gastric band is a simple process that won’t take more than 15 minutes.
Months three-five
For bariatric surgery patients, it’s not uncommon for weight loss to temporarily slow down around three-five months after the surgery.
If you want to continue your ongoing weight-loss journey, it’s vital to prioritise healthy habits and stay focused on your goals during this period.
The gastric band is an excellent weight loss tool, but it still requires your full commitment to living a healthy life. This lifestyle change is the key to making the procedure successful and becoming the happiest, healthiest version of yourself.
You’ll want to focus on preparing healthy meals, eating only when hungry, exercising regularly, and staying hydrated.
Month six
By the six-month mark, you’ll have noticed some significant changes to your body, both inside and out.
If you’ve succeeded in losing an average of one to two pounds a week, you’ll have lost 25 to 50 pounds by this stage.
However, your journey is far from over. After your surgery, you should lose weight for the next one-two years.
To keep losing weight as you pass the half-year mark, you’ll want to continue to follow your healthy lifestyle.
Important healthy habits to follow include:
- Eat three small meals per day
- Embrace a diet of protein and low carbohydrate
- Exercise regularly
- Plan your meals
- Drink plenty of water
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night
- Eat only when you’re hungry
- Skip foods or drinks high in sugar and fat
- Limit alcohol intake
Along with changes in your appearance, you may also notice an improvement in your health, especially if you suffer from an obesity-related condition.
Losing weight has excellent health benefits, such as improved blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar.
Also, by the six-month mark, you may be ready for a second, or even third, adjustment of your gastric band.
If you’re interested in learning more about the gastric band procedure and how it can change your life, we would love to hear from you.
The team at Auralia has years of experience performing bariatric surgery in Ireland and can provide you with the procedure you need to feel more confident about your body.
Book a free consultation today with our leading team of Irish cosmetic surgeons.
