Have you had or are considering gastric band surgery? Bariatric patients have some important considerations to think about regarding their diet before and after surgery. For patients undergoing lap band surgery, a Medifast bariatrics plan can help address some of those concerns.
Your doctor will have some specific instructions for you about your diet, and he or she may already be familiar with Medifast. But if not, let’s take a look at how using Medifast will work for your diet before and after surgery.
Using Medifast Before Lapband Surgery
Several weeks before your scheduled surgery date, this would be the time to start changing your diet. In addition to taking whatever vitamins and minerals are prescribed, you’ll need to cut down on caffeine and carbonated drinks. You’ll also need to cut down on fats, sweets and high-carbohydrate junk foods.
To help you prepare, your doctor may recommend that you use one of two options. Previously, for the Medifast 5&1 eating plan, you would be eating five Medifast meals per day and then one meal that you would prepare for yourself. For the second plan, your doctor may recommend that you follow a liquid diet — which would mean using only Medifast shakes and hot drinks, not their other products.
Medifast after bariatric surgery
Right after your lapband surgery, you will be on clear liquids only for a few days. After that, you’ll move on to eating (usually) only low-fat liquids for two weeks. Most Medifast products will be suitable for this period except for Oatmeal Packs, some soups and of course Medifast Bars.
In the third phase (and two weeks) of your post-bariatric surgery diet, you will begin eating some pureed foods, as well as liquids. At this point, you can try things like cottage cheese, applesauce, and even Medifast oatmeal.
Then there is the final phase, when you start eating normal textured foods. You’ll need to focus on getting plenty of protein without too much fat in your diet. This is where Medifast food can help as they are all high in protein.
Of course, everyone’s body is different and patients can have different experiences after gastric band surgery. So you always want to follow your doctor’s instructions on how you should proceed with your diet. And most importantly, pay attention to the signals your body gives you. If you feel uncomfortable eating something, don’t eat it.
