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Here are ten rules for eating, drinking, and exercise that wil help you to get the best results you can with the Lapband System. How willing you are to follow a new way of eating is key to having success with this tool.

1. Eat only 3-4 small meals a day. 6-8 oz each.
2. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly.
3. Stop eating as soon as you feel full or finished the portions.
4. Do not drink while you are eating or for 45-60 minutes after eating.
5. Do not eat between meals.
6. Eat only good quality foods.
7. Avoid fibrous foods.
8. Drink 6-8 glasses of non-caloric fluids a day.
9. Take liquid vitamins twice a day.
10. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.

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Before getting a fill, ask yourself these questions.

Are you getting enough protein?
Are you avoiding liquid calories?
Are you making healthy food choices?
Are you eating proper food portions?
Are you avoiding soft foods?
Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day between meals?
Are you avoiding drinking during and for at least 45 minutes after meals?
Are you avoiding junk foods?
Are you eating protein first, then veggies?
Are you eating only when you are hungry?
Are you sitting down to eat? No distractions.
Are you committed to weight loss?
Are you honest to yourself about how much you are eating?

Avoid all liquid calories.
-Soups
-Alcohol
-All fruit juices
-All soft drinks. No carbonation.

Proper portion sizes.
-Meat and fish - 3 oz is the size of a deck of cards.
-Vegetables - 1/2 cup is the size of your fist.
-No rice, potatoes, pasta and fried foods.

Now that you are following the above guidelines, you may need a fill if:
-You are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry within 2-3 hrs after eating.
-Your weight loss has stopped for 3 wks even though you are controlling portions and getting in enough protein and avoiding liquid calories.
-You are not drinking with meals.
-You are hungry between meals even after a proper band snack.

Lap Band Diet & Nutrition The following rules will help you to succeed during your weight loss journey with the Lap Band.

• Rule 1: Eat three times a day (This is what every body needs).
• Rule 2: Eat only solid foods (The Lap Band does not restrict liquids).
• Rule 3: Chew thoroughly. (If you don't, you will not reach the sensation of fullness and be more likely to have food get stuck.)
• Rule 4: Do not drink liquids with your meals. (This will cause the food to be washed through the band quickly and defeat the purpose of the band…to restrict!)
• Rule 5: No high calorie liquids. (While juices are fine for thin people, we can sabotage the whole process with liquid calories!)

Eating with the Lap Band

The goal is that you eat about a third of what you used to. Always try to choose good quality foods. The band decides the quantity, you decide the quality. We want you enjoying food and living life to the fullest by reaching our goal and staying there.

This is from another site: 

10 important rules Here are ten rules for eating, drinking and exercise that will help you get the best results you can with the Lap-Band® System. How willing you are to follow a new way of eating is key to making the operation a success.

1. Eat only three small meals a day
2. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly (approximately 15 to 20 times a bite)
3. Stop eating as soon as you feel full
4. Do not drink while you are eating
5. Do not eat between meals
6. Eat only good quality foods
7. Avoid fibrous food
8. Drink enough fluids during the day (at least 64 ounces)
9. Drink only low-calorie liquids
10. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day

Why the rules are important and how to make them work

Rule 1 - Eat only three small meals a day

The Lap-Band® System creates a small stomach pouch that can hold only about half a cup (3 to 4 ounces) of food. If you try to eat more than this at one time you may become nauseous. You may also vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small stomach pouch may stretch. That will cancel the effect of the operation. Frequent vomiting can also cause certain complications, such as stomach slippage. You need to learn how much your stomach pouch can hold comfortably and then not exceed this amount.

Rule 2 - Eat slowly and chew thoroughly

Food can pass through the new stomach only if it has been "chopped" 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 hurry your meal, you may eat more than you need. This can lead to nausea and vomiting. Take time over your meal. Try to recognize the feeling of fullness. Then stop eating at once.

Rule 4 - Do not drink while you are eating

This operation can work only if you eat solid food. If you drink at mealtimes, the food you have eaten becomes liquid. Then the effectiveness of the Lap-Band® System is greatly reduced. You should not drink anything for one to two hours after a meal. That way you can 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.

Rule 6 - Eat only good quality foods

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 healthy as possible. Do not fill your stomach pouch with "junk" food that lacks vitamins and other important nutrients. Your meals should be high in protein and vitamins. Fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, and cereals are good foods to choose. Foods high in fat and sugar are not. You may eat apples and oranges, but try to avoid orange juice and apple juice.

Note: Solid food is more important than liquid food. The Lap-Band® System will have little or no effect if you eat only liquid food. Liquid food passes through the stomach outlet very quickly and does not make you feel full.

Rule 7 - Avoid fibrous food

Food such as asparagus that contains many fibers can block the stomach. 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 you must 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

If you lose weight, your fat content will drop. That results in waste products. You will need to drink large amounts of liquid every day in order to urinate more and excrete these waste products from your body. Individual needs will vary, but you should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day. 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 otherwise follow your diet.

Rule 10 - Exercise at least 30 minutes a day

This rule is just as important as the other nine rules. Since physical exercise consumes energy and burns calories, it is very important to successful weight loss.

Exercise can help improve your general health. Your size may make it hard for you to exercise as much as you should. But get started, even if it is a little at first. The more weight you lose, the easier it should get. Start with simple exercises, such as walking and swimming. Gradually expand your program to include more vigorous forms of exercise such as cycling, jogging and aerobics.

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, etc.

Well, I had my surgery Thursday and everything went really well.  I had a hernia, which Dr. Balder repaired.  I haven't been hungry yet, but after reading everyone's posts, that will be coming shortly.  I'm trying to get lots of protein in since I know low protein = hunger for me.  I can't sleep tonight but outside of that I feel really good.  Started journaling again tonight and reading Oprah's book, Making the Connection. Her story hits home and is soooo true.  I want to start exercising right away and get in a routine.

I just got off the phone with BJ from Dr. Balder's office.  My surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 12:00.  I'm very excited and a little anxious about spending $12,000 cash for a last ditch effort to get a grip on my weight.  I've started a liquid diet and now all I have to do is drink lots of liquids before my big day.