Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location

We've expanded your view

You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Diseases & Conditions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Lap Band Surgery: How Many Calories a Day?
Content

Ask An Expert

Lap Band Surgery: How Many Calories a Day?

Karen Handy

Karen Handy, M.P.H.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Question:

I had lap band surgery and I have lost 65 pounds, but I am getting discouraged because my weight seems to have stopped there. How many calories should I have a day? I am limited to about a cup of food three times a day.

Answer:

First of all, congratulations on your weight loss so far! Unfortunately, weight loss plateaus are a frustrating and all-too-common occurrence, even with weight loss surgeries. If you hit a plateau in the first year or two after lap band surgery, your surgeon would be the best person to evaluate what might be contributing to the slow-down and whether or not the volume of food you are consuming per day is appropriate. The plateau could be an indication that your surgeon may need to increase the restriction in your band and thus reduce the volume of how much you are eating per day. Plateaus can also occasionally be caused by the band being too tight, which can encourage a greater intake of liquid calories, or softer foods, which tend to slip through more easily and fail to leave you feeling full and satisfied (and make you more likely to increase your calorie intake).

If the amount of restriction in your lap band is not the issue, your surgeon will likely want to review your food and exercise records to see if the amounts and types of food you are eating (and beverages you are consuming) could be contributing to a halt in your weight loss. B Because the amount of food that can be eaten is so small, it is very important to make sure that every calorie "counts" - i.e., that everything you consume is something your body needs. You may also want to take a look at how much physical activity you are doing and see where and how that might be increased so that you are not only restricting your calorie intake but increasing the number of calories you burn each day.

Reports in the medical literature suggest that those who have had lap band surgery can expect to lose about 40-50 percent of their excess body weight. To achieve the best results, for weight loss and good health, it's important to adhere to the following guidelines:
  • Eat three small meals per day; no snacking between meals.
  • Focus on eating protein first each meal to insure adequate intake (and protein helps us feel more full or satiated).
  • Avoid high-sugar, high-fat, high-calorie foods.
  • Eat slowly and chew food until it is of "baby food" consistency.
  • Avoid fibrous foods such as nuts and seeds, corn, popcorn and grapes.
  • Stop eating as soon as you feel full.
  • Avoid drinking while eating (or your solid food will slip through more easily).
  • Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day outside of meal times (and drink only low-calorie, non-carbonated beverages.
  • Exercise regularly.
.

Related Questions

Question
  • Healthy Snack Choices
    What are good snacks to eat throughout the day? Also - I don't like the taste of water. What can I substitute?
  • Antioxidants and Heart Health
    Can antioxidants help prevent a heart attack?
  • Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol
    I'm looking for a natural way to lower my cholesterol. Besides watching what I eat and exercising, is there anything else, like dietary supplements, that would work?
  • Exercise or Weight Loss for Health
    My goal next year is to improve my overall health. Can you tell me if I should focus more on lowering my weight (as I'm a few pounds heavier than I should be), or concentrate more on exercising?
  • Lowering Fasting Blood Sugar Levels
    Is there anything that can be done to lower my fasting blood sugar? I can control my postprandial blood sugar by limiting carbs during a meal, but my fasting blood sugar has been rising over the last year and it seems to be beyond my control.

Back to Nutrition

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Flu Resources
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2021 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences