Patients frequently ask me “Why do I have to eat so slow?” I think it helps to understand why patients who have had the band, bypass or the sleeve need to eat much slower than they did before surgery. The major component of weight loss with all three procedures is restriction, or limiting the capacity of the new pouch or stomach to hold food. Eating slow small bites allows the new surgical pouch to fill up with pieces of food in an orderly fashion. This also gives time for the brain to recognize the stretch on the stomach pouch so that the patient can recognize when they should stop eating which would be BEFORE discomfort sets in. Those who eat too fast fill the pouch in a random fashion and the pieces of food are then more likely to obstruct the outlet and cause vomiting. Also, those that eat too fast may miss the signal from the brain telling them the pouch is full and to stop eating. Eating meals should take 20-30 minutes. This is especially important for band patients because how tight we can make the band is dependent on how well the patient can eat properly and not get food stuck. If you are frequently getting food stuck, that’s as tight as we can make the band or we may even have to take some fluid out. If patients learn to eat slower and never get food stuck, then we are able to make the band a little tighter.
– Dr. Darren Soong
Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
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