Lap Band Surgery - Recovery and Aftercare with Lap Band Surgery

Following lap-band surgery, you should be able to return to work within a week, with minimal discomfort. You will need to follow a nutrition plan (which may include vitamin supplements) prescribed by your surgeon and/or nutritionist. The nutrition plan will likely include a liquid diet for a few weeks, until you can tolerate soft foods, and later solid foods. A specific exercise program, as well as behavioral-modification therapy, may also be recommended.

Check-ups with your doctor are a normal and very important part of the lap-band system follow-up. Many surgeons see their patients weekly or every other week during the first month and every four to twelve weeks for the first year. Adjustments are performed during some of these visits. On average, patients require six to eight adjustments of the band during the first 18 months following lap-band surgery.

It is typical for follow-up visits to be scheduled every three to six months during the second and third year, depending on the individual case.