To ensure that consistent dietary/nutritional restrictions following a gastric band are understood and followed by the patients.

The target group will know:

• The four stages of the Gastric Band Diet
  • To include high-protein, low-fat foods
  • To avoid sweet/sugary foods
  • To chew foods thoroughly
  • Not to eat and drink together
• How to adapt/adjust food textures to work with the gastric band
• To be aware of the importance of compliance with multivitamins and minerals

The target group will understand the importance of, and how to adjust portion size throughout the stages of the diet.

The target group will understand that vomiting should not occur if the diet is being followed correctly, and that dietetic advice is required if this does occur.

Based on American Nutritional Guidelines for Surgical Weight Loss Patient (ASBMS) (Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, S73-S108 (2008) and BOMSS Guidelines on perioperative and postoperative biochemical monitoring and micronutrient replacement for patients undergoing bariatric surgery 2014 http://www.bomss.org.uk/bomss-nutritional-guidance/

ASMBS Integrated Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient 2016 Update: Micronutrients, Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 2017; 13: 727–741

Practical Recommendations of the Obesity Management Task Force of the European Association for the Study of Obesity for the Post-Bariatric Surgery Medical Management, Obesity Facts 2017;10:597–632.

Endorsed by the British Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS).

Please be aware that the UK Chief Medical Officers have issued new advice regarding alcohol consumption:

• Men and women are advised to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, and to have several alcohol free days each week.
• Women should take no alcohol during pregnancy.