Both the “Gastric Band” and “Sleeve Gastrectomy” makes you eat less and feel full in two ways – by reducing your appetite and by reducing the capacity of your stomach. After a small meal, the amount of which varies from person to person, you should feel satisfied. If you follow the nutrition guidelines when you choose your food and chew your food well, you should not feel hungry or deprived. Remember that the “Gastric Band” and “Sleeve Gastrectomy” are tools to help you change your eating habits.

Yes, you will be advised to take a multivitamin supplement daily. At your regular check-ups, your specialist will evaluate whether you are getting sufficient vitamins.

You should be able to take prescribed medication. You may need to use capsules, break big tablets in half or dissolve them in water so they do not get stuck and make you vomit. You should always ask the doctor who prescribes the drugs about this.

Order only a small amount of food, such as an appetizer. Eat slowly. Finish at the same time as your table companions. You might want to let your host or hostess know in advance that you cannot eat very much.

Alcohol has a high number of calories. It also breaks down vitamins. so it considered to be harmful to weight loss.

From six weeks after surgery, as long as food is eaten slowly and carefully, you should be able to eat most foods with a “Sleeve Gastrectomy”. This is also the case with “Gastric Banding” although there will be some additional long term food restrictions with “Gastric Banding” that don’t apply to the “Sleeve Gastrectomy”. Because you can only eat a little it is important to include foods high in important vitamins and nutrients, as advised by your surgeon and/or dietitian. If you eat foods that contain lots of sugar and fat or drink liquids high in calories, such as (full strength) milkshakes, the effect of the “Gastric Banding” or “Sleeve Gastrectomy” may be greatly reduced or cancelled.

There may be some reduction in the volume of your stools, which is normal after a decrease in food intake because you eat less fiber and may drink less fluid. This should not cause you severe.

One of the advantages of “Gastric Banding” is that it can be adjusted, such as during pregnancy or illness. If your illness requires you to eat more, the band can be loosened by removing saline from it. When you have recovered from your illness, the band can be tightened by increasing the amount of saline. For people who have had a sleeve gastrectomy, although the “Sleeve” cannot be adjusted during illness, nutritional requirements can be met by other means.

Getting pregnant can be easier as you lose weight, i.e. fertility might increase. Your menstrual cycle may become more regular. For women with a gastric band, if you need to eat more whilst you are pregnant, the band can be loosened. After the pregnancy, the band may be made tighter again and you can resume losing weight. For women who have had a sleeve gastrectomy, although the “Sleeve” can not be adjusted during pregnancy, nutritional requirements can be met by other means.