What are gastric banding patients eating one year post-surgery?

There is a paucity of evidence-based dietary management guidelines for patients post-laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, including no consensus recommendations for macronutrient intake. We examined the macronutrient intake across a multi-centre cohort of post-bariatric surgery patients and compared these intakes to post-bariatric surgery and population-based dietary guidelines.

Two hundred and fifteen patients from three bariatric surgery centres in Melbourne, Australia were invited to complete a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire 12 months post-operatively.

Energy intakes of the 52 participants ranged from 1,140 to 13,200 kJ/day, with an average of 4,890 kJ/day (±2,360 kJ/day). Many patients did not meet minimum population recommendations for macronutrients. The average fibre intake was only 14 g/day (compared to the recommendations of 25 g for women and 30 g for men). The average diet 1 year post-operatively was 36% total fat compared to the recommendations of 20-25%, with 14% of intake from saturated fat.

Patients' dietary intakes vary significantly 1 year post-laparoscopic adjustable band surgery, with many patients not meeting recommendations. These results suggest that patients decrease their total energy intake; however, eating habits may not improve as they consume a diet high in saturated fat. It is recommended that all patients receive dietary education about diet quality post-laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery to assist them in improving their diet quality as well as quantity for optimal health and weight loss. Specific international guidelines for nutrient intakes for people undergoing bariatric surgery are needed.