Category: Blog Posts

Have you tried to lose weight but you can’t seem to lose a pound? Or perhaps you have managed to lose weight following a new diet, but once you began to adjust to a normal eating plan, you gained all of the weight you lost and more. This story is all too relatable for countless individuals, Debbie included. She decided she was ready to take the leap and try the Lap-Band® Program, designed for individuals who have tried to lose weight multiple times but are unable to maintain long-term weight loss.  

Growing up

The pressure to lose weight is felt at a very young age by countless individuals, and it can have negative consequences. Debbie was told that “She’d be so cute if she lost a little bit of weight” growing up. 

Choosing Lap-Band

“We’ve all been at the place where we’ve done diets,” Debbie says. While individuals can lose weight on diets, Debbie explained that “the weight tends to come back and every time you step on the scale it goes up.” Understanding she needed a little assistance, she decided to talk to a Lap-Band Specialist. “It was time for me to do this for myself,” she says. The Lap-Band Program was an attractive option because the surgery is performed laparoscopically as an outpatient procedure. Debbie was able to go home the same day as her procedure, allowing her to focus on healing and starting her weight-loss journey. 

Seeing results 

Debbie lost 84 pounds in a year and a half with the Lap-Band Program, and she’s still going strong! One of her primary goals was to be able to go off her blood pressure and blood sugar medicine, and the Lap-Band Program helped her do that. The joy that she gets from seeing the scale drop a pound or two is indescribable. 

Advice 

Debbie describes the Lap-Band Program as a blessing. Even if you’re scared, like she was, she encourages you to talk to a specialist: “You will not regret your decision to have the Lap-Band Surgery.” 

*Results and patients’ experiences may vary. 

Are you looking to reignite your motivation for weight-loss? Losing weight can be a long, incredibly difficult process. You may be struggling to keep going, and you may even be questioning your goals in the first place. If you are feeling doubtful about your goals or the process, check out our tips to help you find your weight-loss motivation again.

Make a list

Now might be the best time to make a list of all the reasons you want to lose weight to remind yourself why you started this process in the first place. Be sure you physically write down your reasons, rather than brainstorming in your head. Writing them down will make them more real. Try to focus on health reasons—rather than physical appearance—such as: to prevent diseases, to feel better physically, or to go off blood pressure medications.

Write a letter

Do you remember being a child in school and writing a letter to your future self? Why not take this same principle and apply it to your weight-loss goals? Write a letter to yourself one year (or more) into the future that includes all of the goals you have for yourself. Write about how you feel now versus how you hope to feel one year from now. Making goals for the future—and writing them down—gives you something concrete to work toward. You’ll be able to see all the progress you’ve made by opening the letter a year from now.

Enjoy the process

Far too often, individuals only make weight-loss goals that focus on the outcome, not the process itself. You may feel overwhelmed about a high weight-loss goal, so try focusing on process goals instead. Focus on learning to enjoy the process and increasing your ability. For instance, you may choose to focus on the increase in how much weight you can lift, how long you can run, how many push-ups you can do, or how flexible you become. Don’t forget to celebrate these successes! You may want to begin a food and activity journal to keep track of your accomplishments.

Find the right plan

It is going to be incredibly difficult and discouraging attempting to adjust to a routine that simply does not fit your lifestyle. Instead of making a weight-loss plan that makes it near-impossible for you to succeed, make a plan that accommodates your lifestyle. If you work very early in the morning, don’t make yourself get up at 3AM for a workout. Instead, incorporate a visit to the gym after your shift. If you are severely restricting your food intake, consider that dieting is limiting and can cause people to fail. Instead, focus on the healthy foods you do love.

If you need a little extra motivation, consider reaching out and finding a support system. A group of people on a similar journey can really keep you motivated!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that approximately 42.4% of the American adult population is obese. Does obesity increase your risk for breast cancer? Obesity can make the risk of certain medical conditions increase, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, strokes, and some cancers. Unfortunately, obesity is linked to a higher risk of getting breast cancer. 

High estrogen levels

Women who are overweight or obese after menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer. Menopause typically happens in a woman’s forties or fifties, occurring after a woman has her last menstrual cycle. Menopause is marked by the decline in reproductive hormones. The ovaries stop producing the hormone estrogen, which means the remaining estrogen in the body comes from fat tissue. The more fat tissue in the body following menopause, the higher the estrogen levels. A woman with obesity is also more likely to have a high level of insulin in her body, which has been linked to breast cancer. 

Unclear research 

However, the link between breast cancer is not clear-cut, and experts still have a lot of questions to answer. For instance, some research shows that women who have struggled with being overweight since childhood may not share the increased breast cancer risk that women who gain weight after menopause have. Additionally, certain types of breast cancer, such as hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, may be more likely than other types depending on weight gained after menopause versus before.  

Breast cancer risk factors 

Given how complicated the link between obesity and breast cancer is, it’s important to understand the other risk factors for breast cancer. Experts do still suggest that obesity is linked to breast cancer, so avoiding weight gain is important. Consuming even one alcoholic drink per day is linked to breast cancer, while the risk of developing breast cancer increases as the drinks per day increase. Some forms of birth control and hormone therapy following menopause can increase the risk of breast cancer too. Still, the most important link appears to be physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle can increase breast cancer risk in women, so experts recommend that women hoping to reduce their risk of breast cancer should exercise regularly.  

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To review the risk and symptoms of breast cancer, visit: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month. If you are concerned about your risk for breast cancer, talk to your doctor.

Have you tried to lose weight in the past but have not found success? If you are beginning to feel hopeless, you aren’t alone. Thousands of individuals have stood in the same place you are right now. It may be time to consider alternative weight-loss options like bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery options include sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, duodenal switch, and gastric banding with the Lap-Band® Program.

Bariatric procedures are life-changing procedures and the decision to pursue surgery should not be taken lightly. It requires a major commitment and willingness to change your life. Individuals must meet specific requirements.

Failed weight-loss attempts

Before individuals are able to undergo a bariatric procedure, they must go through a thorough evaluation by their surgeon. The screening process includes ensuring you are healthy enough for the procedure and that you have failed with more conservative weight-reduction alternatives, such as supervised diet, exercise, and behavior modification programs. Patients who elect to have surgery must make the commitment to accept significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

BMI

In order to pursue weight-loss surgery, your BMI must be a certain number. With Lap-Band Surgery, your BMI must be at least 40 kg/m² or higher, or at least 30 kg/m2 with one or more obesity-related comorbid conditions. For instance, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you may qualify for the Lap-Band Procedure at a BMI of 30 kg/m².

These qualifications are in place to ensure that you lose weight safely. If you are wondering if Lap-Band is right for you, talk to a specialist today.

For full safety information, visit: https://www.www.lapband.com/safety/

Do you find yourself sitting on the couch, mindlessly staring at the television and reaching into a bag of chips or box of cookies? Mindless snacking and mindless eating can cause you to consume a large number of calories in a short amount of time. If you’ve noticed the numbers on the scale climbing and are unsure why, mindless eating could have something to do with it. Our tips can help you overcome this habit.

Visual cues

Various experiments have tested the theory that relying on external, visual cues when eating is more effective than relying on internal cues. For instance, participants eating from a bottomless bowl of soup that refilled as they ate consumed more soup yet did not report feeling fuller than their counterparts who ate a set serving size. A similar experiment was conducted using chicken wings. Seeing the chicken bones as they accumulated helped individuals eat less. A meaningful lesson is to be learned from these experiments: visual reminders of how much you’ve eaten can help you remain mindful of what you’ve eaten. 

Portion size

Take a look at the portion sizes you are consuming. Typically, when individuals serve themselves, they eat most of the food on their plate. Giving yourself smaller servings, or using smaller plates to make the servings look larger, can help you control mindless overeating. 

Don’t buy trigger foods

Do you have specific trigger foods that you know you can easily overeat? Avoid the temptation to overeat by simply not buying them or hiding them in the pantry. If the goodies are hidden, the concept of “out of sight, out of mind” applies.

Limit variety

Sensory-specific satiety is the idea that our senses become numb to repeat exposure of the same flavor. If a new food is introduced, our appetite is restored. This phenomenon, which mainly applies to junk foods, reinforces the idea that having a wide variety of foods in one meal can cause you to overeat. This especially comes into play at get-togethers, like holiday parties, and buffet-style eating. Avoid mindlessly eating by stick to one or two dishes. 

Avoid convenient eating

Individuals typically snack more when they have easy access to snacks, such as a drawer of quick, easy foods in their desk at work. On the contrary, individuals are less likely to overeat if they have to prepare the snack and sit at the table to consume it. Preparing the food can be a deterrent to some, and it makes others think twice about whether they are truly hungry, or if they just want to snack mindlessly. 

Practice mindful eating

This may seem like a no-brainer, but the best way to curb mindless eating is by embracing mindful eating. You can do this by eating slowly, taking your time as you chew each bite, thinking about and savoring the flavor and texture of each bite of food, and setting down your utensil between each bite. Slowing down the eating process allows your brain time to process if you are truly full. You can even try eating with your non-dominant hand to really slow down the process. Be sure you also eat at the table, rather than mindlessly tuning into the television. 

For more tips for success, visit: https://www.www.lapband.com/tips-for-success/ 

Losing weight can be scary. The same reasons you may have gained weight may be the same reasons you are scared to lose weight. If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know that it isn’t particularly easy. You may fear that you won’t be able to lose the weight or that you don’t deserve to lose the weight. 

The psychology of weight loss

Losing weight can be an overwhelmingly emotional process even before it begins, as body image is closely tied to self-confidence. It can a psychological process, as individuals analyze what made them gain weight in the first place. This analysis forces individuals to consider what is holding them back: their fears. Delving into your fears can be emotional.

The unknown

Individuals may fear what they will look like when they lose weight and how they will feel. They may worry about having loose skin or scars. Not knowing is uncomfortable, and people don’t always deal with discomfort well. They may feel as if it’s easier to stay the same, even if they aren’t living a healthy lifestyle. Change is scary, but it doesn’t have to be. 

Relationships 

You’ve seen it happen countless times when an overweight celebrity loses a significant amount of weight. They receive harsh criticism from some, while others who never liked them before praise them. Whether we always realize it or not, we fit into a specific role in friendships based on our appearance and sense of self. If that changes based on weight loss, it can cause some to fear losing weight in the first place. Just as individuals fear the unknown because it causes discomfort, individuals may fear weight loss because it will cause them to step outside of their comfort zone to embrace new experiences, like dating. Holding onto excess weight can feel like a protective barrier, and losing weight can welcome unwanted attention for women. 

Failure

While many fear they won’t be able to lose weight, or at the very least, maintain the weight loss, others fear that losing weight won’t provide them with the outcome they so desire. How many times have you heard someone say that they’ll be happy once they lose weight or that they’ll go after that promotion once they lose weight? This puts a lot of pressure on weight loss. People may fear that, even if they do lose a significant amount of weight, they still won’t be happy. That’s enough to make many people not even start the weight-loss journey.

Overcoming your fear

Before you start your weight-loss journey, take stock of your fears. What is holding you back? Keep a journal with a list of your fears, and monitor your feelings to help uncover some unconscious (and potentially unhealthy) habits. 

Weight-loss goals are great, but start with small, attainable goals. A huge goal can be intimidating, to the point where you may be too scared to even start. Think of small goals as small steps that will go far in a long journey. This will also help you make long-term goals. Far too often people lose weight, but don’t think about maintaining weight loss. They may search for a quick fix, rather than establishing long-term healthy habits. 

Finding a support system can help you overcome your fears as well. Learn more about finding a support system and how it can benefit you: https://www.www.lapband.com/the-importance-of-a-weight-loss-support-system/

November is officially here! That means Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are right around the corner! With the holidays nearly here—no matter which ones you celebrate—cravings and temptations abound. Whether you’re a sucker for a sweet holiday drink from a coffee shop or you can’t resist a second helping of pie, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, it can be difficult to remember your health and wellness goals during the holidays. 

Goals

Making huge weight-loss goals during the holidays may or may not be realistic for you this season. Instead, try for a different goal that doesn’t focus on the number on the scale. Perhaps focus on eating a clean diet or cutting down on your sugar intake. Strict, lofty goals can make you feel guilty and trapped, which will add unnecessary stress on top of holiday stress. 

Choose what to enjoy 

Pace yourself. It’s okay to indulge in some of your favorite treats this holiday season, but be sure not to overdo it. Instead of indulging in half a dozen of your favorite holiday cookies, limit yourself to one or two. Rather than enjoying all the holiday treats you’re offered, only choose the one you enjoy the most. 

Lean in to your support system

Accomplishing your goals is a whole lot easier when you have people on your side. Partner up with those around you that are driven by their health and wellness goals this holiday season. They’ll be able to hold you accountable, and vice versa. They’ll also be a great resource to discuss frustrations and triumphs, and you can recruit them to safely join you for brisk walks and healthy dinners.  

Come prepared for parties

While large family gatherings aren’t recommended this year due to COVID-19, you may still be attending some small gatherings with close family that you’ve already been in close contact with. If you are heading to holiday parties, go prepared with effective strategies for overcoming temptations, including bringing your own healthy dishes. Limit your alcohol intake, drink plenty of water, and fill up on veggies before eating other foods. Don’t go to any gatherings starving, as this may make you prone to overindulge. (It’s also important to note that you shouldn’t go to the grocery store hungry, either.) Bring your walking shoes, and plan to go for a brisk walk following the meal, instead of lingering by the table and grazing on leftovers. 

If you are struggling this season, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Lap-Band® Specialist for support. 

Staying hydrated is especially important during the summer months, when it’s excessively hot and much easier to become dehydrated. If you have just had the Lap-Band® Surgery, it is even more crucial to stay hydrated. Some people can be hospitalized following bariatric surgery due to dehydration. It’s important to know the signs of dehydration and to develop strong habits of hydrating regularly. 

Understanding how much water your body needs is not one-size-fits-all as was previously believed, but a good number to aspire to is eight glasses of water per day. How much water you drink per day depends on a few factors, including your weight, any health conditions that can make too much water a problem, and any medications you may be on that can cause you to retain water. A good rule of thumb is to divide your body weight by two and then drink that number of ounces of water per day. For instance, if you weigh 150 pounds, you would need to drink 75 ounces of water per day. 

If you want your body to function properly, you need to drink a lot of water. Staying hydrated is also an important part of the weight-loss process. Staying hydrated improves your digestion, helps flush the system, and reduces fluid retention. Water is a necessary part of the food metabolizing process, which includes burning fat. Water also acts as a natural appetite suppressant, so sometimes if you feel hungry, you may actually just be thirsty and a glass of water will be enough to satiate you. 

You may find it difficult after Lap-Band Surgery to get your recommended daily ounces of water, as your stomach pouch is smaller. The process may a hard adjustment at first, but you will become accustomed to this. It is important that you do not drink fluids that will dehydrate you further, like caffeinated drinks or alcohol. Any carbonated drinks may also be an issue after Lap-Band Surgery or other bariatric surgeries. They could cause gas, bloating, nausea, and other stomach discomfort. These beverages can also have hidden sugar and calories, which can cause you to gain weight or plateau. 

It’s far too easy to go throughout the day without thinking about how much water you’ve consumed, so track your consumption with an app or set a reminder on your phone to drink water at regular intervals. Make sure you also carry a reusable water bottle with you so that you can refill it regularly. 

Diabetes has long been linked to obesity. Overweight and obese individuals increase their risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, which differs from type 1 (where the pancreas produces little, if any, insulin) results when the pancreas does produce enough insulin, but the cells in the body have become resistant to it. New studies have suggested that the insides of individual cells within the body can become stressed when an individual is overweight. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is located on the inside of cells, and overeating stresses the membranous network out. Essentially, the ER has too many nutrients to handle, and it becomes overwhelmed, so it sends out an alarm. This alarm tells the insulin receptors on the cell surface to become less sensitive, which leads to insulin resistance and high blood sugar. Fortunately, where type 1 diabetes is often a chronic and inherited condition, type 2 diabetes can be managed with diet and exercise. In some cases, it can even be reversed.  

There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, but some individuals may be able to reverse it, or at the very least, manage it easier and regulate blood sugar levels through diet and exercise. You may not require medication any longer, either. Diet and exercise are also able to help curb the symptoms or health concerns that come with type 2 diabetes. Losing a significant amount of weight immediately following diagnosis has proved to be a successful way to help reverse the disease.  

Exercising alone may not be enough to reverse the effects of type 2 diabetes, which is why it should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and weight loss. The Lap-Band® Program is ideal for individuals who have tried various other methods of weight loss but have found no success or have been unable to maintain the weight loss. The Lap-Band is a tool that can be tightened or loosened as your body or your physical needs change over time, therefore helping you achieve your weight-loss goals and maintain weight loss for a lifetime. It can help you stick to a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen. Following these healthy patterns has been shown to improve certain health conditions, like type 2 diabetes. 

Source: Dixon, et al. “Adjustable Gastric Banding and Conventional Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes.” JAMA. 2008.

Do you feel like you’ve hit a rut with your workout routine? Has your weight loss plateaued? It might be time to switch up your workout routine, especially because many gyms are still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be easy to get bored or tired with a workout routine. If you find yourself totally dreading workouts—or worse, beginning to skip them entirely—it’s time to switch things up. 

Change up your playlist

If you’re listening to the same songs over and over again, it can become too repetitive. Music is supposed to distract you, help you get through difficult moves, and motivate you to keep going. If it’s become too predictable, it’ll no longer be a helpful distraction. Make a new playlist full of the songs that motivate you; they’ll push you through those workouts where you think you can’t possibly do another rep. 

Join a group

You may not be able to join an in-person workout group right now, but joining an online group fitness class is a great way to switch up your routine. You’ll meet people who are in a similar position and you’ll get to try new classes. You might even meet a friend that can help hold you accountable, join classes with you, and take walks together (when it is safe to do so). 

Get outside

With gyms closed during the pandemic, you’ve probably been forced to bring your workout indoors. That can get tiresome quickly. Take your workout outside. Pick a scenic trail or your favorite park and go for a walk or hike. After every five minutes, stop to do a few exercises, like jumping jacks and lunges.

Up the intensity

If you’re doing the same exercises day after day, two things can happen: the exercises become easy or they become repetitive and boring. It might be time to up the ante. Do more reps, increase the weight you’re lifting, push your endurance by holding the move longer, or try a more difficult version of the exercise. Randomize your workout by learning new moves. You could even create workout cards and shuffle through the deck to incorporate new exercises during each workout.