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What is the last thing you ate? What have you eaten in the last 12 hours? Now, can you recall the sensation you felt eating the food?

Chances are, if you’re able to recall everything you ate in the last day or so, you certainly can’t recall how you felt when you ate it. Studies show that, while Americans may spend an average of 2.5 hours eating per day, more than half of that time is spent multitasking. While eating, we’re working, driving, watching television, or mindlessly scrolling Instagram. Most of us aren’t fully mindful of what we’re eating. Some studies suggest that these mindless eating patterns can lead to obesity. Mindful eating can be the change you need to set you on the right path for healthy eating.

When practicing mindful eating, you are focusing on the moment. At the same time, you are acknowledging how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking, and how your body is feeling. You can apply this technique to any food you eat by truly paying attention to every bite you take.

Mindful eating goes further than how you feel during the actual act of eating. The act of being fully attentive to your food involves your food at every level—from purchase, to preparation, to plating, to consumption. In fact, it starts with your grocery list. Are you considering the nutritional value of every item you’re written down for purchase? Are you thinking about how it will make you feel once you’ve consumed it? Will you feel good about serving it?

When it comes to the actual act of eating, think about your appetite. If you’re starving, you’ll want to fill up quickly. That doesn’t give you a whole lot of room to eat slowly and think about what you’re consuming. Being hungry—but not ravenous—will help you dish up a healthy portion. Using a smaller plate is helpful, as it tricks the eye into thinking you’re consuming more than you are. Before digging in, take a minute to appreciate the food and express gratitude. As you eat, be sure to take small bites, chew slowly, and set your utensil down in-between bites; you’ll be able to absorb the full flavor. Make sure all your sense are part of the meal: how the food smells, looks, feels, tastes, and even sounds as you chew it.

In combination with a tool like the Lap-Band® System, which promotes satiety, eating mindfully can be a powerful tool in controlling your eating habits.

Source:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/8-steps-to-mindful-eating

If you’ve done any research into the Lap-Band® System, it’s likely that you’ve run across a few myths. It’s understandable to have questions before you take such a leap into your weight-loss journey. It’s time to set the record straight about Lap-Band and erosion rates.

Myth: Lap-Band has a high erosion rate

As with any major surgery, there are risks and the potential for complications. Some risks are associated with the patient’s ability to tolerate a foreign object implant in the body. While band slippage and erosion can happen, the rates aren’t nearly as high as believed. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, can contribute to an increased risk of band erosion. They should be used with caution.*

Some people have the wrong impression that all gastric bands are being removed because there is a high rate of erosion. Five-year results of prospectively enrolled patients in a US multi-center registry were published in 2013. Patients with the Lap-Band had a significant drop in their BMI. Among potential complications, the erosion rate was minor at 0.5%. A five-year, results of a multicenter, longitudinal prospective post-approval international study were published in 2015. The results showed that the majority of device-related events were mild (53.2%). The explant rate was 2.7% after the first year, and 5.4% after 54 months. This shows a low explant rate through five years. Study authors concluded that the Lap-Band Procedure is safe and effective for people with a BMI of 30-39.9. Not only did co-morbid health issues improve, patients also reported an improved quality of life. A similar study published in 2018 revealed that, of 3,554 patients, only 114 patients experience erosion of the band into the gastric lumen for a rate of 3.2%.

The upgraded Lap-Band Device and high band placement, as well as an approach that is proven superior, have resulted in fewer complications with the procedure (namely: rates of erosion). Additionally, aftercare maintenance has improved. The explant rate for the Lap-Band AP era is only 5.5% (N = 1896) and the erosion rate is only 0.69% according to studies conducted in 2018.

*Refer to Lap-Band® System Safety Information for more information

Sources:

Safety and Effectiveness of LAP-BAND AP System: Results of Helping Evaluate Reduction in Obesity (HERO) Prospective Registry Study at 1 Year. Cobourn, Chris et al. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Volume 217, Issue 5, 907 – 918
JB Dixon, L L Eaton, V Vincent, R Michaelson, for the LAPBAND Lower BMI Study Group, LAP-BANDs for BMI 30–40: 5-year health outcomes from the multicenter pivotal study, International Journal of Obesity.
Long-Term Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Weight Loss at 10 or More Years for All Bariatric Procedures and a Single-Centre Review of 20-Year Outcomes After Adjustable Gastric Banding. O’Brien, Paul E. et. Al. Obesity Surgery, Volume 29, Issue 1, pp 3-14 .

Is body acceptance the secret to healthier eating? Some studies suggest that it might be. It can be tough to hear the message over and over about what you should be doing or what you should be eating, especially when they’re advertised as being “easy to follow” tips. You might be feeling defeated because you’re struggling to follow that advice. In that defeated mindset, you actually end up becoming unmotivated rather than motivated. On the flip side, you might be motivated to try unhealthy yo-yo diets that do more harm than good—to your body and your mindset.

Lack of body acceptance and positivity seem to be at the heart of the problem for many individuals who are overweight or obese and struggling to lose excess weight. Hating your body and feeling uncomfortable in it can lead you down a dark, dark path. On one side of the spectrum, you may not feel worthy of losing weight and living in a smaller body, so you will self-sabotage. On the other hand, there is the tendency to start an unhealthy diet, restricting favorite foods and necessary calories. Very quickly, people give up on this type of restrictive diet and find themselves back at square one.

There is the common misconception that body acceptance promotes weight gain and unhealthy eating patterns. That is simply not true. Learning how to appreciate your body and the amazing things it can do at each size has been shown to reduce the dangerous practice of yo-yo dieting and unhealthy weight fluctuation. A healthy view of the body should be adopted in adolescence.

When your desire to lose weight is accompanied by thoughts such as, “I want to feel better,” I want to have more energy,” and “I want that pair of jeans to fit better,” individuals are able to more effectively adjust their food and exercise habits. Losing weight can be a slow-moving process at times, but noticing how much better your body feels as you go throughout the process will keep you motivated and consistent. Making how your body feels a priority can lead to healthier eating and weight loss.

Notice how you talk to yourself on a daily basis. Are you positively encouraging yourself to stay on track, or are you cutting yourself down?

Source:

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/lisa-rutledge/body-acceptance-health_b_15387546.html

Are you wondering if the Lap-Band® System is the right weight-loss tool for you? It’s important to understand who the system is designed for, who qualifies for the procedure, and why it can be the best option for you.

Before heading on the weight-loss journey, you need to find the right system for you and your lifestyle, whether that means adopting a new diet, undergoing surgery, or both. In order to lose weight safely with the Lap-Band Procedure, you are required to meet specific criteria. For starters, you must be 18-years-old or older. You must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m². If you have an obesity-related comorbid condition, you can have a BMI of 30 kg/m² and still qualify for Lap-Band. If you suffer from a disease that may have caused weight gain, you may not qualify for the procedure. You should have a history of unsuccessful weight-loss attempts.

The Lap-Band is a great tool for weight loss, but it is not a cure. Individuals who decide to have the Lap-Band Procedure must be prepared to change their lifestyle and their eating habits. Without these changes, the Lap-Band may not be as effective as it should be. Individuals should also not drink an excessive amount of alcohol, and they must commit to a strict diet. If you are pregnant, it is best to pursue the Lap-Band Procedure following the pregnancy. However, if you become pregnant after you have the Lap-Band, it does not need to be removed. The Lap-Band System is the only weight-loss surgery option that is adjustable and can adapt to the changing requirements of pregnancy.

Your Lap-Band Specialist will determine if you have any number of factors that may negatively impact the effectiveness of the Lap-Band. Any of the following conditions may impact the safety of the procedure, and therefore you may fail to qualify:

Inflammatory disease or gastrointestinal tract conditions
Heart or lung disease
Increased risk of bleeding in the esophagus or stomach, or birth defects in these areas
Portal Hypertension
An intraoperative gastric injury
Cirrhosis
Chronic Pancreatitis
Alcohol or drug addiction
Infection in the body that prevents surgery
Chronic, long-term steroid treatment
Allergies to materials in the Lap-Band
Pain intolerance to implanted devices
Autoimmune connective tissue diseases (in you or a family member)

The Lap-Band is a long-term implant. Removal or replacement may be necessary, especially for individuals who become ill. Placement of the Lap-Band is done laparoscopically, but it is still a major surgery that is subject to risks and complications. The most common complications include: band slippage, pouch dilation, stoma obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal dilation, cholelithiasis, incisional infection, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, or nausea/vomiting. See Lap-Band Directions for Use (DFU) for full list of complication.

The Lap-Band has the power to change your life. Speak with your specialist today to learn more about the Lap-Band System and to begin your weight-loss journey: https://www.www.lapband.com/find-a-specialist/

Sources:

Directions for Use (DFU). LAP-BAND AP® Adjustable Gastric Banding System with OMNIFORM® Design. Click here for details.
The LAP-BAND® System Surgical Aid in the Treatment of Obesity – a decision guide for adults. ReShape Lifesciences Inc. 04-0409 Rev. A. 04/17/19
O’Brien, Annemarie Hindle, Leah Brennan, Stewart Skinner, Paul Burton, et al. “Long-Term Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Weight Loss at 10 or More Years for All Bariatric Procedures and a Single-Centre Review of 20-Year Outcomes After Adjustable Gastric Banding.” Obesity Surgery. The Journal of Metabolic Surgery and Allied Care. Published online: 06 October 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-018-3525-0

The weight-loss journey isn’t an easy one, especially when your goal is to lose a drastic amount of weight utilizing bariatric surgery such as the Lap-Band® System. Psychological obstacles can play a major role in weight loss and whether or not you are successful. It’s vital that you have a support system on your weight-loss journey.

Research shows that having a team of individuals who supports your weight-loss and exercise goals will positively contribute to your long-term health goals. Support on your weight-loss journey comes in three forms: emotional, inspiring, and practical. Emotionally, you will need someone you can lean on when you are feeling down and discouraged. Similarly, you need inspiration to keep you going, whether that’s someone who tags along at the gym or encourages you to stay on track. From a practical sense, you need someone who helps you carry out your health goals by taking you to the gym, helping you cook healthy meals, or watching your kids so you can get in a good workout.

In order to get this support, you need to be upfront with your family and friends by telling them what kind of support you need from them and why. They should be aware of your goals. They may participate in some negative, unsupportive behaviors, such as encouraging you to slip up one night and eat a slice of pizza or to skip your workout to go to the movies. It may be easy for them to feel as if you don’t want to do things anymore, but remind them that you aren’t participating in those behaviors because it doesn’t align with your health goals, not because you don’t like them anymore. Understand that certain friends or family members may not be in the right frame of mind to help you on your journey, and you’ll need to find other people for support.

Support involves give and take; you must be willing to listen to and support others on a similar journey. If it’s easier for you to stay on track with your diet, but it’s easier for your friend to stay on track with exercising, rely on each other to balance out your strengths and weaknesses. It’s easy to feel ashamed if you slip up, but don’t isolate yourself; reach out to others when you are feeling down.

First and foremost, your Lap-Band specialist and dietitian should be there to fully support you. But you also need supporters who are on the same journey you are. Look for community health groups and attend local exercise classes.

Source:

https://diet.mayoclinic.org/diet/motivate/social-support-for-weight-loss?xid=nl_MayoClinicDiet_20151021

Meal prepping has a great deal of benefits for individuals who are hoping to lose weight and stick to healthier eating habits. Not only can it help you save money by buying items in bulk, wasting fewer ingredients, and eating out less, it’s a win-win if you’re trying to stay on track with your new eating lifestyle post Lap-Band® Surgery.

Meal prepping has two obvious benefits that help people lose weight. Not only is it great for portion control, it helps you control what you eat. When meals are pre-planned and cooked ahead of time, it’s harder to slip up and eat something that doesn’t fall within your meal plan. Temptations like mid-day fast food runs and happy hours with your coworkers are easier to resist when you know you have lunch and dinner already made.

An unexpected perk of meal prepping is the variety it provides. How many times have you come home from work, stressed about what to cook, and then relied on the same old tired recipe? Instead of feeling satisfied, you’re bored and you’re craving junk food. When you have the time to plan out a week of meals, grocery shop, and prepare the meals at the start of the week, you have more time to think about variety and incorporating different fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your meals. This variety will in turn give you a good mix of nutrients. You’ll also say goodbye to the extra stress of worrying about what to prepare every night.

Part of your Lap-Band aftercare journey involves following a specific meal plan and ensuring that you fill your body with high-quality foods, like proteins and nutrient-dense foods. Following along with this meal plan and meal prepping goes hand-in-hand. Instead of making food decisions on the fly each day and wondering if you can or can’t eat something, you’ll have a meal already prepared that meets all of your requirements.

Meal prepping might feel like a daunting task at first, so instead of a full week of meals, try making meals for three or four days instead. Sit down with the meal plan your Lap-Band specialist or dietitian provided you, and search your favorite cookbooks, Pinterest, or Google for flavorful recipes that meet your food guidelines. Once you choose your recipes, create a master list of everything you’ll need to buy. If you can plan recipes with overlapping ingredients, such as spinach in your morning smoothie and as a side for dinner, you can cut down on costs. You’ll also save money if you choose recipes utilizing an ingredient you already have in the house, such as chicken breasts, fish, or a certain spice.

Be sure you set aside dedicated time both for planning meals and cooking them so you can make meal prepping a habit.

Source:

http://www.eatingwell.com/article/291319/meal-prep-for-weight-loss-8-ways-it-will-make-you-more-successful/

For those trying to stick to healthier eating habits and lose weight, meal prepping offers a great deal of benefits. Meal prepping can help you save money by eating out less and buying items in bulk, wasting fewer ingredients. It also encourages healthy portion control, so it’s a win-win if you’re trying to stay on track with your new eating lifestyle post Lap-Band® Surgery.

How meal prepping can help your weight-loss journey

Portion control and healthier options

For Lap-Band patients, meal prepping has two obvious benefits that can help them lose weight. Not only is it great controlling how much you eat, but it also helps you control what you eat. When meals are pre-planned and cooked ahead of time, it’s harder to slip up and eat something that doesn’t fall within your meal plan. Temptations like midday fast food runs and happy hour with your coworkers are easier to resist when you know you have lunch and dinner already made.

Eat a variety of foods

An unexpected perk of meal prepping after Lap-Band surgery is the variety it provides. How many times have you come home from work, stressed about what to cook, and then relied on the same old tired recipe? Instead of feeling satisfied, you’re bored and you’re craving junk food.

When you have the time to plan out a week of meals, grocery shop, and prepare the meals at the start of the week, you have more time to think about variety and incorporating different fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your meals. This variety will, in turn, give you a good mix of nutrients. You’ll also say goodbye to the extra stress of worrying about what to prepare every night.

Part of your weight-loss journey after the Lap-Band procedure involves following a specific meal plan, ensuring you fill your body with high-quality foods, like proteins and nutrient-dense foods. Following this meal plan and meal prepping go hand-in-hand. Instead of making food decisions on the fly, you’ll have a meal already prepared that meets all of your requirements.

How to meal prep after Lap-Band surgery

Once you choose your recipes, create a master list of everything you’ll need to buy. If you can plan recipes with overlapping ingredients, such as spinach in your morning smoothie and as a side for dinner, you can cut down on costs. You’ll also save money if you choose recipes utilizing an ingredient you already have in the house, such as chicken breasts, fish, or a certain spice. Be sure you set aside dedicated time both for planning meals and cooking them so you can make meal prepping a habit.

Curious about how the Lap-Band Program can help you lose weight and get on track to a healthier lifestyle? Watch our online seminar today!

You’ve probably heard adaptive fitness discussed in the context of individuals who have suffered accidents or have disabilities that impact the way they move. However, adaptive fitness can also be an important part of your weight-loss journey after the Lap-Band® procedure.

Adaptive fitness includes exercises that are modified to accommodate people with temporary or permanent disabilities. When it comes to exercising after the Lap-Band procedure, trainers use adaptive fitness to develop plans for individuals who may have trouble doing certain exercises due to their weight.

The importance of exercise after Lap-Band

Individuals who undergo bariatric surgery, like the Lap-Band Program, are overweight or obese. During the aftercare process, exercise will be an important part of encouraging healthy weight loss, along with a balanced diet, portion control, hydration, and healthy sleep habits. For overweight and obese individuals who have just started their weight-loss journey, completing certain exercises may be difficult or impossible

For instance, you may not be able to squat deep enough to benefit from the move. Some poses may be uncomfortable because of the pressure they put on your joints, or you may have trouble getting up off the floor repeatedly for certain exercises.

How adaptive fitness can help you exercise after Lap-Band surgery

Adaptive fitness is all about doing moves that are comfortable. This means focusing on low-impact exercises that take your range of movement into consideration. After your Lap-Band surgery, you should start slow and work up to more difficult exercises once you are more comfortable. If you have limited mobility in certain areas due to excess weight, work on building strength in other areas.

Many of our patients find exercising in water to be easier on their joints. It’s a great way to work on cardiovascular fitness in a supported, low-impact environment. Other examples of adaptive fitness exercises include doing push-ups against the wall instead of the ground and staying seated while performing exercises. After Lap-Band, you should start your fitness journey by working on increasing your stability and flexibility.

Exercise will not only help you lose weight after Lap-Band—it will also help relieve stress and anxiety and improve your self-esteem and mood. Just remember, there’s a difference between pain and muscle soreness. If you feel stabbing or sharp pain during exercise, stop immediately and contact your doctor.

Learn more about the Lap-Band Program with our free online seminar, or check out the Lap-Band blog for more tips on diet and fitness after bariatric surgery.

If you’re considering undergoing bariatric surgery, you have several choices. One of the main draws of the Gastric Band, or Lap-Band®, is that it involves no partial amputation of the stomach or digestive tract. The Lap-Band is completely adjustable to your body’s changing needs, and, if the need arises, it can also be removed.

When considering weight-loss surgery, one of the most common questions asks if pregnancy is possible after Lap-Band surgery. Not only is it possible, but because the Lap-Band is adjustable, the gastric band can remain in place during pregnancy. Some people opt to have it adjusted during their pregnancy or removed altogether once their goal weight is achieved. It’s important to consider your options before removing the Lap-Band during pregnancy.

Lap-Band advantages

One of the major benefits of the Lap-Band is that it is non-anatomy altering, adjustable, and removable. The minimally invasive Lap-Band Program allows for a quick recovery time in which most patients can head home on the same day as their surgery. The procedure is performed with just a few small incisions and is completed laparoscopically. However, it is not recommended that the band is removed once patients reach their goal weight. Weight loss with Lap-Band is gradual, and patients can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.

The Lap-Band is considered a tool in the weight-loss process. Its success is determined in conjunction with the other important steps patients take, including an exercise regimen and a healthy diet with balanced portions. The Lap-Band helps patients control portion size, and when it is removed, patients may no longer feel satisfied with smaller portions. Removal of the band may cause patients to begin eating larger meals, causing the potential for weight regain.

Lap-Band removal

Removing it is not advised once you reach your goal weight. However—though uncommon—if patients experience complications such as food intolerance, heartburn or acid reflux, band slippage or erosion, or Esophageal Dilation, the Gastric Band may be safely removed. Removal is completed laparoscopically.

The Lap-Band and pregnancy

Many women wonder if they can become pregnant after the Lap-Band procedure or if they will need to have the band removed. Though it is safe to have the Lap-Band while pregnant, it is recommended that patients don’t get pregnant until at least a year or two after the procedure. Patients typically lose most of their weight in the first year, so it is advised that patients wait until their weight stabilizes to become pregnant with the Lap-Band.

During pregnancy, the Lap-Band can help with safe portion control; it is a common misconception that women must “eat for two” while pregnant. The Lap-Band can be adjusted during pregnancy to allow for larger portions if needed. Some surgeons will recommend that the band is emptied before giving birth, but patients should speak with their doctors regarding their pregnancy and the Lap-Band.

For more information on pregnancy and the Lap-Band, register for our online seminar or call 1-800-LAPBAND.