Weight Loss Tips, Success Stories and Expert Advice

Many individuals make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight. While there’s nothing wrong with that, many people make unrealistic, drastic weight-loss goals. These unrealistic weight-loss resolutions can end up being damaging to your mental health and can set you back. It’s better to set more positive, health-centered New Year’s Resolutions that are easier to reach.

Losing weight, especially after having bariatric surgery, is an understandable resolution to make. However, the best way to lose weight with the Lap-Band® is not drastically, but slowly and steadily. Rather than making a goal of seeing a specific number on the scale, focus on healthy behaviors. Chances are, incorporating these healthy behaviors will help you naturally lose weight.

Work up to a fitness goal

If you’ve never been a runner, but you make a resolution to run a half marathon by the spring, you may be setting yourself up to fail. Instead, consider making a more attainable goal. Work up toward a 5K by the end of the year. Make it a goal to do 25 push-ups in proper form. Aim to increase your flexibility, and define what that means to you. Maybe you just want to be able to touch your toes, or maybe there’s a tough yoga pose you’re hoping to land. Maybe you’ll reach your goal before the end of the year, and that’s okay. Just make another one.

Eat mindfully

Practicing mindful eating is a great New Year’s Resolution. The practice is definitely beneficial after having the Lap-Band Procedure. Listen to what your body is telling you. Eat slowly, and focus on the flavors and textures you’re experiencing. Chew your food thoroughly. Eating shouldn’t be a race. Take your time so that your stomach and brain are on the same page and you can quit eating when you’re full. Mindful eating is a great way to prevent you from overeating, which in turn will help you naturally lose weight.

Skip the fad diets

Because many people want to lose weight quickly, they resort to fad diets. Don’t do that. They can be tough on your body, and oftentimes they aren’t all that healthy in the first place. They can cause you to self-sabotage and gain more weight in the end. Small changes make all the difference. Resolve to make small, healthy changes to your diet and continue to adapt as each small change becomes habit. Your Lap-Band Support group will be able to help you with appropriate dietary choices.

It’s important to remember that any sort of lofty resolution can both be damaging to your mental health and your physical health. Drastic resolutions, such as deciding to work out every single day when you normally never exercise, can cause you to burnout and give up your resolution by February. Small changes and consistency are key.

Many patients wonder if they can still consume alcohol after the Lap-Band® Procedure. Can you make alcohol a healthy part of your post-Lap-Band Procedure life? Let’s discuss!

To succeed with the Lap-Band System, you must stick to your goal of making major, lifelong changes to your eating habits. That means, as you recover, it’s crucial to eat and drink the right way. It’s going to take a month or more for your new stomach structure to heal completely. You must follow your dietitian’s instructions carefully. Not only can eating too much too fast cause you to become sick and vomit, but the same goes for drinking too much or too fast. For the first several weeks after your surgery, you’ll need to follow a specific food list, with liquids limited to water, skim milk, vegetable broth, and sugar-free juice. That means no sugary, carbonated alcohol.

Once you are adjusted to the Lap-Band, you will want to drink only low-calorie liquids. Those containing calories will simply run through the narrow outlet created by the band. There is the chance that, if you drink high calorie liquids like beer, wine, and liquor, you may not lose weight even if you are otherwise following your diet. It is recommended that you avoid alcohol for at least six months following your procedure. When your specialist gives you permission to start drinking alcohol again, avoid sugary and carbonated beverages. Keep your consumption to a minimum, as you can become intoxicated quicker and drinking after bariatric surgery can lead to low blood sugar. Be aware of calorie content, and consume your beverage slowly with a meal. Pay close attention to your consumption to ensure it isn’t becoming a problem.

It is not recommended that patients addicted to alcohol or drugs undergo the Lap-Band Procedure. It puts you at significantly higher risk for dangerous side effects. It also makes it more difficult to follow the strict food rules and make the necessary lifelong changes to your eating habits.

If you have questions about your alcohol consumption after Lap-Band, speak with your dietician or specialist.

Sources:

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery-blog/2012/july/can-you-drink-alcohol-after-weight-loss-surgery

LAP-BAND System: Surgical Aid in the Treatment of Obesity: A Decision Guide for Adults

The weight-loss journey can be an incredibly emotional one. Not only are there emotional setbacks that prevent you from starting the journey, but doubts may creep in during the journey too. Finding strategies to overcome these emotional setbacks is crucial to maintaining long-term success.

Before you begin your journey, you’ll need to understand that some of your relationships may suffer and fall apart entirely. Not everyone will understand your commitment to your weight loss. They may be frustrated when you say no to a Friday night pizza outing, or when you refuse to skip the gym to hang out with them. Others may not be ready to embrace your new lifestyle, and that’s okay; find the people that are.

On your weight-loss journey, it’s important to remember that you are a person, not a math problem. Weight loss might seem entirely like a numbers game, but it’s so much more than that. The numbers on the scale are important, but there may be weeks that you don’t lose as much weight as weeks prior. It can be easy to fall into the trap of feeling like a failure. However, staying consistent is key. The weight will come off. You also need to pay attention to how you feel in your body, and how the healthy lifestyle changes you’ve made are contributing to a happier life. There are activities you may not have been participating in previously because you were uncomfortable in your body or didn’t feel like you could do it; embrace these new activities and prioritize self-care. Weight loss is just as much about improving self-esteem as it is about improving health and seeing the numbers on the scale drop.

On your journey, there are times you’re going to feel like the “fat person” at the gym or studio. You might feel ashamed because you can’t physically complete an exercise another person is demonstrating. You might find yourself comparing your fitness levels to another’s. All of these feelings are normal, yes, but you must remember that everyone deserves to be at the gym—no matter their size. If you find that you’re extremely uncomfortable, look for a new gym with a stronger support system or find a workout buddy who will encourage you and be a source of positivity at the gym. If you feel comfortable enough, try working with a trainer. They’ll slowly help you build strength so that you can work up to exercise that you never thought possible.

There will be times you might want to give up. You might feel guilty or unworthy of being a healthy person. You might start to doubt yourself and feel like you can’t lose the weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a result, you may participate in self-sabotaging behaviors. It’s normal that your self-image may take a while to catch up to your physical changes. Get to the heart of these negative feelings, reach out to your support system, and start engaging in regular positive self-talk.

Source:

http://www.lifetime-weightloss.com/blog/2013/10/19/8-insights-into-the-emotional-journey-of-weight-loss.html

Do you food journal? Are you hoping to get into the habit? Studies suggest that food journaling can double weight loss, but it’s much more than simply writing down your food intake. You should include information like your mood, hunger level, and dining environment. Observing these patterns can help you understand why you eat the way you do and evaluate any changes you need to make.

The act of writing down what you’re consuming each day tends to encourage people to consume fewer calories. When everything is written down, you have an accurate understanding of just how much you are eating for each meal, each day. You’ll begin to notice patterns. This awareness can help you dial it back if you notice you are consuming too many calories or too many carbs, and so on.

When food journaling, take it one step further by monitoring other factors so you can truly understand your eating habits. Track your hunger level so you can begin to understand hunger cues. How hungry are you when you eat meals? Do you feel like you’re starving? Are you just the right amount of hungry? Are you not hungry at all and you’re eating because you’re bored? If you’re eating when you’re not hungry, you’re probably falling victim to emotional eating. If you’re starving when you go to eat your next meal, you might not be eating enough at mealtime or you need to start eating small, healthy snacks in-between meals.

What is your mood like when you eat? Write it down. If you’re feeling a bit irritable, is it because you waited too long to eat? Moods can often contribute to what you end up choosing to eat—whether it’s a good choice or a poor choice. If you are feeling low, do you punish yourself by restricting caloric intake or eating fatty, greasy foods? Stress (and being tired) often leads people to crave a quick pick-me-up in the form of unhealthy foods.

In your food journal, you should also keep track of your environment. Who are you eating with? Where are you eating? Are you eating on large plates or small plates? We eat with our eyes, which means that we often compare our meals to those around us. We can also be tricked into thinking less is more when using a smaller plate. When eating with a friend, many people tend to eat more because you’re enjoying conversation and lingering at the table longer than you normally would. If you’re mindlessly eating in front of the television, it’s easy for you to consume a lot more than your body needs.

Take all these factors into consideration when you’re food journaling; you’ll begin to notice potentially detrimental patterns. Once you grasp these patterns, you can work on systematically changing them into more positive behaviors.

Sources:

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. Medtimo 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/