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The important role sleep plays in weight loss

January 30, 2020

If you’ve ever followed any specific weight loss plans, it’s most likely you probably never thought to incorporate sleep into the plan. Most likely, you probably thought about getting up earlier and actually sacrificing sleep to get an extra workout in, staying up longer so you could burn more calories, or skipping power naps in the middle of the day because you thought it made you lazy. Contrary to what you might have thought in the past, studies show that sleep plays an important role in weight loss and helping you stick to your health goals.

Far too many adults report that they don’t get enough sleep each night. It’s suggested that as many as one third of American adults receive under six hours of sleep per night. For some, poor sleep may be the missing link when it comes to reaching weight loss goals. Poor sleep has been linked to obesity through the years. While everyone’s sleep patterns and requirements differ, studies show that getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night is linked to weight changes. One review even concluded that inadequate sleep increased obesity risk by 55% in adults. Weight gain can also aggravate sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. As a result, sleep quality can decline even further.

Have you ever noticed that after a poor nights’ sleep, you wake up craving all the foods you know you probably shouldn’t be eating? That’s because ghrelin, a hormone that signals to your brain that you are hungry, is higher when you get less sleep. Leptin, the hormone that signals fullness, is lower when you don’t get adequate sleep. This makes you more likely to overeat or feel hungrier. Similarly, being deprived of sleep can dull the activity of the part of your brain that controls decision-making, the frontal lobe. At the same time, the reward centers of your brain are activated by food when you are sleep-deprived. This may cause you to indulge your cravings for foods that are calorie-laden, fattening, and full of sugar. Because your self control is inhibited, your caloric intake may increase.

Some studies show that inadequate sleep may lower your metabolism. One study even suggests that poor sleep can cause muscle loss. You may also feel less motivated to exercise.

All in all, your body performs at a higher level when you’re fully rested. Make quality sleep an important part of your routine, and you may notice fewer cravings, more energy, and a healthy weight change.

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Important Lap-Band® System Safety Information

The Lap-Band System is indicated for weight reduction for patients with obesity, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m2 or a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2 with one or more obesity-related comorbid conditions. It is indicated for use only in adult patients who have failed more conservative weight reduction alternatives, such as supervised diet, exercise and behavior modification programs. Patients who elect to have this surgery must make the commitment to accept significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

The Lap-Band System is not recommended for non-adult patients (patients under 18 years of age), patients with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or increase the risk of poor results, who are unwilling or unable to comply with the required dietary restrictions, or who currently are or may be pregnant.

The Lap-Band System is a long-term implant. Explant and replacement surgery may be required. Patients who become pregnant or severely ill, or who require more extensive nutrition may require deflation of their bands. Anti-inflammatory agents, such as aspirin, should be used with caution and may contribute to an increased risk of band erosion.

Placement of the Lap-Band System is major surgery and, as with any surgery, death can occur. Possible complications include the risks associated with the medications and methods used during surgery, the risks associated with any surgical procedure, and the patient’s ability to tolerate a foreign object implanted in the body. Most common related adverse events include: Band slippage, pouch dilation, stoma obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal dilation, cholelithiasis, incisional infection, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, or nausea and vomiting may occur. Reoperation may be required. Rapid weight loss may result in complications that may require additional surgery. Deflation of the band may alleviate excessively rapid weight loss or esophageal dilation.

Important: For full safety information please click here or talk with your doctor.