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Weird weight-loss beliefs

December 24, 2020

Chances are, if you’ve done any sort of research about how to lose weight—whether you searched for recipes or physical activity plans—you’ve gotten more than a few ads promising weight-loss cures. Anything that promises you will lose weight “overnight” or lose a significant amount of weight in just one week is a lofty claim, and an unsafe one at that. 

Five-bite diet

The Five-Bite Diet is exactly what it sounds like. The diet consists of skipping breakfast and only eating five bites for lunch and five bites for dinner. An eating plan that severely restricts your caloric intake is unsafe. Failing to eat enough calories not only prevents individuals from meeting their nutrient requirements for optimal functioning, it can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and cause your body to go into starvation mode. This can lead to numerous other harmful effects. 

Waist trainers

If you follow popular celebrities in Hollywood like the Kardashians, you’ve probably heard about waist trainers. The waist trainer is a modern take on the corset, and users wear it for several hours per day to lose weight and change their body shape. Not only are they restricting and uncomfortable, they can make it difficult to breathe. They can even damage your internal organs and bones, leading to pain and indigestion. This “quick fix” won’t lead to long-term weight loss.

Portable infrared saunas 

The claim is that by sitting in a portable infrared sauna every day, you can increase your metabolic rate. In fact, sitting in a sauna for prolonged periods is not recommended and can actually cause dehydration. Not only that, but the weight lost is usually only water weight. Sauna suits are also not recommended. 

Surrounding yourself by the color blue

There’s information floating around that the color blue can make food seem unappealing and can actually suppress your appetite. There are even blue-tinted glasses sold on the market as appetite suppressants.  

Stay away from any “magic” pills or creams sold over the counter that promise “unbelievable weight loss!”. Chances are, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Throw out those odd beliefs about losing weight by smelling fruit or watching yourself in a mirror as you eat, and talk to your doctor about an exercise regimen, eating plan, or weight-loss procedure like the non-anatomy altering Lap-Band® Program that works for you and your lifestyle. 

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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.