More Vegetables Anyone

Weight loss surgery patients need to focus on protein protein and more protein.  This is the mantra that we preach.  However, did you know that there is actually protein in plant food as well. Don’t underestimate the power of vegetables.  Think of all of the wonderful fruits and vegetables there are in the grocery store.  When was the last time that you had a plate full of them!  Talk to you surgeon’s nutritionist more about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables.

There is a great documentary called Forks over Knives that also highlights this!  You can watch it on Amazon.

Just a little can make a difference

There is a great article on cnn.com today about how a young man lost 175 pounds.  He decided to lose the weight after having tingling in his legs and some random chest pains.  He decided that at 24 years he should be at the prime of his life and not worried about his health problems.  After much determination, he lost the weight.

The article goes on to say that according research that just even a little bit of weight loss can be beneficial health wise.  Even as little as five to ten pounds.  That is something to keep in mind as you are on your journey!  Just a little bit can be a healthy thing.  So many times I hear patients get frustrated when they have “only lost 5 pounds.”  Five pounds is good!  It is all relative.  Five pounds lost is better than five pounds gained!  Keep that in mind.  Whatever it is going to take to make sure that you keep your mind on the right track to lose weight.  I have said it before and I will say it again–one step at a time, one day at a time, one minute at a time if necessary.

Weight loss surgery is not the easy way out.  You have to put one foot in front of the other just like any other life changing plans.   It is more than just the surgery–it is changing your lifestyle.   You can’t just have surgery and expect that your life and weight is going to change without some effort on your part.

Who should you tell?

This week I had an interesting conversation with a patient that was going to have weight loss surgery.  She wanted to know if she should tell her children about the surgery or not.  One of the great things about the lap band particularly is that you lose weight gradually.  It is only a day surgery and usually people are up and about right away.   A lot of patients have the surgery on a Friday and are back to work on Monday morning.   This begs the question, who do you need to tell?

In my experience there are actually a lot of people who have weight loss surgery who do not tell everyone.   Some people only tell their spouse.  It is not really necessary to tell everyone and their brother that you are having the surgery.  Who you decide to tell about it is really a personal choice.  I know that a lot of people do not want to be known as the weight loss surgery poster child at work or with their circle of friends.   You really do not have to tell anyone.  It is a medical procedure and really it is none of anyone’s business but your own.

With the lap band, you lose weight more gradually so really there is no reason to tell a lot of people.  You can simple tell people that you are eating better and exercising, which is hopefully, really true.  The procedure is usually only about thirty to forty-five minutes.  You can just tell your work that you need the day off for some doctor’s appointments.  With the gastric bypass and sleeve, there is more recovery time involved.  Therefore, patients sometimes feel the need to tell more people.  Again, you can if you want but you don’t have to tell anyone, only unless you feel comfortable.

Of course, there are people who do want to tell everyone about their surgery.  This is also acceptable.  It is completely up to you.   No one needs to know anything about it unless you want them to know.  You can make your journey as private or as public as you want.

No matter what you decide, remember to take advantage of the support that your surgeon’s office offers.   This is the most important, especially if you do not tell people.  You want to make sure that you have some people in your corner when the going gets rough!