Long-term success after LAP-BAND® surgery requires a comprehensive understanding of how the technology works as well as the steps you can take to get the most our of this important tool.
We all know that the Band is a tool to assist in limiting how much is eaten at any one time. Before surgery, patients are counseled to eat three regular meals a day and limit between-meal eating, snacking and liquid calories (since the calories eaten between meals and in liquid form can slow down or stop the expected weight loss). We also know that eating a wide variety of healthy foods is essential for long-term good health and disease prevention.
Many patients find that after the initial weight loss, they want to pay greater attention to what and when they eat. Some patients want to watch their food intake carefully to lose weight more quickly, while other patients strive to eat healthier foods as part of their “new lifestyle.” Still other patients find themselves slipping back into habits of snacking, or eating sweets or high-fat foods that will slow down their weight loss. A big part of our eating is mental. We eat out of habit, boredom, or as a reaction to stress or one of a dozen other triggers to our eating. Guidance from an experienced nutritionist can help you manage your cravings, adjust to an eating routine, and create a structured plan designed around your unique nutritional needs.
When making changes to our food habits, it often helps to have a coach. A dietitian or nutritionist can be a valuable resource to assist you in clarifying your goals, making the most effective changes, and describing behavior modification techniques and realistic goal setting. A registered dietitian (RD) can also ensure that you are making nutritious food choices, and that your new diet is one that will help you stay healthy for many years to come. The value of working with a professional coach is essential to success. Many patients find that simply by talking about their challenges, they find them easier to manage. Achieving your goals can be even more rewarding when you share the experience with someone who understands where you have come from and where you are headed.
Lap Band Rockies offers a wide variety of support services including nutrition consultations, psychological counseling, and Registered Dietitian advice. Contact our team in Denver to request a consultation with your personal coach.
—Paula Peirce, Nutritionist for Lap Band Rockies
Tags: nutrition after LAP-BAND
