Thousands of Colorado residents have enjoyed weight-loss success after the LAP-BAND® procedure. But the road to significant, stable body fat reduction requires your active participation.
Following the LAP-BAND® surgery, your surgeon will inform you of your responsibilities and help you create a plan to achieve and maintain long-term results. Below, we’ve listed some generalized behavior modification suggestions to give you an idea of the changes that are optimal after the insertion of the LAP-BAND® system. Keep in mind that every body is unique, so each patient’s recommended lifestyle changes will be highly personalized.
Recommended Lifestyle Tips Following LAP-BAND®:
- Exercise: Your new LAP-BAND® will not limit you physically. Most patients are encouraged to participate in a variety of exercise types, including cardiovascular fitness, stretching, strength training, and core/balance exercises.
- Nutrition: Remember that your new Band will help create a feeling of fullness sooner, so you’ll eat less at each sitting. You also should make sure everything you eat has nutritional value, avoiding “empty” calories as much as possible. Your personal nutritionist will give you detailed nutritional guidelines to help you ensure you are practicing good portion control and getting the nutrients you need.
- Supplements: While it is possible to get the required daily nutrition from your daily meals, we recommend that you take multi-vitamins to keep up with important levels of things like Iron, B-vitamins, and minerals like Zinc.
- Medication: Most patients are able to continue with any prescribed medication they are currently on, such as birth control pills, blood pressure medication, insulin, and others. Generally, it is suggested that LAP-BAND® patients crush all pills to ensure safe swallowing.
- Portions and Speed: A lot of patients worry about what to do during dinners out or large family feasts. If you go out to eat, order a small portion or split a meal. Chew thoroughly and practice eating at a slow pace. Another trick is to have your waitress box up half your meal and bring you only half at the table.
- Alcohol: Alcohol in small quantities should not hinder weight loss. However, keep in mind that it has a lot of calories and tends to reduce the effectiveness of vitamins and supplements.
Talk to an experienced LAP-BAND surgeon today about the procedure and how lifestyle changes can help you lose weight and keep it off. Please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum today at Lap Band Rockies in Denver for a personal consultation.
—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant
