At the most recent support group meeting, several patients who have not yet had gastric band surgery were in attendance. To the approximately 40 gastric band patients in attendance, these pre-op patients posed the question: “What was the hardest lifestyle change they needed to make to be successful with their weight loss?”
Not a single post-op patient raised their hand when asked if better food choices and avoiding junk food and sweets was the hardest lifestyle change after gastric band surgery. No one raised their hand when asked if exercising and being more active was the hardest lifestyle change they had to make. But all forty patients raised their hand when asked if eating slower and taking smaller bites was the most difficult change. If you are thinking about having surgery and know someone who already has a gastric band, ask them this question.
If you are preparing to undergo a weight loss surgery, please consider all the changes you will need to make to be successful with your weight loss and maintaining that weight loss. If you feel you may struggle with instituting those changes, you should seek the support of others who have done the same. If you are not willing to make those lifestyle changes, then weight loss surgery is not for you and will not be able to help you. Weight loss surgery is a tool, not a miracle cure. If you are interested in attending the Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas support groups, please call us for a schedule at 702-313-8446.
– Dr. Darren Soong
Tags: bariatric patient, Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas Support Groups, lap band, lap band surgery, las vegas, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, lifetsyles changes post weight loss surgery, Weight Loss Support Groups, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
I have lost 105 pounds since doing the gastric band. The hardest things for me was eating slower and since losing the weight body image is a problem for me. I weigh 125 pounds now but I still pick out larger sizes when shopping for clothes. Eventually my brain will catch up. It is fun to open my closet and not worry what will fit. Thanks
I am 33 months post surgery and had I been sitting in the room, I would have raised my hand to all three questions but with this caveat; it is hard to change any bad habit and while I have had success (I’ve lost 90 lbs. so far), I still struggle daily with all my issues involving food and exercise. I eat right most of the time, but still have issues with chocolate and carbs. I exercise but in spurts. I will workout every day for several months, then fall off the wagon and have to start all over mentally trying to talk myself into going to the gym. I eat slowly and take small bites all the time, but when I don’t, I throw up which serves as a constant reminder that I need to slow down and eat smaller bites. I still use baby utensils at home to aid me in keeping bites small and slowing down. There has been nothing about this journey I would call easy, but there was nothing about life as a 310 lb. woman that was easy either…My life, my happy healthy life is totally worth the struggle!
Thank you ladies, for sharing your thoughts! We’re so proud of your new healthy lives! Mary, I am glad to hear you are working on changing old habits and doing great at taking small bites. Gayle, Im thrilled to hear that you no longer have to worry about clothes fitting. I bet that makes shopping much more fun! Congrats to you both and keep up the good work!