Archive for the ‘Eating’ Category
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Halloween marks the first major event of the year’s holiday season. This Halloween let’s remember to be mindful of our holiday celebration customs in relation to our training. With the carnivals, office potlucks and trick-or-treating, comes candy. Many of you may be wondering if candy is totally off limits this year or will hinder your training. You may be thinking, “How can Halloween pass me by without one bite of a delicious chocolate treat?”
Remember, Halloween or not, candy is not off limits. You can have 1 oz. of candy 3 times per day with your meals, if you choose to. This holds true throughout the year, but we need to be more aware of our choices around the holidays. Often when we think of Halloween (or any holiday) as a once a year opportunity or as a special occasion, I find that it gives us permission to overdo it. Keep in mind, Halloween is not just about the candy. Instead of focusing on treats alone, get caught up in the fun of decorating your house or office, buying and carving pumpkins and eating pumpkin seeds (One serving of pumpkin seeds has 20 grams of protein). If you usually enjoy giving out candy at your desk, hand out plastic spider rings instead. Center your celebration around dressing up or creating a new costume. After all, dressing up in a goofy or scary costume really IS a once a year opportunity!
Now, you may wonder, “Do the simple sugars in candy hinder our trainings?” If you want to save your candy for our long run, you can use candy instead of using your gels, sports beans, etc. However, be mindful of whether or not this really allows you to enjoy the treat. “Simple sugar” means that the sugar breaks down faster into your blood stream. In regards to your body, simple sugars tend to make you feel tired, slow, sluggish – I think you get the point. For training you want to focus on complex carbohydrates, which I discussed last week, to stay alert and energized.
Remember we are walking/running 8 miles the day after Halloween - I know you guys want to feel your best! Enjoy your Halloween candy but don’t go over 1 oz at any meal you choose.
Happy Halloween and Happy Training,
Prudence
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Tags: bariatric patient, Bariatric Surgeons, candy and exercise, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, Half Marathon Training, Halloween, holiday season eating, holiday season exercise, lap band, lap band surgery, las vegas, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Marathon Training Tips, simple carbohydrates, simple sugars, team fitness, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute Events, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support, Weight Loss Surgery, lap band |
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
Now that our trainings are getting longer, I wanted to discuss the importance of fueling your body. Today let’s talk about the importance of carbohydrates. There are two types of carbohydrates, simple and complex. During training you want to increase your intake of complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates break down at a slower rate which means they provide a slow, steady form of energy which is best for long distance training. A few complex carbohydrate food choices are pasta, rice, beans, vegetables, legumes and potatoes. Beans and legumes are great choices for bariatric patients since they include both protein and complex carbohydrates.
Where does the energy come from?
The energy we utilize during long distance training primarily comes from glycogen, which comes from carbohydrates. The more glycogen storage you have during training, the better you will feel and perform. The more you train, the more efficiently your body will store carbohydrates as glycogen. This means having a consistent exercise program will condition your body to convert more consumed carbohydrates into glycogen vs. being stored as fat. Because carbohydrates break down into glycogen, the more carbohydrates you take in, the more available glycogen becomes. However, don’t let this be an excuse to overdo your carbohydrate intake. For many, exercise is used as an excuse for an excessive intake of carbohydrates and typically poor quality food choices as well. Remember to be mindful of excessive intake that can sabotage your efforts for performance.
As a bariatric patient you are taught to eat 4 oz. of food a meal and I usually recommended that 3 of those oz. are protein. During training you may want to alternate your percentage of carbohydrate intake. For example, after trainings your post meal may consist of 2 oz. of protein and 2 oz. of a complex carbohydrate or 3 oz. of carbohydrate and 1 oz. of protein. The key is to pay attention to your body and find out what works best for you. Choose a combination of proteins and complex carbohydrates that help you feel your best.
Remember, complex carbohydrates are needed as part of a balanced meal plan for optimal performance and feeling great!
See this resource for complex carbohydrate options:
http://www.the-master-runner.com/complex-carbohydrate-foods.html
Happy and Healthy Training,
Prudence
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Tags: Allergan lap band, bariatric patient, Bariatric Surgeons, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, eating with the lap band, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, glycogen, Half Marathon Training, lap band surgery, las vegas, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Marathon Training Tips, protein, simple carbohydrates, team fitness, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute Events, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support, Weight Loss Surgery, lap band |
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
Congratulations team! You have completed two weeks of training and did four or more miles at your last long walk!
I want to thank everyone for coming out to the group trainings on Thursdays or Sundays. Your dedication is awesome! You are all off to a strong start.
We are on week three of training and will be doing five miles this week for our long run. Looking forward to seeing you there. On individual training days this week, possibly try new trails or tracks for your three, 60 minute walks and a new activity for your cross training day. Whatever you do, have fun with each session and don’t forget your two days of rest!
As the miles continue to grow, also remember to stay focused on the prize and keep yourself motivated. Log your struggles, trial and error methods and of course your successes. Collect bits of encouragement, such as a friend’s inspirational words or other quotes. Look back on these entries for extra motivation in the coming months.
“Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.” ~Author Unknown
Remember, it is just one step at a time! How are you guys staying motivated and continuing to commit? Please share your strategies!
Happy Healthy Running,
Prudence
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Tags: Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, Half Marathon Training, lap band, lap band surgery, las vegas, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Marathon Training Tips, Rock n' Roll Marathon, Weight Loss Surgeons
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute Events, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support, Weight Loss Surgery |
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
One topic brought up in the last support group was that some patients noticed that their restriction was tighter in the morning than later in the day and at night. For some the change is dramatic enough that they have trouble with solids in the morning and have to eat soft foods like yogurt, but seem to have too little restriction at night. Some patients don’t notice this difference at all, but for those that do, it can make finding the “perfect” adjustment more difficult.
We believe that the morning tightness is from increased blood flow to the stomach and intestines during sleep which increases the stomach wall thickness temporarily. Remember, any swelling can lead to increased restriction. So, if you are experiencing this, be sure to discuss it with our physician’s assistants, Brian or Melissa, during your adjustment visits. Also, patients considering the band procedure are welcome to attend support groups to meet other patients and learn more about living with the band. For more information on our support groups, please call 702-384-8446.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Adjustment, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, lap band adjustment, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Single Incision Gastric Band, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Adjustment, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support, Weight Loss Surgery, lap band |
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
If you haven’t been to one of the gastric band support groups lately I can tell you that the patients that have been attending regularly have been extremely positive and helpful. The support they show each other and new group attendees is quite impressive. The “hot topic” last night was using Chia seeds for health and appetite control. Patient Becky even brought sample Chia seed gel shots. Prudence, our nutritionist/bariatric coach, likes the health benefits of Chia seeds as they are high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Also, the patients find that it can help curb hunger between meals and adjustments with very few calories.
At the latest support group, there was one person who had not yet had her surgery and she was able to get great input from experienced band patients firsthand. The next band support group meeting is August 25, 2009 starting at 6pm and ending at 7:30 pm. Meetings are free for all Gastric Band Institute and Surgical Weight Control Center patients and potential patients. Hope to see you there.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Adjustment, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, lap band surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute Events, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support, lap band |
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
After surgery, most patients start off weighing their food with a food scale every meal and being very successful with their weight loss. When patients plateau or stop losing weight, it almost always corresponds to when they stop using the scale and “guesstimating” or eyeballing their meal portions.
In order for your brain to keep your body from being hungry, it will portion out enough food to keep your weight stable, or keep you from losing weight. The food scale makes sure that your portions are small enough that your body can lose weight. Also, that’s the most accurate way gastric band patients can know if they need a band adjustment. When the same size meal that used to fill them up, no longer does, an adjustment is needed. If you are eating different size meals you won’t know for sure when it’s time for an adjustment. Also, because the band is a mechanical device, it doesn’t change or adapt until we change it. It is very hard to adjust the band properly if the patient is eating inconsistent amounts. Sometimes the band may feel too tight and sometimes not tight enough if you are eyeballing the portion size and eating inconsistent amounts.
Almost everyone who stops losing weight after surgery will admit that they stopped using their food scale to weigh their 4oz meals. Please remember, the time to stop using the food scale is when you reach your goal weight.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Adjustment, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, lap band adjustment, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Adjustment, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support, Weight Loss Surgery, lap band |
Friday, June 19th, 2009
A recent article in the NY Times reported a study citing that the incidence of kidney stones was twice as high in the obese population who had had gastric bypass than in the obese population who had not had weight loss surgery. Although not common, the incidence was about 8% after bypass compared to about 4%.
We have seen a few cases of kidney stones in our patients occur after gastric bypass, gastric band and gastric sleeve. Part of the increase incidence I believe is due to the fact that our post-op patients cannot drink water as fast or, “chug” it down, which may in part limit their fluid intake and be partly responsible for increased kidney stones. However, for many regular health reasons, we strongly encourage all our patients in the pre-op teaching classes to increase their water intake after surgery. If you have any questions about kidney stones that develop after weight loss surgery, please feel free to post them here.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, lap band adjustment, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support, Weight Loss Surgery, lap band |
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
“Clean your plate!” We all grew up hearing it, and I think this phrase is largely responsible for our growing obesity problem. We should be teaching our children to eat until they are no longer hungry, then stop. If the alpha wolf or king lion ate until all the food was gone, the pups and cubs would starve. But as humans we have conquered our environment so these laws of nature no longer apply and we now clean our plates so all the food is gone.
Part of the lifestyle change required for our patients to be successful is to eliminate those thoughts we learned during our upbringing that make us feel guilty or wasteful if we leave any food on our plates. By limiting food intake, patients that have undergone weight loss surgery realize that it is OK to leave food on their plate. Here at the Gastric Band Institute, our psychotherapist, Rachel, and our dietitian, Prudence, can also help with their Mindful Eating classes. For more information on when these classes are taught, please call 702-384-8446.
Please share here the infamous lines and techniques your parents used to coax you to eat. I bet this sounds familiar: “Just three more bites!”
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, lap band, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support, lap band |
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
Because the Gastric Band Institute has overseen the surgical weight loss of several thousand patients to date, I’ve been able to observe unique patterns common to very successful patients as well as those patterns common to less successful patients. This information may be helpful to potential patients trying to decide if a surgical weight loss procedure is right for them.
Patients struggling with their weight loss tend to look at their gastric band as something which should physically stop them from eating that one extra bite. They tend to “challenge” their operation, sometimes almost to prove that they can eat past their latest adjustment. As a result, they get food stuck more frequently and tend to have their bands tighter and have more problems with reflux.
The successful patients tend to look at their band as a tool which helps them stop themselves from eating more than is necessary to satisfy their hunger. They stop well before the last bite, they have more “eating margin” as described in a previous blog, have less reflux and don’t need to have their bands adjusted as tight. If you have questions about how to utilize the band for weight loss properly, please leave me a comment and I will reply, or contact Brian or Melissa, our physician assistants, at 702-384-8446. Also, if you have any advice or testimonials of how eating with the band correctly has made your weight loss successful, please tell us about it.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, lap band, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, lap band |
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