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