Lite & Smart DIMENSIONS™ Patient Blog

Typically, it is counterproductive for people trying to lose or maintain weight to think of foods as “good or bad”.

In small amounts, and on special occasions, most foods can have a place in a balanced diet.
It is alarming however, how many people bascially live on fast foods and consider french fries a vegetable! I was recently working with a patient who was keeping a food journal in preparation for lap band surgery. While I can applaud her honesty for admitting it, this patient ate fast food for almost every meal. Obviously anyone trying to lose or maintain weight will not do so eating high calorie, high fat meals!
Patients who succeed after bariatric surgery do so because they change their life style, especially when it comes to food choices. A treat of an In and Out Burger and fries, should be just that. A treat on a rare occasion!

” The biggest problem we face in America is not terrorism. The biggest health problem we are facing is obesity” Julie Gerbending, M.D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Obesity is considered an epidemic in this country. The consequences of obesity are staggering.

14% of all deaths can be attributed to the combination of diet and physical inactivity.
23% of all deaths from major chronic diseases can be attributed to sedentary lifestyle.

Bariatric surgery has a success rate of 60-80%. Diet and exercise alone has a success rate of 2% once you are morbidly obese. Please explore our website for more information about these lifesaving surgeries.

I had lapband surgery just on July 7th and have done amazing, however I am still tender and sore around the port area. Is this normal?

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always got” Anonymous

This adage basically sums up the truth about weight management after weight loss surgery. If you return to your old lifestyle, the excess weight you have lost will be regained. Lifestyle changes sometimes seem daunting to maintain. Make a conscious decision every morning when you wake up to make healthy food choices and a commitment to doing some sort of physical exercise today! Breaking down thinking about the changes you need to make to a managable amount of time( one day at a time)will make it easier, and not seem so overwhelming!

Lap band surgery has become more and more popular among the patient population desiring surgical weight loss. The band is does not require re-routing of the intestines, which appeals to many people.
Unfortunately patients who have lap band surgery will definitely lose weight slower than gastric bypass patients.
Another misconception that many band patients have is that they need an adjustment to lose weight. Each band holds a specified amount of fluid, and can only be adjusted to the maximum if patients can tolerate that amount of restriction. Patients often request fills, claiming no restriction, when they are very close to being maximally filled.
Patients whose bands are too tight do not lose weight because they live on liquids that are often high calorie or highly processed foods. ( also high in calories) Because filling the band is not an exact science, and is different for every patient, good communication between the patient and health care provider is a must. The band adjustment is only one aspect of what makes patients lose weight. Often more important than the number of band adjustments a patient has, are the other changes patients have made in their daily routines. Remember to lose weight and successfully keep it off, you have to avoid fast food, empty calories in foods and liquids and increase your activity level. By incorporating all the life style changes into your routine, as well as fills when really necessary, you are more likely to reach your weight loss goals

I had my surgery on 5/11, the first 6 weeks i lost on average 3-4 lbs per week, now i am only losing 1 or 2…is this normal? I weighed 231 and now am at 202, does the weight loss slow down??

Making the decision to pursue weight loss surgery is often very difficult. Many patients are afraid of the risks, or think they should be able to lose weight on their own. Once they make the decision to go forward with surgery, they must then decide what procedure is right for them.
Unfortunately, due to a barrage of irresponsible advertising, many people do not have realistic expectations about surgical weight loss. Many ads, billboards and radio spots depict surgical weight loss as risk free, quick and easy . This type of media coverage often misleads patients.
Bariatric surgery is major abdominal surgery. It should be performed in a facility that is is a Center of Excellence, by board certified surgeons with years of experience. There should be multiple opportunities for patients to get educated by the surgeons, office staff and dieticians about the procedures. A patient’s medical history, medical conditions, and BMI should be considered carefully when chosing a procedure. Lastly, the patient must thoroughly examine their own lifestyle and behavior and be committed to change.
We offer gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy at Lite and Smart Dimensions. Please call the office or register on line to find out more about these life changing surgeries.

Insurance companies are getting very strict about covering bariatric surgery for patients more than one time. In the past, if a patient failed a procedure or starting gaining their weight back, the surgeon would suggest revision surgery. Often this was adding a band over an existing gasttic bypass, or converting a band to a gastric bypass. However, it is becoming more and more prevalent for insurance companies to deny any revision unless there is a technical problem with the surgery.This makes it imperative for patients to make every effort to be successful. Sugical weight loss is a tool. Patients still need to make good food choices, attend and particpate in support group and exercise!

Weight loss is just one way to measure success after bariatric surgery. Setting short and long term goals is a great way to help keep you motivated and focused. Start small, with something you can attain fairly quickly. As you get further into your weight loss journey, you can add more challenging goals.
This can be something as basic as being able to sit on a ride at an amusement park, or as life altering as going back to school or looking for a new career. It’s all about feeling better and having more confidence.

Being physically active is one of the most important steps Americans of all ages can take to improve their health.

However, Americans are becoming increasingly inactive, which is taking a dangerous toll not only on our health, but in our healthcare costs.
Ponder these statistics-

Five percent of the population accounts for almost half(49%) of total health care expenses.

The 15 most expensive health conditions account for 44% of total health care expenses.

According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Diseases- 45% of the total U.S. population has at least one chronic disease.

The U.S Medical system spends almost twice as much treating preventable health conditions caused by obesity than it does on cancer, according to U.S. Health Secretary Kathllen Sebelius.

June is National Employee Wellness Month- Lets all make it a point to get off the couch! Thirty minutes a day can really make a difference!