Maintaining Weight Loss After Surgery

After you’ve successfully lost weight, your journey will continue as you maintain your progress. There are many ways to do this throughout the day, including the way you eat, exercise and socialize. Here are a few tips to get you started.

 

Seven Tips for Keeping the Weight Off

1. Eat slowly and stop eating when full. It isn’t always easy to stop eating, especially when you’re in front of a delicious meal. But you’ll be happy you stopped early. Make it a habit to only separate the amount of food that you need for that meal on your plate, so that you don’t keep going.
2. Manage portions. Breaking up the amount of food you eat throughout the day can save a lot of calories. Measuring out your meals in separate containers can help make sure you don’t overeat.
3. Drink plenty of water. It not only helps keep you hydrated and energized, it is a natural way to help control your appetite throughout the day.
4. Don’t eat empty calories. Plan snacks in advance so that you always have healthy options for getting what your body needs. Make a plan for how you will handle unhealthy snack situations, such as birthday celebrations at work or holiday parties.
5. Set goals. Once you have your desired healthy weight in mind, set a goal to meet it within a realistic timeframe.
6. Stay on top of progress. If you find yourself regaining weight, find the support you need to get back on track.
7. Stay physically active. Join a gym or regularly scheduled workout class to stay consistently active, and encourage healthy habits among family and friends by inviting them to join.

Don’t be afraid to lean on others for support, and ask your doctor for other ways to maintain weight loss that works best for you.
Weight loss surgery is generally designed for those with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40, or equal to or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with the Lap Band® is also FDA-approved for weight loss surgery in people with a BMI of 30 to 35 who have at least one obesity-related condition. Weight loss surgery is considered safe, but like many types of surgery, it does have risks. Consult with your physician about the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery.

Source:
National Institutes of Health