Support

Chia Seeds Can Be A Helpful Supplement After Weight Loss Surgery

July 11, 2012

When most people think of chia seeds they think of the green sprouts that provide the “hair” to kitschy pottery resembling the heads of state and cartoon characters (you are probably singing the jingle right now, too). Little did we know in the late seventies that these same seeds that you soaked, as a kid, to grow a green fleece on your clay sheep was also so nutritious. Maintaining a healthy diet after bariatric surgery is very important. Patients are encouraged to consume a target of 75 grams of protein daily and to ensure proper hydration, adequate amounts of fiber and take daily multivitamin and calcium supplements. This is easier said than done. This is mainly due to the small “pouch” size of Gastric Bypass, reduced stomach capacity of the Sleeve Gastrectomy and the adjustment of the Lap Band System. Chia seeds are a helpful supplement that can add protein, fiber and a lot of nutrition. They are not, however, a replacement for your daily multivitamins and calcium supplements. The humble chia seed is a great supplement for bariatric patients... Read More

Stay motivated and excited about lifestyle change after bariatric surgery with Griffin Hospital’s OnTrack Workshop

June 11, 2012

One of the most difficult things to do when losing weight is staying motivated and excited about this new lifestyle change. Although long term bariatric surgery has been proven to be more effective than exercise and diet alone, staying on the right track can still be a challenge. Life gets in the way. We all have the best intentions, but we also have a very hard time putting ourselves first. Many bariatric patients have learned that if you do not put yourself first, then you can’t take care of others either. Obesity is a chronic disease and although bariatric surgery is a very good treatment, it is by no means a cure. Thus, regular exercise, a healthy diet and finding ways to manage stress and getting a good night’s sleep are integral parts of managing your health long term. Therefore, taking care of you is the best selfish thing to do! This month, at our monthly OnTrack Workshop, we will be holding a special event designed to get you feeling good about yourself and motivated to keep going on your... Read More

How to get off the weight loss plateau after weight loss surgery

May 16, 2012

Plateaus happen to most people who try to lose weight. It also happens to patients who have had bariatric surgery. The first thing to understand is that patients who had the Lap-Band Procedure will lose an average of 2 pounds a week over three years. Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy patients lose the excess weight more quickly, following a predictable pattern: the most rapid weight loss occurs in the first 6 months (the honeymoon period), then weight loss slows a bit, but is still significant, until the first year post op. By 18 months, the weight naturally stabilizes. Understanding the weight loss pattern is important to success with bariatric surgery. It is easy to get wrapped up in the thinking that you do not need to exercise when the weight just seems to melt off at first. But once the honeymoon period is over, most patients (regardless which bariatric procedure they had) will hit a plateau. Besides panicking and screaming in despair, is there anything you can do? 1. First of all, make sure you have all the facts. We... Read More

Improve your bariatric surgery outcomes – get some sleep

May 4, 2012

Bariatric surgery, be it the Lap-Band system, the Gastric Bypass or the Sleeve Gastrectomy, is a very effective tool for weight loss for patients who are suffering from morbid obesity. However, to make this tool effective, significant lifestyle changes have to occur after weight loss surgery. Patients participate in our Bariatric Exercise Program, attend On Track Workshops and Support Groups, meet with our dietitians and learn to cook tasty and healthy recipes during our cooking demonstrations. At Griffin Bariatrics, we like to offer our patients all the tools to achieve the best results with bariatric surgery now and for years to come. However, there is something that most of us undervalue: plenty of restful sleep. Why is sleep important for weight loss? Irregular sleep patterns (stemming from sleep apnea or shift change) affects hormone regulation. Hormones help us feel full or hungry and when sleep patterns change frequently, normal cues for eating can be altered. The brain needs glucose to operate. When tired, we tend to crave sugar, needing the quick boost of energy. Studies suggest that shorter sleep provides... Read More

Body Image: The struggle after bariatric surgery

April 19, 2012

People of all sizes can struggle with body image. It does not help that we are constantly bombarded with images of what we are supposed to look like. If you are obese, then you are probably familiar with the hurtful looks and comments some people can make. A positive body image is developed early in childhood and its fragility cannot be overstated. One of the many questions we hear when patients are considering bariatric surgery is about excess skin. For some patients, the thought of excess skin after significant weight loss can be overwhelming. The amount of excess skin that can be expected after bariatric surgery varies greatly and is related to how much weight is lost, the body fat distribution, genetics and age. How fast you lose the weight does not impact how much excess skin you will have. Although very effective, the surgical removal of excess skin (reconstructive surgery) is rarely covered by health insurance. The probability increases somewhat when the patient is diligent about having multiple health care providers document how the excess skin affects the patient’s... Read More

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