ninerules

(FROM MORRISTOWN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL)

Do You See Yourself in These Statements?

"I have had gastric bypass surgery, I can never gain my weight back."
"I have a lap-band in place, therefore I don’t need to diet anymore."

WRONG.

This is not magic. It’s a tool for weight loss. 10-15% of gastric bypass patients will regain all, if not more of their weight back. Next time you’re at a support group meeting, imagine that 15 people out of every 100 will be regaining their weight back. 50% of band patients will regain all of the initial weight loss, if they fail to follow an eating and behavior plan.

FOLLOW THESE 9 SIMPLE BUT CRITICAL RULES TO ENSURE YOUR SUCCESS

1. EAT THREE SMALL MEALS PER DAY.
     Supplement between meal cravings with a protein shake.

2. EAT ONLY GOOD SOLID FOOD.
       Healthy foods will fill you up faster than junk food.

3. EAT SLOWLY, SENSE FULLNESS AND THEN STOP.
       Remember this is a tool. Let it work for you.

4. THERE MUST BE NO EATING BETWEEN MEALS.
        Grazing behavior can add over 1000 calories a day to your intake.

5. TAKE NO LIQUIDS WITH THE MEAL.
         Liquids will empty solids from your pouch quickly and you will
         feel hungry sooner. It may also induce vomiting.

6. ALL LIQUIDS MUST BE ZERO CALORIES (except protein supplements).
      Liquids pass right through the small stomach and do not produce a
      feeling of fullness. It is easy to consume several hundred to a thousand
      calories a day by drinking alcohol, fruit juice or other non-diet beverages.

7. EXERCISE FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES EVERY DAY.
       Regular physical activity will keep your weight loss going, reduce
       stress and help you feel better all around.

8. CONSUME YOUR PROTEIN.
        We encourage you to get at least 80 grams of protein a day. Some specialists
        in nutrition suggest you get a minimum of 100 grams of protein per day.
        Taking in adequate amounts of protein will aid in preventing fluid retention,
        muscle loss and will definitely slow down hunger pangs. Patients who
        consume adequate amounts of protein for their body size will enjoy a much
        greater weight loss.

9. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.
        This may by taken in the form of any non-calorie, non-carbonated, non-caffeine
        beverages. Try Crystal Light, Snapple diet drinks or decaffeinated coffee or tea.