At Goal
Keeping The Weight Off
by Terry Simpson, MD, FACS
At the end of the year, we want to look through and apply the simple principles to get you to your goal and keep you there. Learning proper portion size is essential. After an operation it is easy to adhere to portion size, because there is no appetite, and if you overeat you are reminded all too well. Later on you find that you can eat a lot. The ability to eat a lot happens with all operations- from the lap-band, to the sleeve, to the RNY, to the DS. Do not become dependent upon your operation to determine the portion size. Remeasure things at least once a week so you will not be tempted to overeat.
Support is key. Great support groups are a wonderful way to meet people who know exactly what you are going through. Often friends and family don’t know or don’t understand – but you will find help in support groups. There are a lot of online support groups. But be careful, as some have a lot of misinformation in them. Having a significant other and family support is helpful.
Learn about nutrition. Simple stuff, like learning that nuts and peanut butter are fats, not proteins. That salad dressing is worse than ice cream. That the closer you get to the food being in its natural state, the better it will be for you.
Exercise. There are 30 minutes a day that you can do something besides television or the internet. Start a walking program, or a swimming program. Find a friend who will do this with you. If you have had surgery recently, check with your doctor’s office. Get started. Get up. Get moving! You will feel better, and have less skin sagging as a result of it.
Plan your meals. Whether you cook, pick up from the local grocery store, or eat out, it is always best to plan your meals. That way you can make the decision ahead of time about what to eat and how to limit the portion size. Planning your meals means planning for success. Waiting until the last minute never works.
Those are some of our favorite weight loss tips from those patients who have lost their weight and kept it off.
Terry Simpson, MD, FACS is a weight loss surgeon in Phoenix and has authored several books. For more information visit www.drsimpson.net.
Click here for the PDF version of this article from its appearance in OH Magazine
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