One of the most important aspects of changing your mindset is keeping yourself motivated to reach your goal. Don’t get frustrated if you are lacking inspiration at the moment, here are some fun tips and tricks you can apply throughout your journey.

First, it’s important to focus not only on scale-victories but on your many other achievements as well. Notice that you might have an easier time working out, or that your clothes no longer feel as tight, you will also find yourself making better food choices and getting rid of bad habits. Highlighting these changes is always important so you do not get discouraged when you, for example, hit the plateau. Your body will always be changing for the better if you keep up with your healthy routine.

Another thing you can try is keeping a journal. This can be an outlet for your feelings even before undergoing your surgery. Being emotional is completely normal before, during, and after surgery and we believe that letting said emotions out, even on the pages of a diary, will help lift a weight off your shoulders. It can also be a great way to realize later in your journey how those fears, insecurities, and doubts are long gone and your logs have become more positive and optimistic.

Something similar you might enjoy is sharing your weightloss journey online. Whether its a text-only blog detailing your experience or a photo-diary on a platform such as instagram, you will find that 1) people going through the same experience can find help in knowing they’re not alone, 2) you might inspire someone to begin their own weight loss journey, or 3) later on, you might want to look back at your earlier posts and realize how much you have changed physically and mentally. Don’t hold back from following other bariatric patients on their journeys. Everyone’s experience is different but you are all working towards a common goal. Remember, community and support is key!

You can also use one of the many bariatric apps to keep yourself on track. Seeing how you’ve progressed since you started losing weight and how your food choices keep getting better and better will help keep you on the healthy path.

Let them know that they’re not alone in this journey and, like us, you’re there every step of the way. 

Last but most importantly, strong relationships. Together is better, so ask friends and family to join you in your activities, let them hold you accountable for your workouts and diet. You’re not alone in this journey. This is why we always circle back to our private Facebook Patient Support Group, mostly because having a large group of people rooting for each other’s success is a great source of encouragement and motivation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share your experiences, and be completely honest how you’re feeling because it’s likely that more than one person has gone through the same thing and is more than happy to give you some advice. Plus, our team and Dr. Ismael are constantly checking the group’s feed, answering questions, and providing words of encouragement. 

If you’re feeling discouraged or frustrated because of lack of motivation, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are always here to listen and help in any way we can. You can also talk to us through our social media:

Facebook Diabetes Obesity Clinic 

Instagram @diabetesobesityclinic

Youtube Channel Diabetes Obesity Clinic 

Dr. Ismael Bailon

Dr. Ismael Bailon Facebook

Obesity is a term that means you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Overweight and obesity may increase the risk of many health problems. Here you’ll find out more information.

Sleep Apnea:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that obesity is the most important risk factor for sleep apnea. A person who is overweight may have more fat stored around his or her neck. This may make the airway smaller. A smaller airway can make breathing difficult or loud (because of snoring), or breathing may stop altogether for short periods of time.

Type 2 Diabetes

More than 87% of adults with diabetes are overweight or obese. It isn’t clear why people who are overweight are more likely to develop this disease. It may be that being overweight causes cells to change, making them resistant to the hormone insulin. Insulin carries sugar from blood to the cells, where it is used for energy.

 

Cancer:

Gaining weight as an adult increases the risk for several cancers, even if the weight gain doesn’t result in overweight or obesity. It isn’t known exactly how being overweight increases the risk of cancer. Fat cells may release hormones that affect cell growth, leading to cancer. Also, eating or physical activity habits that may lead to being overweight may also contribute to cancer risk.

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

The frequency of being overweight in children and teenagers has increased dramatically in recent years. Nearly one-third of youths are either overweight or obese. Sweetened drinks, fast food, snack foods, a lack of physical activity all contribute to the problem. Here are some benefits you can get from bariatric surgery.

Better Health

Some medical problems in obese teens that may improve after bariatric surgery are:

• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Heart disease
• Fatty liver disease
• Heartburn and GERD
• High blood pressure
• Asthma

Quality of life

It’s well known that losing weight can improve your lifestyle completely giving teens the chance to live a better life. The goal of bariatric surgery is to provide the highest possible benefits with the lowest risk. After having surgery, adolescents can get involved in physical activities, such as sports, and can easily develop new healthy habits.

When you are on a new path for a healthier lifestyle there are some simple steps that can make a difference.
By eating slow, you digest food better, so it will be easier to lose or maintain your weight, your body will be better hydrate, and you’ll have greater satisfaction with your meals. On the other hand, eating quickly leads to poor digestion, lower satisfaction, and increased weight gain. That’s why the message is clear: Slow down your eating, enjoy your food and improve health and well-being.

Eating slowly makes you digest better. Yet you also feel more satisfied with each meal and you lose or maintain weight more easily.
Think of every time you are on a rush over a meal and barely sit down. In this sense, meals are a stressing time for busy people making them eventually eat more. Finishing your meal before your natural satiety kicks in, and suddenly ending up makes people feel uncomfortable and overstuffed.

Why eat slowly?
When you eat slowly, taste food, feel the texture of the food, savor a meal, and appreciate each bite you leave the table feeling good not only in our body but in the whole eating experience even if all you eat was a snack.

Some helpful tips
Sit down to eat in a calm environment with minimal distractions. Don’t eat while driving, watching TV, texting, etc. Pay attention to your food not only in flavors but in quantity.
Choose high-fiber foods that take more time to chew, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Put down your utensils between bites. Take a moment. Breathe. If you’re eating with other people, enjoy the conversation for a few minutes.
Try setting a minimum number of chews per bite. This will feel strange at first, but give it a try and see what you discover.
Use smaller plates. This obviously reduces the intake of food each meal.

Distracted eating happens when while eating your mind is elsewhere but on the meal that is in front of you. This is the opposite of mindful eating when we enjoy our meal and make healthy-smart choices.
Distracted eating happens not only to grown-ups but many times kids as well, worst of all, sometimes the entire family. People get distracted by the TV, a mobile device, or a video game.

If you are concerned about your weight the answer is simple; pay attention to what you eat and avoid multitasking. Take your time to enjoy your meal, savor the food, enjoy the texture, make a family habit of sitting down at the dinner table without any gadget and have quality time.

Unplug yourself
Being distracted or not paying attention to a meal might tend to people eat more at that meal whereas paying attention to a meal was linked to eating less later on.
These results make good sense. Hunger is not the only thing that influences how much we eat during the day. Attention and memory also play roles. For instance, after you start eating, it takes an average of 20 minutes for the brain begins to start sending the message of fulfillment of not being hungry anymore and turn off appetite. If you are busy or in hurrying not paying attention you could easily take in many more calories than you need in 20 minutes.

Mindful eating is a broader approach to living a healthier lifestyle called mindfulness. This includes being fully aware of what is happening within and around you at the moment of the day. You can practice mindfulness during any daily activity even eating.
Regarding eating, mindfulness includes noticing the colors, flavors, smells, and textures of your food. It also means getting rid of distractions like television or reading or working on your computer. Keep it simple and avoid multitasking and only eat.

Eat one meal a day or week in a slower, more attentive manner. Here you have some tips that may help you get on your way:
• Make sure to follow your eating plan on time, measure your portions, never skip a meal and be disciplined.
• Try eating with your non-dominant hand; if you’re a righty, hold your fork in your left hand when lifting food to your mouth.
• Take small bites and chew well.
• Try chopsticks if you don’t normally use them.
• Be quiet for five minutes, thinking about what it took to produce that meal, all the way from the farm to your table.
• Before you eat anything ask yourself, “Am I really hungry?” Do something else, like reading or going on a short walk.

Remember that bariatric surgery it’s only the first step into a healthier lifestyle, weight loss shouldn’t be your main goal your health should, so make sure to always remember that when you eat. Your food choices are up to you, every meal is an opportunity to nurture your body so choose wisely.

The preoperative diet marks the beginning of the journey towards a different lifestyle. According to the remaining time for the surgery date it can be done in two stages.

The first one includes most of the foods where the intention is to start creating new eating habits with established schedules, knowing the food groups and starting to measure portions of each meal with the intention of promoting a slight weight loss.
The second (in most cases only begins with this diet before surgery) the liquid diet, where days before surgery (between 3 and 5 depending on each patient) solid foods are eliminated with the intention of preparing the digestive system for the day of surgery.

Why should I go on a liquid diet before surgery and what is it for?
Carrying out the pre-surgery diet aims to improve surgical results. Excess weight, particularly the fat located in the liver, increases the surgical risk during abdominal laparoscopic surgery. This reduces surgical risks and facilitates the performance of the laparoscopic procedure.

Is there any health risk from the preoperative diet?

There is no risk, since the diet was designed to slightly improve weight loss and fat in the liver. According to each patient, some vitamins, minerals or protein supplements may be added during this stage.

When you’re struggling with more than just a few unwanted extra pounds you are in need of help. However, if you need to lose forty, a hundred or even more pounds, and have a history of failed weight loss programs or if you have become a diet expert and have tried several diet plans in uncountable occasions.

You know what a diet is like and have been able to lose ten, twenty, or more pounds, over and over again. But before you knew it, you gained all it back plus a few extra pounds. It could be that those extra pounds have gotten in the way of you becoming the healthy, active, and confident person you’ve wanted to be for so long.

If you could eat less, feel full, and lose weight you would be on your way to be a new better person. Well, that’s exactly what bariatric surgery could do and the reason why it helps people lose weight. With obesity and its associated health complications rising at an alarming rate in America, bariatric surgery certainly represents a powerful tool for providing sustained relief for overweight people.
Bariatric surgery enhances weight loss in overweight and obese people who have not achieved long-term success with other previous attempts and it even offers people significant and sustained weight loss. Bariatric surgery reduces the stomach’s storage capacity, which limits food intake and helps you feel full much sooner than normal.

If you are considering bariatric surgery to help you reach once and for all the weight fits you need. However, there’s more than one type of surgery. The options include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, among others. Your physician can help you determine if you’re a candidate and, if so, which option works best for you.

If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more, this means you’re most likely to lose over several pounds. Without making any changes, you could develop serious health issues because of the weight excess. Most people with a BMI of 40 or more are candidates for surgery.

Dietary changes after bariatric surgery

Most people who needs to lose 80 or more pounds have tried multiple times to lose weight on their own. While they may have some success at first, only a small percent of people keep the weight off for five years or more. They usually gain the weight back in less than a year. Losing and gaining weight back could increase health problems associated with obesity. To consider the loss a success you must keep the weight off for a minimum of five years and the result can be a happier, healthier you.

With their smaller stomachs, people who have had the surgery need to eat very slowly and take small bites. One of the hardest adjustments for patients is that they cannot drink liquids while eating. Patients should drink their fluids at least 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after eating, but it doesn’t take long for most people to adjust.
Those who have had the surgery also take vitamins and supplements recommended by a nutritionist who helps patients after their procedure.

Sustained weight loss through bariatric surgery includes not only prevention and management of Chronic Degenerative Diseases related to overweight, but it also includes:
Long-term remission for type 2 diabetes
Improved cardiovascular health
Joint pain relief
Depression relief
Arthrosis
Anxiety
Eliminate obstructive sleep apnea
Alleviate other medical conditions
Improve fertility

Bariatric surgery is very safe and, when performed by a knowledgeable and experienced team, it comes with no more risk than a knee or gallbladder surgery. The procedure is done by laparoscopy in a couple of hours, and in a few days of recovery you can go back to a regular active life.
Candidates have better chances of success when an experienced medical team supports them.

Surgeons, bariatric medical physicians, nurses, psychologists, and nutritionists can all work together to sustain the patient’s healthy habits.
And most important, to successfully return the full enjoyment of life to patients they’ll have to be willing to make lifelong changes in food intake and lifestyle.