Make Smart Choices Please

If you are overweight, obese or morbidly obese and you believe that you eat the same foods as your naturally slim friends, it is a relatively sure bet that you are mistaken. I know this is harsh but it’s the truth. Being ‘naturally’ slim is not just by design, it’s also by the preferences they have and choices they make that sometimes seem effortless to those of us who struggle with weight. Studies show that people who are slim don’t look for reasons to indulge and keep a similar schedule by consuming moderate or lower calorie foods day in and day out. The glaring reality is that obese people DO make poor choices – some of these foods are calorie dense, while others are naturally large and hard to eat in smaller portions. Some are BOTH high in calories and difficult to consume in daintier amounts. It’s no surprise that folks who eat these foods on a regular basis, pack on and maintain heavier body weights. The solution is awareness, portion control and simply choosing foods that taste as good that are not so high in calories. We have to first see it and then work to change it.

8 Foods that overweight people tend to choose every day: 1/ Fancy Coffee Drinks, 2/ Bagels, 3/ Cream Cheese, 4/ Salad Dressing, 5/ Processed Carbs, 6/ High Calorie Beverages, 7/ Chips and Crackers 8/ Chinese Foods   Old habits die hard but they are just habits. Tastes can be retrained but we first have to come to terms and accept that it IS within our control and we DID cause our own obesity. Bariatric surgery is just a tool to use to help us get out from under the burden of 100 pounds or more but after that it’s up to us. After the ‘Honeymoon Period’ where weight loss is automatic, we are driving the car and need to use the surgically created tool to stay on the highway. Know what you are eating and think as to whether or not that 500 calorie creamed spinach would make you that much happier than 70 calorie grilled asparagus. Which one would your naturally slim friend choose?

Bariatric Options:                                                       Medical Form

• Gastric Balloon                                                        
• Lap Band
• Mini Gastric Bypass
• Full Gastric Bypass
• Gastric Sleeve
• Gastric Plication Surgery
• Conversion or Revision Surgery
• Duodenal Switch Surgery

              Dr. Sergio Verboonen

Much success in your journey.

Respectfully,
International Patient Facilitators – Cancun and Tijuana, Mexico
On behalf of Dr. Sergio Verboonen
info@ipf-mail.com

1 800 210 5124 

Eating one or two large meals will not lead to a permanently stretched stomach or issues with your hunger and fullness triggers. However, doing this multiple times can lead to issues.

The list below hi-lights key points to reduce the risk of stretching your stomach after gastric surgery.

Tip 1. Limit Volume not Sweets.
Instead of totally limiting every aspect of your diet, give yourself a reward once a week with a special treat limited in size. But do not go out and eat a large meal – regardless of the type of food.

Tip 2. Do not drink when you eat
It’s better to drink your fluids an hour or two before eating and/or an hour or two after. This lets the fluids digest and they won’t increase the amount of gas that can build or limit the amount of space for nutrient dense foods. 

Tip 3. Meal Size
If you do have a bigger than normal meal, make your next meal small and make sure you don’t make larger meals a habit.

Tip 4. Do not get discouraged
If you fell off the wagon and binged one or two meals or even the entire previous week. The stomach and the mind is an amazingly resilient thing. Start over and start eating normal meals again.

So stretching your stomach after gastric sleeve surgery is not a myth. It can happen and it does happen – but the stomach will never revert to it’s original size pre.op. Be aware of it and prevent it. Remember how hard the surgery and recovery was? Remember what a big decision you made? Its never too late to change your habits and get back on the right track.

Bariatric Options:                                                       Medical Form

• Gastric Balloon                                                        
• Lap Band
• Mini Gastric Bypass
• Full Gastric Bypass
• Gastric Sleeve
• Gastric Plication Surgery
• Conversion or Revision Surgery
• Duodenal Switch Surgery

              Dr. Sergio Verboonen

Much success in your journey.

Respectfully,
International Patient Facilitators – Cancun and Tijuana, Mexico
On behalf of Dr. Sergio Verboonen
info@ipf-mail.com

1 800 210 5124 

Bariatric Clear Liquids 

You are home from the hospital and resting uncomfortably on the sofa. All the notes you took as a pre.op are written in Greek, and you  don’t remember what to do. What you may have heard from or about other patients may not be the same for you. To be successful in maintaining weight loss, you’ll have to commit to new eating habits. You’ll also want to follow any guidelines that your physician will provide Remember though that we have been there and have lived it.

In the first stage after surgery patients should drink clear liquids; defined as liquids that one can see through. Doctors require anywhere from a few days up to even one week of clear fluids after surgery to minimize need for digestion, and lessen production of solid waste; allowing your gastrointestinal system to heal. Liquids should be sipped slowly as gulping can cause pain.

Immediately after surgery you must drink enough fluids to keep hydrated. There are a small percentage of post ops who are re-hospitalized because of dehydration, so it is important to sip fluids constantly throughout the day.

Warm drinks such as herbal tea or broth are soothing and relax the stomach or pouch. Clear proteins can be blended with Crystal Light or broth and will help your body to heal.

Everything will taste too sweet – use more water or add crushed ice to dilute it to your taste.  Focus on your exciting new future, drink your liquids, and pull yourself through this initial period.

Your choices are purposely very limited – hang on and do not progress to the next stage until you are told to.

Bariatric Options:                                                       Medical Form

• Gastric Balloon                                                        
• Lap Band
• Mini Gastric Bypass
• Full Gastric Bypass
• Gastric Sleeve
• Gastric Plication Surgery
• Conversion or Revision Surgery
• Duodenal Switch Surgery

              Dr. Sergio Verboonen

Much success in your journey.

Respectfully,
International Patient Facilitators – Cancun and Tijuana, Mexico
On behalf of Dr. Sergio Verboonen
info@ipf-mail.com

1 800 210 5124