Habits For Success

Bariatric surgery is a fantastic tool to help you achieve long-term weight loss goals. Individual weight loss and rate of weight loss will vary due to many factors. How do you measure success? There are probably just as many definitions of success as there are people that have had bariatric surgery. For one, it may be the decrease in medications for diabetes and heart disease. For another, it may be the ability to ride on the Ferris wheel with a child; and to yet another, being “normal” is the measure of success. During follow-up visits, we look to see if you are losing weight at the expected rate. Ask the medical assistant to show you the method we use so that you can follow your rate of weight loss, too.

You may measure your weight loss in several ways. The most common is to weigh yourself regularly. During plateaus this method alone can be a great source of frustration, so add at least one more method to help you see the wonderful changes that are happening to your body. Here are some suggestions:

• Take measurements of your chest, hips, thighs and arms on a monthly basis.
• Chart your exercise habits.
• Take photographs at regular intervals.
• Document decreases in medication.
• Make a list of all the things (such as tying your shoes) that are getting easier to do.
• Try on a piece of clothing that was tight at your heaviest weight – it is very rewarding to see how large the clothing becomes.

Now that we’ve looked at what success is, let’s look at some of the ways that you can use the bariatric surgery as a tool to reach your weight loss goals. Implementing lifelong habits will help you not only to reach your weight loss goals, but to maintain that weight loss.

Personal Responsibility
The outlook of many individuals who have been successful is that the surgery is a tool to help them reach and maintain a healthy weight and that their behavior has a direct impact on their weight. Do not expect success to simply happen. Be willing to make the needed changes in your lifestyle to support a lower, healthier weight. Follow the advice of the Barix Clinics program health professionals regarding your care. Take personal responsibility, have a positive attitude, and seek out healthful alternatives to old lifestyle choices.

Food and Beverage Choices
Three well-balanced meals with healthy snacks in between will establish an eating pattern for success. Eating six small, healthy meals keeps your blood sugar level stable. This keeps energy up, your appetite in check, portion sizes down, and helps you make better food choices. Avoid added sugars. These foods and beverages are often low in nutrients, add unnecessary calories and may cause you to eat more. Grazing, skipping meals, drinking high calorie beverages (water is usually the healthiest fluid) and eating large portions of high fat foods are NOT habits for success.

Exercise
Regular exercise is a habit that leads to success. If exercise is started during the first weeks after surgery, it can minimize muscle tissue loss and be a tremendous aid in weight loss. Exercise as a part of the daily routine is a key factor in the ability to maintain weight loss.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Health and vitality, along with lower weight, is truly success. Continue to take multi-vitamin and mineral supplements as recommended by your Barix Clinics program professional.

Medical Follow-Up
Follow through with medical care to help insure that you have a healthful weight loss.

• Keep scheduled follow-up appointments with your Barix surgeon and nutritionist.
• Have lab work done as recommended.
• Have your family physician follow other medical conditions.

These are the habits that will lead to success. Your attitude and commitment toward implementing these lifelong habits will open up the opportunity for a lifetime of improved health, lower weight and greater quality of life.