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» Health-&-Fitness » Reading: "reaching your weight loss goal with the lap-band"
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| reaching your weight loss goal with the lap-band |
By:
S.B. Pathak |
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For those who have had Lap-Band® surgery, it may seem that the hard part is over. Once that pain of surgery fades and one enters the recovery period, the prospect of achieving one’s weight loss goals seems certain. Some patients reason that with their new, smaller stomach will come automatic weight loss, without the need for any additional effort.
Nothing, of course, could be further from the truth.
Weight loss surgery or not, Lap-Band or not, recovering from obesity is difficult. Surgery is a tool used to stop the disease in its tracks – but to “kill” the monster of obesity once and for all requires that the patient have the will to press the battle on to victory, to complete the job that surgery started.
But how? Behavior modification is the key, notes Dr. William Lee, a bariatric surgeon who performs Lap-Band surgery in Minnesota. “Surgery alone will not cure obesity – only a complete change in diet, lifestyle, and activity can cure the disease permanently,” he says.
Health care professionals in the bariatric field have developed a variety of guidelines to help their patients effect this change. Among these, four of the most commonly-prescribed guidelines are:
• Goal setting: Every journey begins with a destination; a traveler will never get anywhere until he or she decides where to go. Patients who are setting off on the journey from obesity to good health must decide on where exactly it is that they wish to go. This process may be referred to as goal setting. The attainment of one’s healthy weight is, of course, the primary goal of every weight loss surgery patient; however, the mere number on a scale is a poor motivator. When advising his patients seeking Lap-Band surgery in Minnesota, Dr. Lee suggests they imagine better, more concrete goals: the ability to walk around the neighborhood, to run again, to ride a bicycle or drive a car, or even something as lofty as running a marathon – these are all worthy destinations for the weight loss traveler to consider. “By setting achievable goals, the post-op weight loss surgery patient literally sets a course for the rest of his or her life,” says Dr. Lee.
• Confidence: Setting goals is useless if the traveler does not truly believe in his or her ability to reach those goals. Self confidence is vital to success in recovering from obesity. The building of confidence is, of course, the primary task of the bariatric surgeon’s post-surgical support program: by carefully building the patients belief in him- or herself, and in his or her ability to achieve goals, the support group makes possible the patient’s later successes. This building of self confidence can be accomplished by many means, such as support groups, one on one counseling, psychiatric care as appropriate, and spiritual care. Weight loss surgery patients who participate fully in their doctor’s post-operative support programs stand an excellent chance of building or regaining the confidence they need to tackle the challenges of recovery.
• Fortitude: Another word for “inner strength”, fortitude is the raw force of will that lies behind every accomplishment in life. Without the will to succeed, the patient won’t succeed – which is why developing willpower is so critical to recovering from obesity. The will to resist temptation – to eat too much, or eat the wrong foods, or eat too much food, or just give up – can and must be developed in each recovering patient. Here, the support of friends, loved ones, and peers becomes crucial. By accepting the encouragement, persuasion, or even the occasional well-intentioned confrontation from those backing them in their struggle, weight loss surgery patients can build the inner strength needed to conquer their weaknesses.
• Perseverance: “The journey of one thousand miles begins with but a single step.” This proverb may be cliché, but it is nonetheless true. The path to full recovery from weight loss surgery is made up of many small steps, and it is only the patient’s willingness to take those steps that will lead to the attainment of the goal. Lofty thoughts of heroic sacrifice and bold denials of self are less useful over the long haul than the simple perseverance of doing some small action to further one’s recovery each day. By taking a small daily step towards the destination, weight loss surgery patients can cover great distances – and do much to build character besides.
By following these simple guidelines, those recovering from obesity can do much to reach their weight loss goals in a timely and healthy manner. As always, however, these guidelines are no substitute for the counsel of one’s own board-certified surgeon, and every weight loss surgery patient should consult with him or her before making any decisions regarding their recovery.
Dr. William Lee performs Lap-Band surgery in Minnesota and is committed to the long-term health and well-being of his patients. His Minnesota surgery practice is located in Blue Earth.Dr. William Lee performs Lap-Band surgery in Minnesota and is committed to the long-term health and well-being of his patients. His Minnesota surgery practice is located in Blue Earth. |
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