Answer:
First of all, congratulations on your weight loss so far! Unfortunately, weight loss
plateaus are a frustrating and all-too-common occurrence, even with weight loss surgeries.
If you hit a plateau in the first year or two after lap band surgery, your surgeon
would be the best person to evaluate what might be contributing to the slow-down and
whether or not the volume of food you are consuming per day is appropriate. The plateau
could be an indication that your surgeon may need to increase the restriction in your
band and thus reduce the volume of how much you are eating per day. Plateaus can also
occasionally be caused by the band being too tight, which can encourage a greater
intake of liquid calories, or softer foods, which tend to slip through more easily
and fail to leave you feeling full and satisfied (and make you more likely to increase
your calorie intake).
If the amount of restriction in your lap band is not the issue, your surgeon will likely want to review your food and exercise records to see if the amounts and types of food you are eating (and beverages you are consuming) could be contributing to a halt in your weight loss. B Because the amount of food that can be eaten is so small, it is very important to make sure that every calorie "counts" - i.e., that everything you consume is something your body needs. You may also want to take a look at how much physical activity you are doing and see where and how that might be increased so that you are not only restricting your calorie intake but increasing the number of calories you burn each day.
Reports in the medical literature suggest that those who have had lap band surgery can expect to lose about 40-50 percent of their excess body weight. To achieve the best results, for weight loss and good health, it's important to adhere to the following guidelines:
If the amount of restriction in your lap band is not the issue, your surgeon will likely want to review your food and exercise records to see if the amounts and types of food you are eating (and beverages you are consuming) could be contributing to a halt in your weight loss. B Because the amount of food that can be eaten is so small, it is very important to make sure that every calorie "counts" - i.e., that everything you consume is something your body needs. You may also want to take a look at how much physical activity you are doing and see where and how that might be increased so that you are not only restricting your calorie intake but increasing the number of calories you burn each day.
Reports in the medical literature suggest that those who have had lap band surgery can expect to lose about 40-50 percent of their excess body weight. To achieve the best results, for weight loss and good health, it's important to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Eat three small meals per day; no snacking between meals.
- Focus on eating protein first each meal to insure adequate intake (and protein helps us feel more full or satiated).
- Avoid high-sugar, high-fat, high-calorie foods.
- Eat slowly and chew food until it is of "baby food" consistency.
- Avoid fibrous foods such as nuts and seeds, corn, popcorn and grapes.
- Stop eating as soon as you feel full.
- Avoid drinking while eating (or your solid food will slip through more easily).
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day outside of meal times (and drink only low-calorie, non-carbonated beverages.
- Exercise regularly.
