Lifestyle Strategies for
Successful Weight Loss


For lifelong success with weight management, patients should set and reach goals before surgery, follow the program's strategies for success and closely follow the recommended diet and exercise guidelines.

Goals Before Surgery


  • Weight loss (try 1000 - 1200 calories per day)
  • Eat 3 meals a day (1 to 2 snacks are OK)
  • Practice chewing (30 chews per bite)
  • Drink 64 ounces of fluids daily
  • Practice sipping SLOWLY
  • Stop soda, high calorie drinks, caffeine, fast foods, fried foods, sugary foods and alcohol
  • Emphasize weighing and measuring
  • Start taking your multivitamin and calcium
  • Take 20 minutes or longer to eat
  • Keep a food diary
  • Start moving


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Strategies for Success


  • Eat three regular meals -- avoid grazing or snacking
  • Emphasize protein (60 gms protein, 1000 calories)
  • Eat slowly and chew food well
  • Solid food at meals, fluids between meals
  • Stop eating as soon as you feel full
  • Make wise choices -- nutrient dense foods
  • Exercise daily
  • Take your supplements


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Successful Weight Loss


People who lose the most weight and keep it off:

  • Change their lifestyle
  • Become more physically active
  • Exercise daily
  • Follow diet guidelines after surgery
  • Take lifelong supplements
People who are not successful:
  • Revert to old eating habits
  • Drink high calorie fluids
  • Graze or snack
  • Avoid exercise


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WEPNS


Remember...

W Water
E Exercise
P Protein
N No snacking (minimum)
S Supplements


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Special Concerns

Pregnancy


If you plan to become pregnant after your surgery, adhere to the following precautions:

  • Wait 12 to 18 months prior to conceiving
  • Be sure to take birth control
  • Avoid taking a glucose tolerance test (A1c or fasting glucose)
  • Add prenatal to regular vitamins
  • Attend high risk OB clinic for more frequent ultrasounds


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