If you are obese and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of around 40 or higher, you may be an ideal candidate for the LapBand surgery. If it is a procedure you are interested in undergoing, please continue reading on for a few helpful tips.

First, schedule a consultation appointment. You may have already decided that the LapBand system is right for you, but your doctor may have other thoughts. Do not get your hopes up, schedule a consultation appointment first.

Speaking of eligibility, what are your chances of being an ideal candidate for surgery? On average, LapBand surgeons recommend that patients be between the ages of 18 and 60 and about 100 pounds overweight. Not only that, a clear understanding of the surgery and what is expected from each patient is required.

Before your LapBand surgery, you will have multiple meetings with your doctor. You can consider these prolonged consultations. LapBand surgery is more than just a weight loss procedure; it is a lifestyle change. For that reason, there is a lot of preparing before the surgery. This will be done with the guidance of a LapBand surgeon.

In the weeks leading up to your surgery, your doctor will have you restrict your diet. On average, this is two to three weeks beforehand. In addition to restricting your diet to healthier foods, protein supplements will be added. Myocel is the brand most doctors recommend. These dietary chances are important, as it helps to prepare the body for surgery.

The above mentioned preparation involves a small amount of weight and fat loss. Many suffering from obesity have large livers. This is not safe for surgery. When fat is reduced around the liver, spleen, and stomach, surgery is easier and safer.

As previously stated, patients need to adjust their diet to prepare for the procedure. Foods that are high in sugar, fat, and claries need to be eliminated from the diet. Once again, this prepares the body for surgery by reducing fat content and giving you a healthier body that can heal easier.

Your doctor should provide you with a list of approved foods. Despite the possibility of a variance, there is a common list of approved foods. These foods include fruits, vegetables, lean meats, eggs, yogurt, and oatmeal.

For many obese individuals, diet restrictions are hard. Not only will doctors use this pre-surgery diet as surgery preparation, but as a test. If you are unable to avoid junk food, you are not the best candidate for LapBand surgery. To prevent complications during and after surgery, diet restrictions are necessary.

Many LapBand surgeons recommend meeting with a dietician. Even if a healthcare professional does not make the request, an appointment is beneficial to patients.

As for the procedures themselves, they vary depending on the hospital in question. You may be asked to spend the previous night in the hospital or you could arrive the morning of your surgery. Regardless, you will be asked to refrain from eating and drinking before midnight.

When preparing for any type of surgery, time off from work is a must. If your LapBand surgery is successful and complication free, hospitalization should be less than 24 hours. Even still, you may need to wait 7 days before returning to work. If your job duties include heavy lifting, consult with your surgeon first.

In addition to time off from work, you need to arrange transportation to and from surgery. Use the assistance of a friend or family member. You will be able to move before and after the surgery, but pain and discomfort is common. Reduce your stress and movement by arranging a ride to and from surgery.

The above mentioned steps are just a few of the many ways you can and should prepare for the LapBand surgery. Most importantly, schedule a consultation appointment. If you are deemed an ideal candidate for the LapBand system, your doctor will advise you on the next steps.

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Tags: Body Mass, Body Mass Index, Body Mass Index Bmi, candidate for LapBand surgery, candidate for surgery, candidate for the LapBand surgery, Consultation Appointment, Consultations, Diet Foods, Dietician, Doctors, Fat Content, Guidance, healthcare professional;, Healthier Body, Healthier Foods, Helpful Tips, Junk food;, LapBand surgeon, Lapband Surgery, Lifestyle Change, Liver, Livers, obesity;, Protein Supplements, Spleen And Stomach, Stomach Surgery, surgeon, surgery, transportation, Weight Loss Procedure —

LapBand Surgery: How to Find the Support You Need

If you suffer from severe to morbid obesity, your physician may recommend the LapBand surgery. If so, you should heed their suggestion. In cases of severe to morbid obesity, the LapBand procedure becomes more than just a weight loss surgery; it becomes a lifesaving device.

Once you receive approval from a LapBand surgeon, the process begins. Even if your surgery isnt scheduled for a month, preparation will begin almost immediately. In the two to three weeks pre-surgery, diet restrictions are a must. Patients are asked to refrain from eating or drinking before midnight. Post-surgery extreme diet restrictions are required. Patients start on a clear liquid diet then make the progression to full liquids, pureed foods, soft solids, and full solid foods. This is a very important, yet stressful procedure.

Since the LapBand system demands a lot from patients, it is not uncommon for patients to experience high stress levels and bouts of depression. To prevent this from happening, it is important to have a strong support system in place. But, where can you turn?

Your LapBand surgeon or surgical center. When choosing a LapBand surgeon, it is important to inquire about care. You want a surgeon who will do more than just operate. You need a surgeon who will properly prepare you for the procedure, educate you on each step of the surgery, and offer assistance for post surgery care. Surgeons know that the LapBand procedure is not just a surgery, but a lifestyle change. That is why many are willing to be your support throughout the entire length of the procedure.

Your primary care physician. If you have concerns about the LapBand surgery, speak directly to your surgeon. With that said, you may find support from your primary care physician. Two months after the LapBand, your surgical visits will decrease. Of course, additional appointments can be scheduled if pain and discomfort is experienced. If you just need medical advice or support, consider contacting your primary care physician.

Friends and family. The ability to receive support from a medical professional is important, but so is your support system at home. On average, home recovery takes about one week. During this time, you will be home from work. Minimal movement is okay, but you may need help from others. Not only will you need physical help, but emotional support. The changes and diet restrictions patients face following surgery can be overwhelming.

Support groups. Obesity has become a major problem in the United States. For that reason, there are many support groups available. These groups will vary. For example, there are groups for those looking to manage obesity and groups for those looking to overcome it. A LapBand support group is your best option. Speak to your LapBand surgeon, as some setup their own in-house support groups for patients.

Online support groups. If given the choice, opt for an in-person support group where you are able to meet face-to-face. This personalization can help give you comfort and reassurance. However, if this is not an option, consider online support groups. These groups can be found with a standard internet search.

Dietary experts. As previously stated, the biggest adjustment LapBand patients need to make is with their diet. For some, this may seem like an impossible task, as many do not know where to start. In that instance, a dietary expert is recommended. Let a professional help you slowly make the transition to a healthier lifestyle. Remember, weight loss is maximized when the LapBand is later combined with healthy eating and exercise.

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Tags: Appointments, Bouts, Care Physician, Clear Liquid Diet, depression;, Diet Restrictions, internet search;, Lapband Procedure, LapBand surgeon, Lapband Surgery, Lifesaving Device, Lifestyle Change, Liquids, Midnight Post, Morbid Obesity, obesity;, online support groups, pain;, physician, Primary Care, Soft Solids, Stress Levels, Stressful Procedure, Suggestion, surgeon, surgery, Surgery Care, United States;, Weight Loss Surgery —

LapBand is one of the most popular weight loss surgeries in the United States. Why? There are many reasons why. With the LapBand, an adjustable gastric band is positioned around the stomach. There is no cutting or stapling involved. Not only is the band adjustable without surgery, but it is also reversible.

If you are obese, the LapBand system may seem like the best option for you. Yes, it likely is. Those who are 100 pounds overweight can greatly benefit from undergoing the procedure, but still it is not right for everyone. To see success and reduce complications, diet restrictions are necessary. Unfortunately, diet restrictions are something not everyone can handle.

Before you assume that the LapBand system is the best weight loss option, it is important to closely examine what it expected of you. Unfortunately, many hopeful patients make the mistake of believing they will automatically lose weight with the use of the LapBand. This is not true. The LapBand surgery involves more than undergoing surgery. It also involves a lifestyle change.

If you are deemed an ideal candidate for the LapBand, you will receive a surgery date from your surgeon. Since diet restrictions are important to your success, you may want to load up on your favorite sweets. After all, these will need to be eliminated from your diet after surgery. This is not the right step. In fact, preparation for the LapBand surgery will begin two to three weeks before your surgery date.

Two to three weeks before your LapBand procedure, you will be asked to eliminate foods that are high in sugar, fat and calories from your diet. Protein supplements will be added. Protein will help to reduce the fat in the stomach area. This makes surgery easier and reduces complications.

In the two to three weeks before surgery, doctors will recommend a diet that consists of eggs, yogurt, lean meats, fruits, and vegetables. This diet will prepare your body for surgery. In addition to reducing fat content, it promotes a healthy body. A healthy body is what will allow for fast healing and few surgical complications.

In addition to preparing the body for surgery, the initial diet restriction will serve as a test. If you are unable to curb your eating habits, you are likely to continue doing so post-surgery. This means that you are not an ideal candidate for the LapBand. If your doctor notices your inability to restrict your diet, he or she may suggest putting off the LapBand surgery until you are truly ready.

As for the surgery itself, you will be asked to not eat or drink anything after midnight.

After surgery, you will be taken through various stages. Your physician will closely monitor your progress on each stage. On average, diet restrictions and LapBand adjustments will be made for one to two months.

The first week or two post-surgery, all patients are on an all-liquid diet. Liquids are easier to digest, allowing your stomach to heal and adjust to its new size. When on a liquid diet, sip slowly.

The liquid diet itself is divided into two categories. To get started, healthcare professionals recommend clear liquids. These liquids include sugar free gelatin, non-carbonated drinks, chicken broth, and watered down apple juice. A few days after surgery, progression is made to full liquids. These include milk, yogurt, pudding, and soup.

The next step is pureed foods. At this point, your body will be craving some type of substance, but it is still important to take it slow. Consuming too much can result in post-surgery complications, including pain, discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. Since pureed foods are still in liquid form, remember to sip slowly.

After one to two months, depending on the healing progress and doctors recommendations, traditional foods can be incorporated into a diet. Remember, it is important to eat traditional foods, not normal foods. You do not want to revert back to your old eating habits.

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Tags: Adjustable Gastric Band, candidate for the LapBand, Diet Protein, Diet Restrictions, Diet Supplements, Eggs, Fat Calories, Fat Content, Fruits And Vegetables, Fruits Vegetables, healthcare professionals;, Hopeful Patients, LapBand, Lapband Procedure, Lapband Surgery, Lean Meats, Lifestyle Change, Nausea, Overweight, pain;, physician, Protein Supplements, Stomach Area, surgeon, surgery, Sweets, United States;, Vegetables Diet, vomiting, Weight Loss Surgeries —

Tips to Healthy Eating and Dieting
Mike Herman

The entire country seems to be fighting the ever present “battle
of the bulge.”

With an ever expanding population that is beginning to suffer
from a variety of diseases and conditions directly related to
obesity, consider adopting an alternative lifestyle that
includes healthy eating and dieting.

Instead of trying to lose weight with potentially harmful pills
or medications, consider changing your way of thinking about
food.

Also, avoid popular fad diets that may take the weight off
initially, but usually allow you to regain all the weight (and
maybe even more) as soon as the diet ends.

Instead, look for measures of healthy eating and dieting that
will work as a lifestyle change by allowing you to lose the
weight and keep it off, in addition to gaining a better sense of
your overall health.

Instead of looking to diets that require you to purchase budget
breaking foods that are packed with preservatives, added colors,
and chemicals, change your way of thinking about losing weight
and gaining health!

This tip is the key to healthy eating and dieting. Look for
fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats for your diet and avoid
anything boxed, canned, or frozen–with the exception of frozen
vegetables.

These processed foods, in addition to prepared foods, include a
phenomenal amount of preservatives and are often high in sugars
and fats, while being low in anything of nutritional value.

Also, check the dietary information on any items you purchase so
that you can be sure the food is a good choice for your new,
healthy lifestyle.

Also, look to the Food and Drug Administration for their dietary
requirements for individuals of all different ages and health.

This guideline will allow you to choose the foods that are most
beneficial for consumption.

Usually, these guidelines encourage you to avoid sugars and
fats, usually the main causes of poor health and weight gain.

Also, the FDA will be able to provide you with nutritional
information on a variety of items, including fresh fruits and
vegetables, whose information may be a bit difficult to find.

Using this information, begin to plan you weekly meals.

About the author:

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