Changing Your Lifestyle After LAP-BAND Weight Loss Surgery

Tuesday, 12 May 2009 10:40

After LAP-BAND weight loss surgery, your life will drastically change. Making the decision to choose LAP-BAND surgery means that you are committed towards positively changing your health and overall well-being. Being prepared and motivated to create healthy change will help you cope with your new lifestyle much better. Here are some tips and techniques that can help you on your weight loss journey with a LAP-BAND.

Personal Growth

Taking time after the surgery to create personal mental growth is very important. Writing daily in a journal about your changing body and attitude is a great way to not only keep track of your progress, but to also let out feelings and emotions that might otherwise remain bottled up inside. Try to write in a paper journal or online blog everyday.

It might also be helpful to create a list of short and long-term goals to continue to work towards as your lifestyle changes. These can range from taking a walk with your dog every day to saving for a vacation with family. Having goals, no matter how big or small, will keep your life moving on a track that maintains a positive outlook.

Stress Techniques

Adjusting to a new lifestyle can be extremely difficult, especially if your life before LAP-BAND weight loss surgery centered around food and meal times. However, do not let stress, worry, and anxiety replace food you are no longer eating. Hugh Prather, a best-selling author, pastor, and counselor, reminds readers in his book, The Little Book of Letting Go, that you must first recognize those negative feelings and then replace them with positive thoughts, such as the fun weekend you had with friends or the last time you played in the park with your children.

Time Management

Creating a schedule that accommodates your new diet and an exercise plan that coincides with your friends' and family's can be difficult at first. It is important to remember that you got the LAP-BAND weight loss surgery to make yourself healthier, so carving time out for yourself is crucial. Alone time to relax, get a massage, or exercise will lower stress levels and help you handle all the pressures of your daily life, which may include juggling children's activities and the demands of a high-pressure career.

Writing everything down can help you stay organized. Get a large calendar or personal planner that will allow you to keep track of all activities, holidays, deadlines, and personal goals.

Diet & Exercise

Even though it seems so much easier to stop by the fast food drive-thru on the way home, you will ultimately feel more satisfied and rewarded if you take time to prepare healthy meals. Make a shopping list weekly or monthly of what food is needed and make sure to buy healthy snacks to keep at work and at home. Having a healthy alternative already available will prevent splurges on unhealthy foods.

An exercise plan is also very important. If possible, book a set time each day to exercise. Working out first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or immediately after work will help you make sure exercise is a priority in your new lifestyle. Having a work-out buddy or recruiting your spouse or partner to exercise with you is a great way to stay accountable and motivated.

Wardrobe

The new lifestyle that weight loss brings also means that you will most likely need a new wardrobe of smaller clothes once you have reached your goal weight. However, this doesn't have to be an expensive endeavor — have your current favorite items taken in at a tailor if possible and splurge only on classic items that will never go out of style, like black suits or a crisp white shirt.

Other less-crucial or trendy pieces can be found on a modest budget — pick up items at a gently used clothing store such as Plato's Closet or garage sales. Additionally, combing the sale racks at stores like Target and JC Penney can also yield some great bargains.

While a new lifestyle is certainly exciting, be sure to stay organized and motivated to continue being healthy. Don't be afraid to ask for support from friends and family members — life with a LAP-BAND can certainly be a stressful transition and you don't have to do it alone.