Develop a plan for success

Friday, 20 January 2012 10:05

Making the decision to have weight-loss surgery is a huge step forward in improving your quality of life and overall health. Having a written game plan can increase your chances of success by reminding you of your goals and motivating you to keep moving forward even when things get difficult. Weight-loss surgery requires major diet and lifestyle changes; knowing what to expect and having an action plan in place ahead of time will help you effectively deal with setbacks and challenges as they arise.

• Tell family and friends about your surgery so you can start building a support network. Tell your support network how they can help you - not serving or offering desserts, not telling you to eat more, simply being available to listen, or even joining you for walks, workouts, or healthy meals. Choose your support network carefully — you don't have to tell everyone you know about your surgery, especially if you think someone may not be supportive or might react negatively.
• Commit to following your doctor's instructions for your pre-op liquid diet, post-op liquid diet, and post-op soft foods phase.
• Think of ways to celebrate your birthday or other special events that don't revolve around food. Plan a girls' day at the spa, organize a game night, or go bowling. If the weather is nice, take the family to the zoo, attend an art fair, or rent paddle boats at the lake.
• Commit to hiring a personal trainer if your budget allows. Check at local gyms for special offers — many offer discounted training packages to new members.
• Keep health, band-friendly foods in the house. Always take a list when you go grocery shopping, and avoid the candy aisle and other problem areas in the store.
• Journal or blog regularly and chronicle your success - and admit it when you mess up. Accept that you are only human and mistakes will happen, and get right back on track.
• Make a list of healthy ways to deal with stress — take a bubble bath, go for a walk, work out, or call a friend. When the urge to snack strikes, draw on your list of proven distractions.
• Write down your non-scale victories to help mark your progress if — and when — your weight loss stalls.
• Measure yourself periodically and write down your measurements. This will give you another success marker for when your weight plateaus.
• Be proactive about your care. Don't procrastinate on fills to the point that you start gaining weight.
• Organize your clothes by size so that you don't miss the chance to wear something you like as you lose weight.
• Set mini goals for yourself - for example, losing another 10 pounds — and reward yourself with non-food treats, such as a facial, mani/pedi, or a new top.
• Commit to switching from soda to diet soda, and eventually wean yourself off soda completely.
• When you start going to restaurants again, go with supportive people in your network who know about your surgery. Start building a list of restaurants that offer healthy, band-friendly menu items.
• Don't read too much about negative experiences on Lap-Band forums or chat rooms. Focus on the positive.
• Know that the success with the Lap-Band or any type of weight-loss surgery isn't easy, but it is worth it. And know that you are not just embarking on another restrictive diet or burdened with maintaining your weight on your own for the long term - you are setting yourself up with tools that will help you succeed and build healthy habits for years to come.