{"id":259,"date":"2019-12-31T09:00:17","date_gmt":"2019-12-31T14:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.njbariatriccenter.com\/?p=259"},"modified":"2023-10-24T16:05:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T20:05:25","slug":"new-year-new-commitment-to-guidelines-for-new-jersey-bariatric-centers-gastric-bypass-gastric-sleeve-and-lap-band-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.njbariatriccenter.com\/new-year-new-commitment-to-guidelines-for-new-jersey-bariatric-centers-gastric-bypass-gastric-sleeve-and-lap-band-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year, New Commitment to Guidelines for New Jersey Bariatric Center's Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve Patients"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the ball drops on New Year\u2019s Eve, shouts of \u201cHAPPY NEW YEAR!\u201d often turn to whispers of New Year\u2019s resolutions. Weight loss continues to be one of the most popular resolutions there is. Thankfully weight loss is one goal you\u2019ve already checked off your list. So what does New Jersey Bariatric Center<\/strong>\u00ae<\/sup>'s doctors and dietitians tell Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve patients to concentrate on in the New Year? Three things: maintenance, maintenance and maintenance.<\/p>\n

Weight loss surgery is a tool, and just like any other tool, it needs to be used correctly for it to be effective in the long run. A few years after surgery, patients often feel like the weight will never come back. They may let their guard down and start to see weight slowly come back on. Others may have hit a plateau and have a few more pounds to go. While others have reached their goal weight and want long-term success. No matter what your situation, use the New Year as a way to recommit yourself to the tactics that you learned when you first began your weight loss surgery journey.<\/p>\n

Think back to when you were about one month out of surgery.\u00a0 Remember the guidelines you were following then, and continue to follow those guidelines now, no matter how long ago you had the surgery.\u00a0 The following are the key to your maintaining your weight:<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t drink your calories.<\/strong> Make sure that you are not consuming any juices, sodas, sweetened teas.\u00a0 If you have alcohol, remember that this is an \u201cempty\u201d calorie and will work against weight loss. (Remember too that you will feel the effects of alcohol<\/a> much quicker than before you had surgery.)<\/p>\n

Related: Think Before You Drink: How to Make Healthy Beverage Decisions Post Weight Loss Surgery<\/a><\/p>\n

No grazing.<\/strong>\u00a0Bariatric surgery prevents you from eating large portions at meals. It won\u2019t stop you from picking on small portions of food throughout the day.\u00a0 Make sure to have meal structure in your day: three meals per day with one high-protein snack<\/a>.\u00a0 If you find yourself snacking during the day, start keeping a snack log and write down any foods you consume. This will hold you accountable and may help control the mindless eating.<\/p>\n

Do not eat and drink at the same time.<\/strong> Just because you are a few years out, it is still important to separate drinking and eating. Wait 20-30 minutes after a meal before drinking.\u00a0 Fluids can flush the solid food out of your stomach before you get the sensation of being full. That means you can eat more at meals, which can lead to weight gain.<\/p>\n

Focus on lean proteins.<\/strong> Remember the rule: proteins first, then vegetables, then starch. Hopefully you\u2019re continuing to follow this rule.\u00a0 Protein has many benefits including the following:<\/p>\n