Many patients are asked to lose 10-15 percent of their excess body weight before having surgery. This not only helps with the safety of the actual surgery, it also helps motivate the patient and get them started towards the results they are hoping for.

Each patient is different, but in general, patients are asked to follow a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein. Nicotine use is prohibited. No matter what, be sure to follow your doctor’s orders!

Exercise is also important for getting in pre-op shape. Losing body fat is useful for the surgery, especially in the abdominal section where the surgery takes place. Try taking a walk, riding a bicycle or playing with your pets or kids. Just move around and you’ll be amazed how much you can lose.

Being in good shape mentally is also crucial to being ready for surgery. Weight loss surgery can have a huge impact on your lifestyle. Working with professionals will give you the necessary skills to make sure you are prepared for the change that comes along with the surgery.

Weight loss surgery can greatly improve your quality of life and diet, exercise and being mentally prepared are all crucial steps to long-term success.

One of the more emotionally and physically disruptive problems associated with obesity and its related diseases is infertility. While infertility has many causes which will vary from patient to patient, obesity often creates hormonal fluctuations which can impede fertility. These hormonal imbalances are often regulated as the patient begins to lose weight and improve or resolve obesity-related issues.

If you have plans to become pregnant they should be expressed to your surgeon as soon as possible, allowing you both to create a plan toward a safe pregnancy. In the meantime, avoiding a pregnancy within 18 months after surgery is a prudent course of action. Taking precautions,  will help ensure that pregnancy-related complications due to surgical weight loss procedures will not arise. No matter what course of action you choose, be sure to follow your surgeon’s recommendations for diet and exercise after surgery as they are specifically tailored to your immediate and long-term health and needs.

If you turn on the television or pick up just about any magazine, you will most likely see images that have contributed to the generally incorrect image of what is normal. Too often the message reads “Thinner is better.” Unfortunately, that is not the reality. The average American should not be a size 0, so why are we expected to be?

Body image issues affect women more than they do men and the problem can be harmful if left untreated. With counseling, patients are often able to confront and overcome these thoughts and learn to appreciate the journey they’re on.

With weight loss surgery, a patient has the ability to lose a great deal of weight very quickly. But you shouldn’t expect to feel thin right away. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to talk to someone. Weight loss surgery is a life-changing procedure and with a drastic change comes the need to adapt – often slowly – to the new times. That’s what friends, family and counselors are there to help you with.

Weight loss surgery is also a possibility for those suffering from obesity, but should only be considered when all other potential weight loss options have been exhausted. To measure obesity and to see if they may qualify for weight loss surgery, prospective patients can use a Body Mass Index calculator at our website: www.weightlosscenterok.com.

To learn more about our medical weight-loss program please contact Siggi Ming at our office. For more information on the bariatric program, prospective patients can attend one of our free monthly bariatric seminars held at Integris Baptist Medical Center or Deaconess Hospital in OKC.

Tip #1 may seem like common sense but it is easily overlooked as an easy fix for constipation. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. This cannot be stressed enough once you’ve had Lap-Band®, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve or any other weight loss surgery. Fluids will be your best friends, not only because they will keep things moving but because you want to avoid dehydration, which can cause a whole host of problems. Try to drink 8 glasses of water every day.

Tip #2 is to exercise. This will help stimulate the bowels and keep you regular.

Tip #3 Fiber is a great friend, helping us regulate bowel movements. It can be taken as a supplement or by eating whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Fiber goes a long way for anyone who has undergone Gastric Bypass surgery. Bypass patients need to take half the recommended dose when starting fiber supplements.

Tip #4 is to stay away from some dairy products, foods high in carbohydrates and red meat, as they all contribute to constipation. Plus, they probably aren’t on the list of recommended foods to eat soon after weight loss surgery.

Tip #5 is to invest in some calcium citrate; it is easily absorbed and is great for stimulating clogged bowels.

Lastly, tip #6 is to try massaging the lower part of the stomach to stimulate a bowel.

It is not the most pleasant subject, but for a weight loss surgery patient, it is a very real concern. Constipation is not life threatening, so relax – when you gotta go and you just can’t, try these tips and you’ll be regular in no time.

Robotic gastric bypass offers far more precision than a human hand. What most people don’t know is that the surgeon is still in full control of the robot’s every move. The surgeon’s movements are translated to the robot.

To learn more about this procedure, we will be offering informational seminars every fourth Monday of the month from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The seminars will be held at Deaconess Hospital. Deaconess Hospital is located on Portland Road and NW 56th St.

Seminars are Free but please call 405-713-4450 to RSVP.

You will want to start journaling before the procedure because it lets you see, on paper, what you were eating before surgery. This lets the medical team identify bad habits and weaknesses. It also fulfills some insurance company requirements before surgery. After the surgery, you will have a limited diet and a plan that must be followed and that is where the journal is really going to help you.

The journal helps you keep track of the amount of liquids and calories you have consumed, as well as the type of foods – protein, fruits, vegetables and carbs (good and bad). It’s hard to keep track unless you write everything down.

Further, down the road in your weight loss journey, the journal is what keeps you on track and accountable.  You will have more options in what you can eat, but you want to make sure you chose the healthy options and don’t revert back to bad habits.

It is also important to record what time you are eating, and also the emotions you are feeling at the time. This lets you discover any triggers that cause you to eat and also what time you are most hungry. With that information, you can prepare yourself against the urges.  Be proactive!

Food journals keep you accountable. It only takes a couple minutes a day, but it is one of the most important tools in weight loss.

Alcohol, much like soda, is full of empty calories. There are some health benefits to drinking alcohol in moderation, but many drinks contain a high number of calories. A light beer, for example, averages about 100 calories, and mixed drinks can add a few hundred calories to your daily intake.

In order to lose weight, you need to lower the amount of calories you take in and make the best decisions about what to consume. Alcohol does not help.

The second reason to stay away from alcohol is not as obvious. After weight loss surgery, the amount and types of food you can eat is restricted.  According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, gastric bypass may allow more alcohol to enter the bloodstream causing intoxication with less consumption. This may be because the stomach is much smaller and cannot process the alcohol effectively, allowing it to enter the small intestine more quickly.

The study also observed that it takes about 88 minutes for alcohol levels to drop back to zero after gastric bypass, compared to a much shorter 49 minutes for patients before they underwent the procedure.

The best rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you really need the drink. If you do, please drink in moderation and make sure you always have a designated driver.

Finally, alcohol can irritate the stomach pouch causing discomfort and in rare cases, complications.

In the end, it is best to avoid alcohol after bariatric surgery.

Unfortunately, media is a huge source of head hunger. Advertising food products on television and in print is specifically geared toward making you hungry, even when you’re not. The point of commercials is to make you think about the food items until you go and buy them. In fact, you should wait until your body, not your mind, is hungry – then see if you really want that milkshake.

Portion size can also create head hunger. There’s no doubt that portions are too large in America – and they’re growing every year. Restaurant patrons want their money’s worth and that can come at the expense of their waistline. When eating, think about why you are still hungry – are you really hungry or is your head telling you to finish what’s on your plate? A quick tip is to ask the waiter to pack half the meal into a to-go bag before you begin. You’ll see less in front of you and have the rest for later.

Finally, emotions are a trigger for head hunger. If you are bored, lonely or sad, you may look to food to feel better. Food can be a great distraction, but ultimately, it does nothing to alleviate the feelings. In fact, it can create new feelings – guilt. Try finding the cause of the feelings and then find a new outlet for the emotion.

So always ask yourself a simple question before you eat. Am I really hungry?

It is easy to think: “the weight is gone, why do I need to work on maintenance?” The number on the scale can easily creep back up if you don’t follow the directions prescribed to you by your surgeon and you go back to your old way of life. So, how can you maintain your weight loss surgery results?

Start moving and start writing! Exercise has so many benefits and makes you feel good physically and emotionally. Take a walk, ride a bike, even do some yard work. Just keep moving!

Also, be sure to keep track of your caloric intake. Little bites of food can add up quickly, so keep a food journal and be honest with yourself. There are plenty of food journals you can print out or use online. There are also aftercare tools available from your surgeon. If you veer off course for the day, don’t worry. Get on track the next morning. Every day is a new opportunity for achievement

Work with your dietician, friends, families and those in your weight loss surgery support groups. They can offer you a lot of great advice.

Maintenance is so important for long term success. Don’t risk reversing the dramatic improvements to your quality of life. You’ve worked too hard.