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Ongoing Support After Surgery

It is common for patients to struggle to adhere to the rigors of their diet after bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgeons and weight loss experts agree that patients need help establishing and maintaining a new diet, exercising regularly, and staying in touch with their healthcare team. Establishing and consistently relying on a support system can help patients overcome their struggles.

Karen Schulz, a program coordinator at a bariatric practice, says she recommends that patients look for a comprehensive bariatric program that offers support to its patients. ?I think it's nice to have multiple ways that you can get support in a program, not just the support group but also other supportive services.?

Establishing a support system
Support can come in many forms: friends, family, co-workers, bariatric support groups, a bariatric surgeon, and the bariatric clinic staff. For REALIZE^® Adjustable Gastric Band patients, their support system also includes the REALIZE mySUCCESS^® Program.

Friends and family
Friends and family who can offer encouragement, celebrate achievements, and provide support are important to overall success. They can be exercise partners, encourage healthy food choices, and provide reassurance when challenges arise.

Patients often need to explain their decision to have weight loss surgery to family and friends who think diet and exercise are the best ways to lose weight. It is often helpful for the patient to explain that diet and exercise did not work for them and that bariatric surgery is more effective in helping obese people lose weight. Once loved ones fully understand the decision, they may be more likely to join a support team.

?When my family first heard I was considering surgery, they made comments about why I couldn't just lose the weight on my own,? says Viki Weber, a REALIZE Band patient. ?I would say ?If it really is that easy, don't you think I would have done it already?? Once I had the surgery, I think there was a time that my family had to adjust to the new me. I was more confident; I was paying attention to myself?something they weren't used to. But, as we made our way through this, we all realized how happy I am with my decision. With that, came the support. Eventually they joined my team and began watching what we eat as a family.?

Support groups
Support groups are another form of assistance. They provide an opportunity for patients to discuss their personal and professional issues. Through these groups, patients often learn that bariatric surgery will not immediately resolve emotional issues or heal the emotional damage that morbid obesity may have caused. Most surgeons have support groups in place.

Web-based clinical support for REALIZE Band patients
The REALIZE Band is the only gastric band that includes the REALIZE mySUCCESS^® Program. It is a Web-based clinical support tool designed to help patients build and reinforce habits that are important for maintaining weight loss over time.

REALIZE mySUCCESS^® was developed in conjunction with bariatric surgeons, dietitians, and behavior modification specialists to guide patients through two stages for success after surgery: Stage 1: Building healthy habits over the first 18 months. Stage 2: Staying motivated, on track, and connected with the bariatric practice over the next 18 months and beyond.

This Web-based clinical support tool helps patients adjust to life after surgery, develop healthy habits in the areas of eating, exercise, and emotional well-being, and connects patients to their surgeons. This type of support is important, because it can help patients lose more weight. According to a recent 12-month study, REALIZE Band patients who frequently use REALIZE mySUCCESS^® lose significantly more weight in the first year after surgery.*

Most online weight loss programs are intended for use by anyone wishing to lose weight. REALIZE mySUCCESS^® has tools and features tailored to the unique needs of bariatric patients.

REALIZE mySUCCESS^® helps bariatric patients:

Anyone considering weight loss surgery may start using REALIZE mySUCCESS^®. Before surgery, a limited set of features and tools is available, which is intended to help people begin changing their habits and improving their health. Access to the full set of features and tools is available only to patients who choose the REALIZE Band. See how to sign up for REALIZE mySUCCESS^®. 

© Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. 2009 DSL#09-1077

*Patients who frequently use REALIZE mySUCCESS^® lose significantly more weight. Based on 12 months of patient-reported data from REALIZE Band patients using REALIZE mySUCCESS^®. Frequent users were in the top third of patients based on frequency of entering a weight into REALIZE mySUCCESS^®. Source: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. data on file.

This information is provided by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Ethicon Endo-Surgery is not responsible for any other content on this Web site. The REALIZE^® Adjustable Gastric Band is used in morbidly obese adult patients for significant long-term weight loss. It may not be right for individuals with certain digestive tract conditions. All surgery presents risks. Weight, age, and medical history determine your specific risks. Ask your doctor if bariatric surgery is right for you. 

For more information, visit the official site for the REALIZE^® Adjustable Gastric Band, www.REALIZE.com, or call 1-866-REALIZE.