Keys to Success;

 I came across this page when I was going through my WLS guidelines book last night. I like to look through it sometimes just to give myself an extra boost. Just thought I'd share.

1. Protein- you msut get 60-75 grams of protein every day for the rest of your life.

2. Fluids- 60 oz./day We underestimate our need for fluids. Dehydration can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, bladder infections and headaches.

3. Exercise- Find a way to bring exercise into your life. Exercise will you to have the best overall results from this surgery. Make it fun.

4. Vitamins-patient must take multivitamin with iron, vitamin b12 and calcium. Patients who do not take their vitamins will develop a vitamin deficiency within a year.

5. No grazing and No sugar- Eat three meals plus three snacks a day. Make the commitment to stay away from sugar

6.Folow up- Follow up is essential.

7. Positive Attitude- Know that not every day is going to be a great day. There is a huge learning curve after this surgery. Be as compliant as possible and follow your guidelines and that things will get easier. Use your support system.

Those are great, but the biggest issue for me was changing how I thought about food. i watched all those horrible tv documentaries about food - Supersize me, King Corn, Vegucated et al and that helped me to steer clear of fastfoods. I have not been in a fast food restaurant in almost three years and hope to never go back.

Also, I have given up my staple pizza. I haven't had ANY soda since surgery and my drinking has totally become a non-issue. I have a glass of wine now and again as opposed to prior surgery drinking LOTS of vodka.

I have no junk food in my house. If I am out, I may splurge and eat something that is not the best for me, but that is rare.

Get a hold of your thoughts about food during those first magical 6 months. A psychiatrist who ran one of my support sessions said it takes 6 months to change a habit. Not the three weeks, I've always heard, so use that first six months, when you feel glriiously indifferent to food to your advantage.

Bump

Not everyone follows those guidelines, of course (some surgeons recommend more protein, many surgeons would disagree with the 3 meals and 3 snacks, and most people don't completely eliminate sugar from their diet), and it is a pretty borax generalization to say that someone who doesn't take their vitamins WILL develop a deficiency within a year (yes, it will happen eventually, but not necessarily in that timeframe), but good general guidelines.

Lora