Nutritional Tips

What causes obesity?

While the balance of calories eaten and calories used in daily activities still determines our weight in the end, there are a number of factors which contribute to obesity. These include:

• Genetics
• Culture
• Physical inactivity
• Emotional or psychological factors
• Stress
• Gender
• Age
• High-fat/high calorie diet
• Medical Problems/medications

How much should I weigh?

The following table gives a general guideline of weight ranges in lbs. for adult men and women. Your physician may calculate a BMI, or body mass index, a number which takes into account height, weight and gender. Or, click here to view our BMI calculator. An ideal BMI falls generally between 18.5 – 25. A BMI less than 18.5 is considered underweight. A BMI between 25-30 is considered to be overweight. A BMI over 30 is considered to be obese. Individuals with a BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 with complications associated with obesity, may qualify for bariatric or lap band surgery.

How many calories do I need?

Health care professionals may use a formula called the Harris-Benedict equation to give an estimate of caloric needs. This equation will result in the basal metabolic rate, the amount of calories to maintain body functions, such as heart rate, respiration, brain function and maintaining body temperature. Click here to view our BMR calculator.

These figures are based on averages within the population. Muscular individuals may need more calories than this equation estimates. Obese individuals may need fewer calories.

You can more simply estimate that women require approximately 2000 calories per day, and men require 2500 calories per day to maintain weight. Subtract 500 calories per day and increase activity for weight loss.

What diet do you recommend to lose weight?

We do not recommend a specific diet for weight loss. We emphasize a healthy, well balanced diet of 3 meals per day of a variety of foods. The USDA Food Pyramid is a great basic guide to help you choose healthy foods. Most overweight individuals can usually find a number of problem areas in their diet habits to modify to achieve successful weight loss. These can include eliminating fried foods, high fat and high sugar snacks, and sugared drinks and sodas, serving proper portion sizes, avoiding second portions, and avoid eating between meals.

Can I drink wine/beer/alcohol on a weight loss diet?

Alcohol is absorbed very rapidly after ingestion. Because it is a toxin and your body has no way to store it, your body makes alcohol a first priority to use as an energy source instead of carbohydrates and fats. As a result, the excess carbohydrates and fats which you just ate, and which were not used as energy, are stored as fat. This results in a slower weight loss.

Why do I need to lose weight before surgery?

Your physician and your insurance company may wish to see that you are able to make the commitment and lifestyle changes required for bariatric surgery to be successful. Weight loss may also reduce the risk involved with surgery.

Why do I need to be on a liquid diet before surgery?

It is believed that the weight loss around your internal organs can greatly reduce the risk involved in bariatric surgery.

How long does it take to lose weight?

In general, if you reduce your caloric intake by 500 calories per day, you can expect to lose about 1 lb. per week. Thus it takes a long time, and much patience to lose weight, especially when your weight reaches plateaus, and you become bored with a major change in your usual eating patterns. After bariatric surgery you lose weight much faster because you are severely restricted in the amount of calories you are able to eat. You may lose as much as 100 lbs. in 6 months. Weight loss after lap band surgery is slower. You may lose 50 lbs in the first year. Keep in mind that your overall success depends on following an appropriate pattern of eating and exercise for the rest of your life.

What diet do I need to follow after bariatric surgery?

The first day of surgery you will be given ice chips and clear liquids in very small amounts, (liquids you can see through, such as broth, sugar free jello, decaffeinated tea and coffee). You will then advance to a protein drink. Still, you can sip only very small amounts, about a medicine cup full every hour. This is the diet you will follow when you are discharged from the hospital. The following two to three weeks is a very crucial time in following your diet, because you are able to eat/drink so little and your protein needs are great. You will need to continue drinking about two medicine cups of protein drink every hour, (we use Optisource), alternated with sips of water and ice chips in between. Your goal is to drink the equivalent of three 8-oz cartons per day, providing close to 80 grams of protein. Following your return visit to your surgeon, you may be advised to add soft, high protein foods to your diet. These include cottage cheese and other low fat cheeses, egg, and tuna fish, and other soft baked fish such as white fish and salmon. Take your chewable multivitamin and other supplements as directed by your physician and dietitian. By week four you may be ready to add more foods to your diet one tablespoon at a time. Remember, progress slowly, and add one food per day. We suggest soft steamed vegetables such as carrots, mashed potato, green beans and peas. Week 5, you may begin to add chicken, pork, turkey or ground beef. Gradually, you can add soft canned fruits (packed in water or natural juices, not in syrup), beans and legumes. Wait 4 months before adding raw fruits and vegetables and salads. Chew all foods very well.

Do I have to take vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of my life?

Yes. Vitamin and mineral supplements are required to help prevent nutritional deficiencies. Because of your limited intake and malabsorption from the gastric bypass certain vitamins and minerals will not be absorbed as well, particularly calcium, vitamin D, Iron, and vitamin B12. Everyone will require a multivitamin and mineral supplement following surgery. Other supplements needed will be determined on an individual basis.

What is dumping syndrome?

Most people are extremely sensitive to sugar following gastric bypass surgery, especially sugar added to foods. After gastric bypass surgery, foods high in sugar rapidly enter the small intestine (dump). This leads to feelings of nausea, dizziness, stomach cramps, sweatiness, heart palpitations, and diarrhea. These symptoms are very uncomfortable, but not dangerous. This problem is prevented by avoiding foods with added sugar, and avoiding eating and drinking at the same time. Avoid foods that have sugar as one of the first 3 ingredients. These are other names for sugar: Sucrose, Glucose, Corn syrup, Maltose, Fructose, Lactose fruit sugar, Dextrose, Honey and Manitol.

Is it true that some people regain the weight they have lost following surgery?

Regaining weight, or experiencing only minimal weight loss can and does occur. This is usually directly related to consuming high fat and high sugar foods. Weight loss surgery will only limit the volume of food you are able to eat. Successful weight loss requires that you eat foods high in nutritional value, and low in fat and sugar. It is important to follow the nutritional guidelines as part of your new lifestyle. Avoid the following foods:
Milk shakes and malt drinks, ice cream, pudding, cakes, pastries, fried foods, chips and other high fat snack foods, soft drinks, and candy.

Tips to help you reach healthy weight goals

• Eat 3 meals per day.  Do not skip meals.
• Avoid fried and fatty foods, and high sugar snacks and drinks.
• Eat single portions.  Watch portion sizes!
• Focus primarily on lean protein, fruits and vegetables.
• Think of chicken, fish, fruits and vegetables as the main food groups in your diet.
• For snacks try lite popcorn, and vegetables and low fat dip.
• Exercise!  Exercise!  Exercise!

Did you know...?

• If you eat 15 chips per day, (equivalent to 1 small bag, or 150 calories), you will gain 15 lbs. in one year.
• One lb. of weight is equal to 3500 calories.  If you reduce your calorie intake by 500 calories per day, you will lose1 lb per week.
• Using the USDA Food Pyramid as a guide, if you eat the smallest number of servings from each food group you will consume about 1200 calories.  If you eat the largest number of servings from each food group you will consume about 2000 calories.

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