Also, unlike gastric bypass surgery, which is both restrictive and malabsorptive, the Lap-Band procedure only limits caloric intake without affecting the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. This is particularly important during pregnancy, because patients need to ensure that they take in extra vitamins and minerals to support the growth of the baby in the womb. Later, the Lap-Band can be adjusted back to kick-start weight loss again.

The Lap-Band is also a good option for women who may be in a high-risk category for pregnancy, because the surgery is reversible. Removing the band entirely before trying to have a child can minimizing the chance of health risks related to the gastric band during pregnancy.

Perhaps more importantly, a bariatric procedure, like Lap-Band surgery, can increase the odds of getting pregnant in the first place.

“In many cases, gastric banding surgery can help women who are clinically obese and have experienced fertility problems,” notes Denton Lap-Band surgeon Dr. David Provost. Obesity has been linked to ovulation problems and also to infertility in women who ovulate normally, research shows. In many cases, after a woman loses a significant amount of her excess weight, she is able to conceive more easily.

In a study from late 2006, women who had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher had more trouble conceiving than normal weight or overweight women. The higher the woman’s BMI, the lower her chance of conceiving, researchers found. For example, a woman with a BMI of 35 was 26% less likely to become pregnant, whereas a woman with a BMI over 40 was 43% less likely to get pregnant.

The sudden ability to conceive after dramatic weight loss can sometimes have comical results.

“What some patients think is nausea caused by their Lap-Band turns out to be good old fashioned morning sickness,” says Dr. Provost.

Although there are many advantages to the Lap-Band for pregnancy—from improving the chance of conceiving to allowing for weight gain during pregnancy and increasing the nutrients consumed while breastfeeding—gastric banding surgery is not the right option for everyone. Gastric bypass surgery and the sleeve gastrectomy also offer benefits for women who struggle with obesity and are planning to have a family. To learn more about the risks and benefits of each bariatric procedure and discuss your specific needs, please contact our office or attend one of our upcoming information sessions.

Title: Informational Meeting
Location: Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, Rio Grande Room
Description: Dr. Provost will meet with prospective WLS patients who are considering weight loss surgery
Start Time: 6:30 p.m.
Date: 02-09-2012

Packing on a couple of extra pounds after indulging in too much fruitcake and eggnog may not sound like a big deal, but those Christmas calories can add up over time. Consider a 30-year old who gains an additional five pounds each holiday season. Without taking action to curtail the trend, those extra calories will result in a 50-pound weight gain by the time he or she is 40 years old. Research also shows that it is harder to lose weight the older you get, particularly for women after menopause.

Weight loss surgery is a proven treatment for the management of obesity for people who are at least 80 to 100 pounds overweight. Weight loss surgery restricts the amount of food you can comfortably consume at one sitting, which in turn restricts your caloric intake. Most patients lose weight rapidly within the first 12 to 18 months – often a pound a day or more – and are much less likely to gain additional weight during the holidays.

Gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band) surgery are the most common forms of bariatric surgery. Each procedure has a track record of success and is effective for achieving significant weight loss for patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher. Gastric bypass surgery can have the added effect of dumping syndrome, which can result in painful cramping, diarrhea or vomiting that is often triggered by eating foods high in sugar. Many patients actually consider this side effect a benefit, as it prevents them from consuming too many sweets during the holidays and throughout the year, helping them keep the weight off for the long term.

To have a lasting effect, weight loss surgery patients must stay mindful of their new eating habits even years after their procedure. Bariatric surgery can result in rapid and dramatic weight loss, but it is not a miracle cure. You still need to eat a healthy diet, keep portion sizes small, and follow the guidelines for pouch management to ensure you do not regain weight over time. Getting regular exercise – even walking for 30 minutes a day – can also help you maintain a normal BMI and increase your longevity after weight loss surgery.

If you gained a couple of extra pounds this holiday season, you need not be overly concerned. Cutting back on fatty foods and sweets for a few weeks and increasing your physical activity can help you shed the excess weight within a month or two. But, if you have struggled with obesity for several years and have not been able to lose the weight with diet and exercise alone, weight loss surgery may be your best option. We invite you to attend one of our upcoming informational sessions or call our office to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Provost to learn whether bariatric surgery is right for you.

Title: Informational Meeting
Location: Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, Rio Grande Room
Description: Dr. Provost will meet with prospective WLS patients who are considering weight loss surgery
Start Time: 6:30 p.m.
Date: 01-12-2012

Questions? please call us at (940) 323-3450.

Title: Support Group Meeting
Location: Provost Bariatrics, 2501 Scripture Rd., Suite 303, Denton, Texas 76201
Start Time: 7:00 p.m.
Date: 12-13-2011

Title: Informational Meeting
Location: Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, Meeting Room 1&2
Description: Dr. Provost will meet with prospective WLS patients who are considering weight loss surgery
Start Time: 6:30 p.m.
Date: 12-8-2011

Questions? please call us at (940) 323-3450.

Title: Support Group Meeting
Location: Provost Bariatrics, 2501 Scripture Rd., Suite 303, Denton, Texas 76201
Start Time: 7:00 p.m.
Date: 11-22-2011

Title: Informational Meeting
Location: Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, Meeting Room 1&2
Description: Dr. Provost will meet with prospective WLS patients who are considering weight loss surgery
Start Time: 6:30 p.m.
Date: 11-10-2011

Questions? please call us at (940) 323-3450.

Title: Support Group Meeting
Location: Provost Bariatrics, 2501 Scripture Rd., Suite 303, Denton, Texas 76201
Start Time: 7:00 p.m.
Date: 11-08-2011

If this describes your past experience, then you should be aware of the changes that take place after weight loss surgery, both physically and psychologically. One of the first issues you will face is learning to redefine what it means to be hungry and how it feels to be satisfied. Here are some pointers to help you navigate the new landscape and manage your pouch post-surgery.

Recognize Head Hunger
Often, we think that we’re physically hungry when really we are “head hungry”. Head hunger is that nagging or impulsive voice that you want to satisfy with food. The voice often repeats the same message, like, “I had a bad day”, “I deserve a treat”, “Just one more…” or “It’s the weekend.” Typically, we reach for unhealthy food choices when we’re feeding our head hunger. (Really, when was the last time you had an insatiable craving for carrot sticks?) Physical hunger, on the other hand, is the gnawing sensation in the stomach, which is easily remedied with a nutritious snack or meal. So, the next time you feel “hungry”, ask yourself which one you are feeding – your stomach or your head.

Mark Yourself Present
Before weight loss surgery, being “satisfied” after a meal might have meant eating until you thought you were going to burst. Or, you might have eaten large quantities of one particular item – say, cereal, chips or ice cream – to feed a craving rather than actual physical hunger. Once you have a new, smaller stomach pouch – whether from a gastric bypass, Lap-Band or gastric sleeve – you will become physically full after just a few bites. To recognize this feeling of satiety, however, you need to be both physically and mentally “present” when you eat. (That means no multitasking during meals!)

We teach patients to stop eating when they feel a pressure sensation at the breast bone. If you feel chest pressure, you already ate too much, and if you feel pressure in your throat or esophagus…be prepared to spit up. Becoming attuned to these physical sensations as you learn to navigate your bariatric pouch will help you determine when you should stop eating.

Think of the Funnel
Think of your post-weight loss surgery stomach as a funnel. Your goal is to fill the funnel with foods that will make the walls stretch just enough to tell your brain to quit eating. DO NOT eat foods that pass through funnels, including liquid calories (such as juice, milk, and soup), soft mushy calories (like yogurt, cheese, cream of wheat, and grits), all sweets, and small salty crunchies (like pretzels, chips and Cheetos^®).

Back Off the Beverages
Another habit that many patients have to break is the custom of drinking a beverage with their meal. When managing your pouch, you need to forgo liquids for at least 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after eating. This is so that food is not washed through your system too quickly, which can negate the effects of the pouch and cause you to consume more food (and calories) before you feel full.

Remember the Pouch Rules
Regardless of which procedure you have, pouch rules are universal to all bariatric surgeries. The pouch rules are there to help you maintain your pouch size and decrease the chances of complications or weight regain. Here is a recap of the essential pouch rules:

• Meals should take only 15-20 minutes. (If you’re taking longer, odds are you’re eating too much.)
• No drinking with meals or within 30-60 minutes of mealtime, and no carbonated beverages ever.
• Eat 1 – 1½ cups of solid food at every meal.
• Eat proteins first to fill your funnel, then produce and carbs if you still have room. Let satiety (not pain!) tell you when to stop eating.

Above all, remember that your pouch is your friend! You suffered from the disease of obesity, and your pouch is part of the treatment plan designed to help you get healthy and live a more fulfilling life. Yes, you will need to change the way you think and feel about food, change how you approach holidays and events, and learn how to feel your way through emotional upset rather than stuff down those feelings with food. In short, you are going to have to change everything. If you partner with your weight loss surgery as if it were your best buddy, you can keep your pouch happy and enjoy lasting post-surgery success!

Questions? Call our Denton weight loss surgery practice at 888-715-4330.