Dallas Fort Worth Weight Loss Surgery Tools

By admin on February 22, 2009 at 8:51 pm

REALIZE mySUCCESS (TM) is an internet-based program and self-accountability tool developed for patients with the Ethicon Realize Band. In an attempt to enhance patient accountability, long term weight loss success, patients with a Realize band have access to a Web-based tool that tracks post-operative goals, customize plans and monitor their weight loss progress. In a recent observational study, about 3,800 people who had a Realize band and used REALIZE mySUCCESS (TM) were studied to see if the program helped them lose more weight and keep up with all forms of accountability needed to be successful with adjustable gastric banding surgery for weight loss. The results indicated that people who were frequent users (> or = to 1 x week) lost statistically more weight at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months than people who were infrequent users (< 1x/week). People who logged on and kept track of themselves lost about 46% of their excess body weight at 6 months, this was 10% more than infrequent users. Let’s say you want to lose 100#, you would lose about 46 pounds by six months with more frequent self-accountability. Also the study found that almost 90% of people using the program were still participating, so staying involved in your care is key to meeting your long term weight loss goals.

One of my greatest concerns is that people tend to put all their eggs in one basket when they have a gastric band placed from Realize or Lap Band. Imagine if you will that four pillars are holding up a building. One pillar is behavior modification, one is fitness, one is diet composition (calories, protein, etc…) and the last is a properly tightened band. Each of the four pillars provides 25% of the strength of the building. If you rely too heavily on one pillar or completely ignore one, the building will crumble. For gastric banding this is very true, if you rely on the band to be tight, but do not exercise or engage in healthful eating behavior or try to eat small amounts of less than healthful foods, your building will crumble. The next time you think you need a fill ask your self whether or not your building is sturdy and if you are truly utilizing all the tools needed to realize your success. Your band does not need to be super tight to eat a variety of foods per day to make it to about 900 to 1400 calories and go for a 30 minute walk. So here’s to living fresh.

Posted in Ask the dietitian, Lap Band | Comments Off