Successful WLS Patients Make Right Their Nutritional Wellness

It seems there are two schools of behavior patients follow after gastric bypass surgery:

The first are the patients who realize WLS is a second chance to make right their nutritional wellness and they exchange the eating habits and poor food choices that made them obese for a smarter way of eating. These patients become champions of healthy ingredients and wholesome eating making conscious choices for how they fuel their bodies. They are non-stop learners in constant quest for information to aid in their health and wellness. They are actively engaged in their own nutrition to improve their health and make strong their bodies against disease. These patients have tremendous success in long-term weight maintenance following massive weight loss.

The second are the patients who rely solely on the restrictive and malabsorptive nature of the gastric bypass to lose weight. They half-heartedly follow the program during the phase of rapid weight loss and little by little the old habits that made them obese sneak back into their daily living. You'll hear these patients say, "I can eat anything I want, just less of it" and they laugh. But the joke is on them because sure enough, these patients will regain weight and suffer from poor nutritional health.

Perhaps the people in the "old habits" school think it's a waste of effort or energy to try and eat healthy ? after all, we eat such little portions. Perhaps they think health food is seaweed and tofu and icky stuff like that. Perhaps they simply don't have the information necessary to affect positive healthy change in their diets.

Dr. Bernard Jensen in "Guide to Body Chemistry & Nutrition" writes, "The old saw "what you don't know can't hurt you" just isn't true when it comes to body chemistry, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Ignorance leads to poor nutritional choices, chemical deficiencies and the kinds of diseases that prey on an undernourished body and shorten the life span. Heart disease, cancer and diabetes all take a terrible toll on life in this country, and all three of them are strongly influenced by food patterns and lifestyle habits. . . The right kind of knowledge can always lead us to a better life."

Dr. Jensen writes, "Hippocrates said, "Let your food be your medicine, and let your medicine be your food." In my opinion, the kitchen is more important to our health than the doctor's office or the local hospital. If food selection, preparation and cooking are done wisely, intentionally and properly, very little time will need be spent visiting health care facilities." Dr. Jensen, by the way, wrote "Guide to Body Chemistry & Nutrition" at age 92.

Before WLS surgery I believe it is fair to say many of us "let food be our comfort" and indeed we were well comforted ? that's why we needed surgery. If we can change that thought to "let food be our medicine" and treat it as such, perhaps our relationship with food will improve, our bodies will become healthier and the quality of life will exceed expectation.

It has been noted by many a bariatric counselor that patients are resistant toward learning a healthier way to live. One nurse told me, "Some people want to have doctors take care of them. They don't want to take responsibility for their own lives." But she noted the patients who are eager to learn good nutrition do not regain weight, do not fight the emotional demons of weight fluctuations and they enjoy boundless physical wellness. They never suffer from obesity again.

Dr. Jensen states, "There are arguments, disagreements, people defending their right to eat what they love. I tell them I don't blame them and encourage them to make the change because it's the right thing for them to do."

Kaye Bailey © 2005 - All Rights Reserved

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com

Livin gAfterWLS is a no-nonsense resource for people Living After Weight Loss Surgery. Our community is growing in numbers even as we are shrinking in pounds. Together we support one another in this lifestyle, that it turns out, is NOT the easy way out.

Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often. To subscribe to the LivingAfterWLS monthly newsletter "You Have Arrived" click on http://www.livingafterwls.com and enter your details in the subscription box.

---

Obesity, Whats The Big Deal Part 4

In this issue, I am going to focus more on... Read More

Super Sizing: Money Shrinks While Waist Lines Grow

"Your Eyes are Bigger Than Your Stomach""Your eyes are bigger... Read More

Relieve Stress at Your Workplace: It Might Just Help You Manage Your Weight!

No doubt about it, when we feel stressed we want... Read More

Tired Of Struggling To Lose Weight?

There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More

How To Lose Weight Without Losing Your Mind!

Ah the ever present battle to lose those unwanted pounds.... Read More

The R Factors - Your Answer For Getting To The Perfect Body For Fitness And Health

Building a Perfect Body for Body Perfect Fitness and Health... Read More

Rapid Weight Loss Tips - Lose Weight with the South Beach Diet

It's the American Dream: "If I could just lose a... Read More

Gastric Bypass Surgery - Weighing The Risks of Obesity Weight Loss Surgery

RISING POPULARITYGastric bypass surgery has become a popular surgical procedure... Read More

Pushing Gastric Bypass: When to Talk, When to Keep Quiet

Sharing our bariatric stories is as personal decision as electing... Read More

QuickTips for Healthy Weight Loss

More than any other time in history, people are all... Read More

7 Ways to Stop Nighttime Snacking in Front of the TV

Stop Being Influenced by Food Ads on TVThere is much... Read More

What Cows Know About Weight Loss That We Have Forgotten

I want to talk to you about cows and what... Read More

Getting Enough Sleep at Night May Just Help You Lose Weight

Eating the right foods and exercising regularly have been the... Read More

Healthy Recipes for Low Carb Success

Using healthy low carb recipes are an important part of... Read More

Weight Loss During Holidays: What to Do With Leftovers?

If I Want to Lose Weight, What Can I Do... Read More

How Does Phentermine Work? Learn Pros & Cons Of Phentermine For Weight Loss

Phentermine, like many other prescription drugs, works with chemicals called... Read More

Weight Loss Fads that Dont Work

No matter what the reason, successful weight loss and healthy... Read More

Diet and Exercise Evolution: Adaptation (part I) -- Theory

Adaptation is the most important concept I teach. The human... Read More

5 Easy Weight Loss Tips You Can Use Right Now

Sometimes, just the thought of starting on a diet and... Read More

For Effective Weight Loss - Curb Hunger And Avoid The Binge

Curb Hunger and Avoid The Costly BingeEveryone's been there -... Read More

How Did I Get So FAT!

"I never saw it coming, how did I get so... Read More

Weight Loss Efficiency ? 10 Ways To Make The Most Out Of Your Gym Workout!

My name is Greg Ryan. I am a high profile... Read More

Lost Weight with Gastric Bypass? Hints for Great After Pictures

I clearly remember how much I loathed having my picture... Read More

Weight Loss for Life ? How to Overcome Speed Bumps!

Yesterday evening my computer hard drive crashed. Resulting in the... Read More

Revolutionary, Safe, and Clinically Proven Natural Weight Loss

America is in a health care crisis. More than 60... Read More

A Soda a Day: How is it Affecting Your Weight?

Many people limit themselves to one soda a day especially... Read More

Weight Loss Proteins -- The Casein & Whey Protein Debate

The weight loss protein debate centers around the effectiveness of... Read More

A Warning of the Complications of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery involves stapling the stomach to make it... Read More

The Lies You May Have Been Told About Ephedra, and How They May End Up Improving Your Life

Losing Weight quickly and easily has become one of the... Read More

The 7 Phases of Change

Lose The Weight For Good With The Seven Phases of... Read More

The Health Effects of Being Overweight

Both men and women around the world are becoming fatter... Read More

Have You Given Up on Weight Loss?

Have You Given Up on Weight Loss? by Greg Landry,... Read More

When Cellulite Attacks!

Cellulite is a recent addition to the English language. In... Read More