Monday Morning Musings...........

A few quick thoughts:

Each and every day, yes even on weekends and other presumably “down time,” I am meeting people, talking to people, and discussing and learning about weight loss.  Everyone has a story, a question, a comment and I learn from them all.

Especially with regard to surgery and behavior there are some common themes that warrant brief comment.

The “rules” are easy to state and presumably simple to understand.  The real challenge is in their application and adherence.  Eat fruits, vegetables, and protein.  Seems pretty straight forward.  I can’t tell you how many questions I get about that.  “But how much?” or “which ones?” or “how often?”  The answer of course is that it doesn’t matter!  Just follow the rule.  Don’t over think it.  Don’t try to subvert it.  Don’t look for any hidden meaning.  Acknowledge and accept that pizza, pasta, ice cream, and alcohol are NOT fruit, vegetable, or protein and never will be.  Don’t eat them!

Eat when you are hungry and drink when you are thirsty.  Hmm…   Seems like it should be easy.  “But what if I don’t know when I am?  Well then figure it out.  It is a learning process.  You need to “unlearn” the bad behaviors and learn the newer better ones.  We don’t eat because other people are eating or because the “game is on” or because it looks really tasty.  We eat because we are HUNGRY and not for any other reason.  We drink because we are thirsty and for NO other reason.  “But how much should I have?” “Please tell many how many ounces?”  I will NOT.  Everyone is different and each of us has different needs at different times.  We can eat 5 oz of chicken one day and none the next. We can eat scrambled eggs on Monday but not on Wednesday.  Salad works at lunch but not at dinner.  You need to be flexible and stay true to the “BIG PICTURE” directive to eat ONLY if you are hungry and then ONLY till you are satisfied.  Satisfied and Full are NOT the same thing.  If you are ONLY eating fruits, vegetables, and proteins and they are prepared properly:  fresh and raw, or baked, broiled, steamed, sautéed, or grilled then I don’t care how much you eat.

During the first 2 weeks after surgery, the BIG PICTURE goal is to stay healthy and hydrated.

During the first 2 weeks after surgery you do NOT need your vitamins including B12, Calcium, and daily multiple.  You do NOT need to worry about protein goals.  That comes later.  2 months or 3 months after  surgery,  when you are consistently eating solid foods, we can focus on your daily protein and vitamin goals but we do not need to during the first 2 weeks.

Apple juice, cranberry juice, and Gatorade are not typically part of the “life-long” diet but during the first 2 weeks they are a great way to stay hydrated and provide a little boost of energy especially if you are struggling with thicker liquids and soft solids.

You may drink right up until your first bite of solids and in fact, it is often helpful to do so.  After your first bite of solids, wait at least 30 minutes before drinking.  Many folks need to wait as many as 60 minutes to feel satisfied and comfortable.

Diabetics MUST strictly monitor their blood sugars and adjust their medications accordingly with help of course from me, their Primary, and their Endocrinologist.

Anyone taking DIURETICS-water pills or medication for high blood pressure needs to do so cautiously and in consultation with me.

NO alcohol or medication like MOTRIN, ADVIL, IBUPROFEN for at least 6 weeks after surgery.

NO pregnancy for 12 months after surgery.

NO SMOKING EVER after weight loss surgery.

Some degree of constipation is normal.  You eat less-you go less.  Over the counter laxatives-Metamucil, Fibercon, Dulcolax, Senokot, Mineral Oil, Prune Juice, Colace, etc……are all fine.  If you feel you need something-take something.

Email is NEVER for health, safety, or welfare issues.  That is what the phone is for.

If you think you are having a life threatening emergency, call an ambulance and get to a hospital, any hospital.

If you think your issue is related to your surgery and is NOT life threatening, CALL ME.  Most hospitals DO NOT do weight loss surgery or care for weight loss surgery patients and problems.  Your evaluation and treatment may well be delayed and or even be inadequate or inappropriate or excessive and expensive when provided by clinicians lacking weight loss surgery experience.  KEEP ME IN THE LOOP.  I operated on you and you are my responsibility.

Rapid weight loss is exciting and WORTHLESS.  Sustained weight loss is our goal.  Surgery is done to provide a tool for LIFELONG weight control, health, and happiness. 

NOTHING CHANGES IF NOTHING CHANGES

Put another way and quoting Tony Robbins “Change occurs when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.”

NO PAIN—NO GAIN

Change can be hard.  Change can be painful.  Change can take time. 

CHANGE IS WORTH IT!  CHANGE IS THE PATH FORWARD.  Leave unproductive and unhappy and unhealthy behavior behind and DO NOT LOOK BACK.

I hope that was helpful.  It is Monday and I wanted to start the week “right” and help others to do the same.  The Patriots are on their way to their 7^th Super Bowl in 17 years.  They go almost EVERY other year.  Is there a better example of “sustained excellence?”  I don’t think so.  How do they do it?  They “DO THEIR JOB” each and every day to the best of their ability.  They don’t tolerate excuses and they  live and work by the axiom that there is “NO I IN TEAM.”

Switching sports for a moment, Doc Rivers, the championship winning Celtic’s coach said “if you want to go fast—go alone but if you want to go far—go as a team.”  Here at SWLS you are part of a TEAM, part of a FAMILY.  Lean in to the circle and draw inspiration and support from it.

Each and every one of you is capable of great things, of reaching your goals, and of achieving health, happiness, and success.

What are you waiting for?  I hope nothing!

Adam