Dr. Cynthia Alexander, in her book, The Emotional First Aid Kit; she reminds patients that weight loss surgery consists of two entirely separate components: The surgery itself, and the lifestyle changes.
She suggests six things patients might do pre-operatively to address lifestyle changes:
- Prepare your environment.
- Prepare your Support System
- Emphasize activity instead of food
- Begin to learn to structure your eating habits
- Control emotional and recreational eating
- Become more active.
By embarking on this journey before surgery, patients avoid the outdated way to thinking; waiting until after the surgery to start lifestyle changes. Alexander believes healthy habits start prior to surgery.
Reference:
Matrix Medical Communications, Bariatric Times. Volume 4, Number 5, June 2007
Jacques, Jacqueline, ND, Protein Basics Bariatric Times, Matrix Medical Communication, Volume 4, Number 4, May 2007.
(Information from WHMC Gastric Bypass Nutritional Guidelines Handbook)
