We’re seeing a positive trend here at Prime Surgicare — the families of our weight loss surgery clients are losing weight right along with the patient!
This morning in our Freehold office, our patient, a full-time working mother who has lost 75 pounds in seven months after gastric bypass, shared a remarkable story about her family.
Her husband, who shops and prepares meals during the week, has lost 30 pounds by just getting rid of the “empty calories” and stocking up on protein, fruits and vegetables.
Their teenage children pushed back initially, but love their new “younger-looking” parents and even keep an eye on what’s served to make sure it’s “all the right stuff for Mom.”
Obesity Often Affects Families
One in three families is dealing with obesity here in the U.S. and children are no exception.
Most of us know the various reasons why this has happened, but the bigger question is how can you get your family on board to living a healthier lifestyle before and after your bariatric surgery.
Here are three starting points:
1. If It’s Not There, They Won’t Eat It
Your family loves you. They want you to lose weight, be healthier and live longer. You might be surprised how little pushback you get when you stop buying the Fritos, ice cream and empty carbs.
It’s the out of sight, out of mind concept… and it works.
2. Re-introduce Proper Portion Sizes to Give Everyone More Energy, Fewer Calories
Food portions in the U.S. often stem from what we are served in restaurants. The more food you get for your dollar, the more likely you are to come back, right?
At home, slowly begin to work your way back to an appropriate portion size for your family — one piece of grilled or baked protein about the size of the palm of your hand (fish can go as large as your whole hand), with a heaping filler of fresh salad and steaming vegetables.
After you and your family finishes a properly portioned meal, you don’t have to retire to the couch to recover — you can take a walk instead. In turn, you’ll feel better and sleep better too.
3. Cooking from Scratch is Better
Even if you have to cook meals over the weekend and freeze them, preparing your own food cuts calories and saves money. Portion it right away and you won’t have to worry about overeating. And you’ll cut down on your prep time.
Talk with our Prime Surgicare bariatric dietitian for recommended recipes and sites that offer delicious, filling and low-calorie menus. If you need meal-planning and recipe ideas and inspiration, visit our Nutrition Corner, with help articles authored by our chief nutritionist, Lori Skurbe.
Weight Loss Surgery – Making the Family Stronger and Healthier
Change is a tricky dynamic in families. While we all love the routine of daily life, when it comes to the health and wellness of the family, sometimes things need to change — for the better.
When it does, everyone wins.
About Dr. Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS
Dr. Seun is a top NJ bariatric surgeon and the medical director at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold serving Monmouth and Ocean counties. He is board-certified, Columbia and Yale University fellowship-trained in advanced laparoscopic, bariatric and general surgery.
To learn more, visit his YouTube channel or call Prime Surgicare at (732)-982-2002.