Success with your band

Gastric Band Self-Assessment Checklist

Review this checklist before you schedule your next adjustment appointment. This will help you determine if you are safely maximizing your weight loss.

  • Am I eating a healthy balanced diet which includes protein at every meal? Or am I adding in sweets,
    higher carb foods, processed foods, or liquid calories?
  • Am I using good portion control, limiting the amount of food I eat to ½ to 1 ½ cups per meal? Or am
    I relying on the band to tell me when to stop?
  • Am I including high fiber food choices (vegetables and fruits)? Or do I eat five or more servings per
    day?
  • Do I eat a balanced diet (three meals) throughout the day? Or do I skip breakfast and eat more later in
    the day?
  • Do I plan my meals and snacks ahead of time allowing time to prepare? Or do I eat whatever’s at hand
    and convenient?
  • Do I get 30-60 minutes of exercise per day, including strengthening and aerobic exercises? Or is my
    exercise routine hit or miss?
  • Do I consistently follow Simple Rules for Success with Your Gastric Band? Or just the ones I want?

 

Simple Rules for Success with Your Gastric Band

  1. Eat only three small meals plus planned snacks per day ½ to 1½ cups per meal
  2. Do not eat between meals or planned snacks No grazing
  3. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly Eat for no more than 20-25 minutes; chew each bite 30 times
  4. Stop eating as soon as you begin to feel full
  5. Eat only high quality nutritious foods Proteins first, then vegies, then starch; stay away from refined sugars and
    processed foods
  6. Avoid fibrous food that could get stuck in at the band Consume recommended amounts of fiber daily, 25g women, 38g men
  7. Limit calories to no more than 1600 per day Bandsters’ typical intake is 1200 calories per day
  8. Practice mindful eating At mealtime, sit down and focus on the meal; no TV or reading. Focus on
    your food.
  9. Do not drink while eating Or for one full hour after eating
  10. Drink enough fluids during the day 64-100 ounces of non-caloric fluids between meals
  11. Do not drink carbonated beverages of any kind
  12. Exercise at least 30-60 minutes a day 10,000 steps a day and include strengthening exercises
  13. Join a weight-loss support group Weight Watchers, Overeaters Anonymous, Medifast, join a health club, get a
    Trainer. Check out the online Yahoo groups/forums: Bandsters, Smart Bandsters, Pacific Northwest bandster groups. Also bariatricpal.com.