Considering the life altering experience of Weight Loss Surgery?
Keys to a successful surgical weight loss program:
Bariatric Coordinators
Two of the greatest assets in our bariatric surgery center are our nurse coordinators. These highly trained professionals
are experts in managing bariatric surgery patients. Their enthusiasm and energy will inspire you throughout your weight loss process, and they will be your direct
contacts to our program and its various support services. All of our Nurse Coordinators are committed to helping you achieve your goals as rapidly and as safely as
possible.
Support Groups
All of our patients are encouraged to participate in our support groups. These meetings are offered by West Jefferson Medical Center and are conducted by members
of our bariatric surgery center team including coordinators, nutritionists and dieticians, exercise trainers, physical therapists, counselors, and others.
Our coordinators will be happy to provide you with details concerning time and location of meetings.
Mental Health
Mental health services are available to each patient based upon physician assessment, patient history and insurance requirements. A referral can be made by the surgeon pre-operatively and or post-operatively
A list of psychologists and contact information will be provided by the surgeon.
Call the West Jefferson Medical Center Behavioral Medicine Center at (504) 349-2440
Bariatric Support Groups
Gastric Bypass Support Group – Free support group hosted by the West Jeff Fitness Center – Marrero location.
Second (2nd) Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. Call (504) 348-0055 for more information.
Lap-Band Support Group – Free support group hosted by the West Jeff Fitness Center – Marrero location.
Fourth(4th) Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. Call (504) 348-0055 for more information.
Weigh-In Clinics
Here at SCLA we have found that the key to successful weight loss is frequent follow up care for weight monitoring and nutritional education. To assist our patients in achieving their goal we now offer "weigh in” clinics. The weigh in clinics are held on specific Mondays and Fridays throughout each month. No appointment is necessary. During the weigh in clinic you will meet with the bariatric coordinator, weigh in and review your food journal. You will discuss food choices, food densities, as well as offer tips to maximize the use of the band. These clinics are strongly encouraged and play a major role in successful weight loss. Join us for a weigh in clinic and let us help you reach your goals to a new healthy you.
Weigh-In Clinic Schedule
Nutritional Services
Our program includes the availability of nutritional counseling and support group meetings. Registered dieticians trained in weight management are dedicated to
assisting you in learning more about proper diet habits before and after your surgery. In addition, our coordinators are very knowledgeable about specific
nutritional and dietary supplements which have been proven to speed your weight loss while maintaining properly balanced nutrition. Many of these products are
available through our office at discounted prices.
Nutritional Counselling
After a referral from a surgeon, a pre-operative and post-operative nutritional assessment is performed by a Registered Dietitian who will develop a personalized pre-op and post-op weight
loss plan. The dietitian will educate about the lifestyle and dietary changes necessary after surgery for success.
Call the West Jeff Fitness Center - Marrero, 1121 Medical Center Blvd Marrero , LA., (504)348-0055 or the West Jeff Fitness Center Oakwood, 175 Hector Ave Terrytown, LA (504)349-6908 for more information.
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Nutrition Fundamentals
Eating is an essential part of life and plays a role in our social, physical and mental well-being. Yet many people pay little attention to nutrition and don't
understand the basic building blocks of food. All food is comprised of calories from protein, carbohydrates, fats, or a combination of these elements.
Water doesn't supply energy in the form of calories, but it is absolutely vital to the human body. Food also supplies essential vitamins and minerals
in varying amounts.
To understand how what you eat affects your body, you need to become familiar with the basic fundamentals of nutrition:
Calories
A calorie is a unit of energy present in all food, including fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Fats contain nine calories per gram, while carbohydrates
and proteins contain four calories per gram.
Protein
Proteins are the essential building blocks of life - every cell in the body contains protein! These cells make up your skin, bones, muscle, organ issue and
blood. Protein is essential to prevent malnutrition, and the consumption of protein results in very little insulin release. (Insulin
regulates blood sugar and excess insulin has been known to lead to diabetes.)
Adequate protein intake following your surgery is key to preventing malnutrition. Lean sources of protein include low-fat cheeses, low-fat yogurt,
eggs, poultry, lean meats, fish, tofu, and beans/legumes.
Fats
Fats when eaten in moderation are important for growth, development, and absorption of fat soluble vitamins. Some dietary fats are more beneficial than others.
Mono-unsaturated fats are 'healthy' fats which are good for your heart and have a positive affect on blood cholesterol levels. Sources of healthy fats include olive oil,
canola oil and peanut oil. Polyunsaturated fats are needed in small amounts. Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids, found in fish, oils and nuts are two types
of polyunsaturated fats that are essential to your body. They are needed to make hormones and they also have a positive affect on blood cholesterol levels.
'Unhealthy' saturated fats come from butter, lards, meat fats, full-fat dairy products, and coconut oil. These foods have a negative affect on blood cholesterol.
Trans fats are another type of 'unhealthy' fat which are found in some margarine, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and any processed food made with partially
hydrogenated oils. Because fat is energy dense, or has a high amount of calories, all fats need to be eaten in moderation.
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Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are a group of sugars attached together as a chain. Carbohydrates supply energy to the body but when consumed in excess, they are stored as
fat. There are two main types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates cause a sharp rise in insulin production. This can lead to
insulin resistance, which has been shown to contribute to diabetes. They are easily digested, causing food to empty from the stomach quickly and lead to
an increased feeling of hunger soon after they are eaten. Simple carbohydrates include fruit juice, sugar, and processed or enriched white grains.
Complex carbohydrates lead to less insulin production and contain fiber, an essential part of a healthy diet. They require more work for the body to
break down, causing a longer-lasting feeling of satiety, or fullness. Examples of complex carbohydrates include high-fiber whole wheat grain products,
beans, vegetables, and fruits.
Water
Water is key to all of your body's functions. Your body weight is 55-75% water - including 70% of your brain, 82% of your blood and 90% of your lungs.
However, you lose water daily from perspiration, exhalation, urine, and feces. That's why it's essential to consume a minimum of 64 ounces of water daily
to prevent dehydration. You need even more than this amount during hot summer months and during physical activity.
Your body cannot survive for more than five days without water, but dehydration sets in much more quickly. Caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea and
alcoholic beverage can cause dehydration rapidly and should be avoided. Symptoms of dehydration include weakness, lethargy, difficulty focusing, dizziness,
and headache. Follow the water guidelines daily, since it's very difficult to make up for a water deficit once dehydration has begun.
Carry a water bottle with you wherever you go and create a plan to help meet your daily water goal. Slow, consistent sips of water are best, equaling
about eight ounces per hour. Remember the 30-20-30 rule:
- Stop drinking 30 minutes before a meal
- Take no longer than 20 minutes to finish your meal
- Do not start drinking again for 30 minutes after a meal
Gastric Bypass patients:
Drinking with meals will not allow you to get enough nourishment from your foods, because your stomach will fill up with water and food and you will not be
able to eat enough. It can also wash food through your stomach pouch too quickly, which increases your risk of dumping syndrome, and allows you to eat more.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band patients: Drinking with meals will not allow food to stay in the upper- banded part of your stomach.
It will wash the food through to the lower part of your stomach, which will allow you to eat more, and feel hungry quickly.
Vitamins
Vitamins are present in many different types of food but should be supplemented during any period of weight loss, since food intake is reduced.
After gastric bypass surgery your body's ability to absorb vitamins and minerals is decreased. Vitamin/mineral supplements are essential for your health.
Gastric Bypass patient's vitamin requirements:
- Multi-vitamins with minerals (1 serving every day)
- Calcium (1,000-1,200 mg daily of calcium citrate)
- Iron (18 mg per day for men and non-menstruating women; 36 mg per day for menstruating women)
- B Complex (25-50mg serving per day)
- Sublingual Vitamin B-12 (1,000 mcg under the tongue once per week)
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band vitamin requirements:
- Multi-vitamin with minerals (1 serving every day)
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West Jefferson Medical Center has full service fitness centers in two locations which are available for use by our bariatric surgery patients. These state of the art facilities are under the leadership and management of Mr. Tim Bracey, senior vice president of WJMC. Each facility is fully staffed by trained, certified exercise and fitness experts who are well qualified to maximize your weightloss and recondition your body.
Fitness and Conditioning:
Patients are able to take advantage of the many benefits of the West Jeff Fitness Center, including an individual Assessment, Orientation and Personalized Exercise Plan designed for weight loss and muscle tone.
This benefit is available upon referral from the surgeon pre-operatively and/ or post- operatively at the West Jeff Fitness Center - Marrero, 1121 Medical Center Blvd Marrero, LA. oor the West Jeff Fitness Center – Oakwood, 175 Hector Ave Terrytown, LA. Call 348-0055 or 349-6908
Physical/Occupational Therapy:
Outpatient rehabilitation services are offered to patients pre-operatively and/or post-operatively upon referral from the surgeon based on physical assessment, medical history of orthopedic disorders or inability to participate in a structured exercise regimen.
The Rehab Connection @ Marrero is located at 4519 Westbank Expressway in Marrero, LA. The Rehab Connection @ Oakwood is located at 175 Hector Ave, Terrytown, LA. Call 349-6140 or 349-6250 for more information.
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Bariatric Coordinators
Support Groups
Weigh-In Clinics
Nutritional Services
Nutrition Fundamentals
Fitness
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