Andre Cramblit: A journey continues after weight loss surgery

One of the most common reasons for the weight loss surgery (WLS) not being very effective is either overestimating the amount of exercise you get or underestimating the number of calories you consume. Either of these will be a sure sabotage to the benefits from the surgery (which must be maximized in the first year before your stomach stretches). This can be done either intentionally or unintentionally. I would suggest starting an exercise and eating journal. Keep these meticulously and be sure to examine the results objectively. Your doctor will want to see these as well.

Warning: Do not start or increase an exercise routine without consulting your personal weight loss doctor. Exercise is one major key to successful WLS. Walking is by far the easiest exercise in the initial stages of weight loss especially for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. I was off of my asthma medications and apnea machine within two months. Secondly you can add some basic weights to your routine. As you may have heard or read, the more muscle mass you have on your body the more calories you burn (even in a resting and sleeping state).

Another common mistake or misconception is that once you have had the surgery your issues with food are behind you once and for all. If you had a problematic relationship with food (comfort eating, binge and purge or subconscious overeating) before you had the surgery you will, most likely, still have those problems after you are out of the hospital. People oftentimes do not seek the professional help (before or after the surgery) they need to fundamentally change their relationship with food as a crutch, coping mechanism or drug of choice in their life. Both Weight Loss Support Groups and Overeaters Anonymous can be invaluable sources of information, ideas and encouragement.