Tag: weight loss surgery

Maintain Your Goals: A Guide to Healthy Holiday Recipes

Posted on November 15, 2022

Female feet on digital scales with a sign "omg!" surrounded by Christmas decorations, bottles, a glass of alcohol, and sweets.

The holiday season is full of fun, festivities, and feasting. It can be easy to treat yourself more than a few times during the many celebrations and accidentally get off track with your fitness goals. As you prepare for the holiday parties, Thanksgiving dinners, and family potlucks, consider learning how to make tasty meals that don’t sacrifice all your weight loss progress.

Our team at BMI Surgery discusses our favorite healthy holiday appetizers, side dishes, entrees, and desserts. Host a fantastic dinner party, or bring the fan-favorite dish, while still being health-conscious with these 4 recipes.

Holiday Appetizer: Sweet Potato Chips with Black Olive Tapenade

Swap your traditional cheese and cracker hors d’oeuvres for this easy and tasty recipe! Food Network’s sweet potato chips with olive tapenade only require 5 ingredients: sweet potatoes, olive oil, black olives, scallions, and tomatoes. With its satisfying crunch and delectable toppings, this appetizer is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

These holiday starters are so flavorful you won’t even notice the traditional cheese balls or deep-fried appetizers. Check out some of our other favorite holiday appetizers:

Cucumber Smoked Salmon Bites
Caprese Salad Kabobs

Holiday Side Dish: Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions

This recipe is a must-try if you’re craving green bean casserole but want a healthier alternative. The balsamic green beans with pearl onions from Southern Living are healthy but still flavorful. This recipe can feed a crowd, satisfying everyone’s savory yet sweet appetite. Pair this delicious side with turkey, ham, chicken, beef, and more for a carb-conscious holiday side dish. And best of all, it only takes 20 minutes to prepare!

Swap out your carb-heavy favorite for a lighter, health-conscious option. Check out some of our other favorite holiday side dishes:

Skillet Squash Blossom
Rosemary-Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Holiday Entree

Ditch the sodium-filled meats or bland health-conscious entrees with Food Network’s mushroom-stuffed pork tenderloin. This entree is less than 330 calories per serving and takes only forty-five minutes to cook. A bit of a twist on traditional pork tenderloin, the mushroom, garlic, and lemon zest adds another mouthwatering flavor to your holiday plate.

Enjoy a main course with more flavor than a traditional, health-conscious grilled chicken entree. Check out some of our other favorite holiday entrees:

Citrus-Roasted Salmon
Mom’s Tuna-Pasta Casserole

Holiday Dessert

Last but certainly not least is everyone’s favorite— dessert! For many of us, when the dessert tray comes around is when it’s hardest to stick to our goals. But with this recipe from Country Living, you won’t even feel like you’re missing out. This chocolate-cinnamon marble bread pairs perfectly with coffee and will satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. And this dessert is versatile, so you can use as much or as little sugar as you like.

If you like chocolate or you enjoy something more fruity, each of these calorie-conscious desserts offers something extra sweet. Check out some of our other favorite holiday desserts:

Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake
Lemon Icebox Bars

Maintain Your Healthy Lifestyle with BMI Surgery

With these tips and tricks, you can feel your best this holiday season. Try these recipes out at your next dinner party or potluck for a tasty meal without compromising your weight loss goals. If you want to learn more about maintaining your weight loss after surgery, our experts at BMI Surgery can provide knowledgeable advice, quality care, and exceptional results. Dr. Long and his staff are well-versed in weight loss maintenance and can help you reach your goals through quality care, minimally invasive procedures, and long-lasting results.

Achieve Your Dream Body for the Holiday Season

Proudly serving the Birmingham area, BMI Surgery specializes in various weight loss surgeries, including gastric sleeve, LAP-BAND, and more. Our team can help you achieve your dream body just in time for the holidays and help you maintain it. Call us at 205-858-1211 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today!

Can Your Stomach Stretch After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Posted on October 15, 2022

A female holding up a large pair of pants after weight loss surgery, illustrating that she’s lost weight.

Weight loss surgery has helped thousands of people achieve their goals, but it’s not a small commitment! You have to plan, take time off work, rest, and learn a new way of taking care of yourself & your health… So it’s totally normal to think, well, why go through this and invest my time & money if it’s not going to be effective?

Well, reader! In this blog, our team at BMI Surgery will answer all your questions about your stomach stretching and why it may happen so, you can feel confident as you work to achieve your weight loss goals.

What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery works by changing the structure of the stomach. The surgeon will reduce its size by about two-thirds, minimizing the quantity of food you can eat and the number of calories absorbed by your body.

The surgery is minimally invasive. Gastric sleeve, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is performed laparoscopically, which means smaller incisions and generally less recovery time compared to traditional surgery.

The FDA-approved procedure is effective and requires little downtime, so there’s no surprise it’s one of the most popular weight loss surgeries in US.

Will My Stomach Stretch After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Most often, your stomach will stretch after gastric sleeve surgery. But before you panic, it’s entirely normal for your stomach to expand a little after surgery. Our stomachs naturally stretch as we eat, which won’t change after a gastric sleeve procedure. After digestion, the stomach will contract to its original shape and size.

The problem may come if we overeat. Once your stomach is full, your body will alert you, so you will stop consuming food. But, if we overeat, the stomach will stretch to make room for the extra food. If this happens rarely, the stomach will still shrink after digestion. But if overeating happens often, the stomach can permanently stretch out, and the body can confuse fullness signals as hunger, which may lead to weight gain.

How Can I Avoid My Stomach Stretching After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

You can avoid stretching your stomach after gastric sleeve surgery in various ways. Most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself. If you overeat a meal or two, don’t be so discouraged that it ruins your efforts. Instead, acknowledge what happened, brainstorm ways to avoid it next time, and plan your next healthy meal.

Some of our tips to avoid a stretched stomach include:

Limit volume, not foods or food groups: If you restrict yourself from certain foods, like sweets or carbs, you may end up eating more on accident. Allow yourself to have your favorite foods in moderation.
Eat small snacks in between meals if you feel hungry.
Plan portioned, healthy meals in advance to help you stay on track, especially if you have a busy schedule.
Avoid drinking beverages during your meals. If you drink throughout your meal, you may fill up on fluids instead of nutritious foods. We recommend drinking before and after your meals, but not during.

Find Support & Expert Advice After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Don’t feel like you’re alone on your weight loss journey! We understand that it can be unsettling, knowing you could impact your stomach’s size. That’s why our team at BMI Surgery is dedicated to your overall well-being–from the beginning to the end of your weight loss journey. Our team of experts at BMI Surgery team has years of experience helping people achieve and maintain their weight loss goals.

Begin Your Weight Loss Journey at BMI Surgery in Birmingham, AL

Discover your weight loss surgery options at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery. With many years of experience, our team provides personalized and quality care to help you meet your goals. Call us at 205-850-1972 or contact us online to learn more about how to get started on your weight loss journey and improve your quality of life!

How Much Fiber Do You Need After Weight Loss Surgery?

Posted on October 15, 2022

Athletic girl with gym clothes eats salad at a table

Making the commitment to change your life with weight loss surgery is no easy feat. And after the surgery, you’ve worked hard to recover. A few simple lifestyle choices can make a real difference when maintaining your weight loss. Most importantly, following the proper diet is imperative for long-lasting results to avoid letting your hard work go to waste.

Feel confident about your new weight loss, and keep the pounds off for good by incorporating fiber into your diet with these tips and tricks from Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery.

What Is Fiber?

Fiber occurs naturally in plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, and nuts. The body can’t fully break down natural fiber, causing it to slow down digestion and absorb water. There are two types of dietary fiber, including soluble and insoluble fiber.

Soluble fibers dissolve in water and slow down the digestion process. Some common examples of foods high in soluble fiber include

Oatmeal
Beans
Sweet potatoes
Brussels sprouts
Blueberries
Avocado

On the other hand, insoluble fibers aren’t dissolved in water and help move food and waste through your GI tract. Some common examples of foods high in insoluble fiber include

Celery
Whole wheat bread
Cauliflower
Nuts
Potatoes

While soluble and insoluble fibers are absorbed and broken down differently by the body, they are both important to incorporate into your diet after weight loss surgery.

Why Is Fiber Important?

Incorporating fiber into your diet is crucial to feel full longer, slow digestion, and lower cholesterol levels. Since this nutrient takes much longer to digest compared to other foods, it can stabilize blood sugar levels and make you feel satisfied for longer. And fiber intake helps improve bowel regularity, which can keep your digestive system healthy and help those suffering from constipation.

How Much Fiber Do I Need After Weight Loss Surgery?

Most people need anywhere from 25-35 grams of fiber per day after weight loss surgery. You may need more or less depending on your gender, age, weight, and other genetic factors. Fiber is best absorbed in foods, so we recommend consuming foods that are naturally high in fiber, rather than fortified with fiber, which is overly processed.

If you cannot absorb enough fiber, supplements are available to help your body receive the nutrients it needs. We advise consulting a dietician or your weight loss specialist about specific numbers and recommendations for your body after weight loss surgery.

How Can I Add More Fiber to My Diet?

Slowly add fiber to your diet if you don’t typically consume enough. Too much fiber can cause abdominal discomfort and bloating since your digestive system isn’t used to it yet. Once you start adding fiber into your regime, drink water throughout the day to aid digestion. And opt to add fiber into your meals throughout the day, and not all in one sitting for optimal results.

Some tips for adding fiber to your diet include

Add chia, flax, or hemp seeds to shakes, oatmeal, or yogurt
Swap brown rice for white rice
Snack on crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery
Top desserts or oatmeal with berries
Opt for whole fruits instead of fruit juice

Customized Follow-Up Care

Fiber is essential for weight loss maintenance after bariatric surgery. It can help you absorb nutrients, feel full for longer, and aid in the removal of excess waste from the body. At Birmingham Minimally Invasive surgery, our specialists can provide customized dietary plans and follow-ups to ensure you get all the benefits from fiber consumption. From the beginning of your weight loss journey to the end, our BMI Surgery team can help you achieve and maintain your goals.

Contact BMI Surgery to Get Started on Your Weight Loss Journey

The caring group of professionals at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery will help you get started on your weight loss journey and stay with you every step along the way. Dr. Long and his team specialize in all types of bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve surgery, gastric bypass, and the LAP-BAND. Contact us online or give us a call to set up a consultation at 205-850-1973.

What is Dumping Syndrome? Signs, Symptoms, & Prevention

Posted on August 26, 2022

A woman holding her stomach in pain wearing an off-white blouse and blue jeans sitting on the couch.

Are you experiencing pain, bloating, fatigue, or nausea after eating? If you have recently undergone gastric surgery, you could be encountering dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome is a condition that can develop after gastric bypass surgery and occurs when food moves too quickly from the stomach to the intestines.

Don’t let your health dictate your social plans, energy levels, and your personal comfort. Find the relief you deserve by learning more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for dumping syndrome from the experts at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery.

What Is Dumping Syndrome?

When a person experiences it, food gets “dumped” into the small intestine without being digested, causing bloating, swelling, abdominal pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Usually, these symptoms can also be experienced in other areas of the body, including the feeling of light-headedness or tiredness after a meal. People with dumping syndrome can experience the symptoms anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours after eating.

Symptoms of Dumping Syndrome

This can be categorized into two types: early and late. Early syndrome happens 10 to 30 minutes after a meal, whereas late syndrome happens 1 to 3 hours after eating. Some common symptoms of dumping syndrome include:

Bloating
Swelling
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Facial flushing
Heart palpitations
Dizziness and fatigue
Diarrhea
An uncomfortable feeling of fullness (even after small portions)

Causes

To understand the causes of dumping syndrome, we need to understand how our digestive system works.

Your digestive tract will make and then release hormones that control how your digestive system functions. When food moves too quickly from the stomach to the intestines, your digestive tract will end up releasing more hormones than it should. Your body reacts by shifting fluid from your bloodstream into your small intestine. This shift of fluid, plus other substances released by your intestines in reaction to undigested food, causes the symptoms of dumping syndrome.

Home Remedies

So what can you do at home if you want to try and treat this condition? The first thing that you need to do is try and change what and how you eat. Some diet changes include:

Avoid liquids until at least 30 minutes after a meal
Lie down for 30 minutes after a meal to alleviate symptoms
Avoid foods high in simple carbohydrates
Increase your protein and fiber intake
Avoid dairy products
Avoid alcohol

It may be beneficial to eat 6 small meals per day, instead of the traditional 3 meals a day. Your doctor will recommend what specific foods you should avoid and any other steps you need to take to avoid dumping syndrome symptoms.

Post-Op Best Practices

If you have had an operation and want to try and limit your symptoms, do not attempt to just “power through” dumping syndrome symptoms. Instead, rest whenever you feel tired. Ample rest will allow your body to regulate its processes.

If you are able, daily walks may help alleviate feelings of bloating and puffiness. We also recommend you do not lift anything at all that may cause you to strain, such as a vacuum cleaner, child, bags of dog food, or a heavy briefcase.

Find Relief from Dumping Syndrome

You deserve to enjoy dinner with friends or breakfast with your family without having to worry about possible side effects. If you notice any symptoms of dumping syndrome, it’s important to contact a doctor. A medical professional will be able to analyze your unique symptoms and advise treatments to give you relief. Don’t let your health dictate your social plans, energy levels, and your personal comfort!

Treatment at BMI Surgery

If you are struggling with dumping syndrome, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Long and his team today. Proudly serving the Birmingham area, we specialize in all types of bariatric surgery and can help you with post-op recovery. Call us today at 205-850-1973 or contact us online to set up a consultation.

We look forward to helping you take back control of your health!

Weight Loss Surgery Insurance Requirements. Are You a Good Candidate?

Posted on April 11, 2017

If you are considering weight loss surgery, it is important to understand your insurance requirements. Most insurance companies will cover weight loss surgery if you meet certain criteria. The most common criteria include:

BMI Common Criteria:

A BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with a co-morbid condition such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or sleep apnea.
Documentation of participation in a medically supervised weight loss program for at least 3-6 months.
A letter from your primary care physician recommending surgery.
A consult and recommendation for a surgeon from a bariatric surgeon.
Non-smoking for at least 8 weeks prior to surgery.

Some insurance companies may have additional requirements, such as a longer medically supervised weight loss program or a psychological evaluation. It is important to check with your insurance company to see what their specific requirements are.

Private Pay:

If you are not able to get your weight loss surgery covered by insurance, you may be able to pay for it out of pocket. This is known as private pay. Private pay patients may not have to meet the same criteria as insurance patients. For example, they may not have to have a co-morbid condition or participate in a medically supervised weight loss program.

How to Get Started:

If you are interested in weight loss surgery, the first step is to talk to your primary care physician. They can help you determine if you meet the criteria for surgery and can refer you to a bariatric surgeon for a consultation.

The bariatric surgeon will evaluate your medical history and perform a physical exam. They will also discuss your goals for surgery and the risks and benefits of the different types of weight loss surgery.

If you decide to proceed with surgery, your bariatric surgeon will work with you to get your insurance approved. They will also provide you with pre-surgical instructions and support.

Weight loss surgery can be a life-changing experience. It can help you lose weight, improve your health, and boost your self-confidence. If you are considering weight loss surgery, it is important to do your research and understand your insurance requirements.