EATING: Successful patients ate three small, well-balanced meals and two – three snacks per day. Included 3 servings each of protein, vegetables, one serving fruit, two servings bread/starches and two servings sweets.   They do not drink during meals or within 30 minutes after a meal.

DRINKING: Successful patients drank water and did not drink carbonated beverages. On the average, patients drank 40-64 oz of water per day, 74% do not drink alcoholic beverages, 55% do not drink juices or sweetened beverages.  Do not drink your calories!

VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS: Successful patients took daily multiple vitamins, calcium and iron if needed. 39% continued to take supplemental iron.  Get labs done at least annually!

SLEEPING: Successful patients slept 7 hours per night on the average. 76% rated their personal energy as being average or high.

EXERCISING: Successful patients exercised regularly to maintain their weight.  Average was 4 x a week for at least 40 mins. Patients reported exercise as a key factor in their ability to maintain their weight.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: Successful patients took personal responsibility for staying in control. 69% weighed themselves at least weekly. General feeling that maintaining their weight was up to them, and surgery was only a tool they used to reach and maintain a healthy weight. By weighing often and allowing themselves only a few pounds of leeway, patients stayed in control.

NOT SUCCESSFUL: In those patients surveyed who were not classified as successful, an absence of at least one or more of the six successful habits was found. The most common was lack of exercise, poorly balanced meals, constant grazing and snacking, and drinking carbonated beverages. In the entire number of patients surveyed, including those who have gained back part of their weight, 97% of patients viewed their gastric bypass as a success. The first postoperative year is a critical time that MUST be dedicated to changing old behavior and forming new lifelong habits. By identifying these six common habits of the most successful long-term gastric bypass patients, the doctors established specific guidelines for new patients to implement.