Summer is traditionally one of the busiest times for Healthier Weight as patients take advantage of the holiday period to fit in review consultations. Clinic days are my favourite days and I do look forward to seeing my patients. There is, however, one consult that makes me uneasy and that’s when patients requests to have some fluid removed from their gastric band before going on holiday.
If this is for a legitimate reason, i.e. they will be treking through the Amazon jungle a la Ed Stafford it’s a very sensible thing to do, but if it’s just because they want to “let go” or take advantage of all inclusive buffets it is such a bad, bad, idea. Overeating on holiday is one of the major contributors to weight gain over time. Putting on 7lbs each holiday for 10 years and you end up with five extra stones accumulated weight. “Watching your weight” has to be an every day habit just like cleaning your teeth or a 30 minute daily walk. Happy holidays!
Dr David Ashton
3rd September 2010
