After weight loss surgery, you’ll have to make some lifestyle changes. Deciding to undergo surgery is a big step, and if you don’t commit to a new way of eating and exercising, you might gain the weight back. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy and commit to your new lifestyle after weight loss surgery.
Committing to weight loss surgery is the first step in your weight loss journey. Bariatric surgery changes the way your stomach functions, but it won’t change the main biological processes behind gaining weight. Your chances of maintaining your weight loss and staying healthy after surgery are considerably increased by fully committing to significant lifestyle changes. It’s important to remember that weight loss surgery is but one aspect of weight loss – while it will help, it will not guarantee a slimmer figure in the future unless you also participate in the process and change your habits.
Changing Your Diet After Weight Loss Surgery
After bariatric surgery, you will be required to make some changes to your diet. For example, you will need to cut down on high-fat meats as well as starchy vegetables. You will also have to monitor your calories. This can be challenging but will make losing weight much easier. Changing your meals to incorporate lean meats, fresh fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats will go a long way in ensuring your body stays neat and trimmed after your surgery. You can find a selection of our favourite recipes here.
During the first week after weight loss surgery, you will be required to follow a low-fat and full-liquid diet. This will help you build a tolerance to solid foods. You can start eating protein shakes and milk products. After that, you will be allowed to eat soft foods and some grains. Then, after three to four weeks, you can start eating more solid foods with a pureed texture.
Exercise After Weight Loss Surgery
Exercising after weight loss surgery is an excellent way to help your body heal after the procedure. Most bariatric patients are given an exercise routine that is specific to their needs. These routines often include a mix of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Because patients should not engage in strenuous exercise right after the surgery, it is a good idea to start slowly. This is because your body will be recovering from the procedure and won’t be able to push itself very hard at the start.
Quitting Smoking Before Your Surgery
This is a big one. If you are planning to undergo bariatric surgery, you should stop smoking before your procedure. Smoking increases the risks of surgery, delays the healing process, and causes many other medical problems. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, strokes, and pneumonia. It also lowers the immune system’s ability to fight off infections. If you only do one thing to prepare yourself for surgery, make it quit cigarettes.
Follow-Up Care After Your Surgery
Follow-up care with Dr. Kevin Dolan after weight loss surgery is important to ensure that you maintain your results. We recommend consulting with a nutritionist to make sure you are getting the correct nutrients to aid in healing. You may also need to take iron or calcium supplements. You may also consider seeing a psychologist to help you deal with any psychological concerns you may have, such as how much you eat. You’ll also need to have blood tests to ensure that your body is getting enough nutrients.
Resuming Medication After Weight Loss Surgery
Before restarting your medications after weight loss surgery, you should consult your doctor to ensure that you’re taking the correct dosage and type. Your doctor can also recommend any changes to your medications, such as blood thinners and NSAIDs. Your dosage may need to be adjusted based on your new body weight.
How Can We Help?
We want all our clients to enjoy the results of their surgeries for the rest of their lives. We provide thorough and comprehensive guidance on lifestyle changes after surgery to ensure the best long-term outcomes for all our patients. Our weight loss surgery packages all include numerous follow-up consultations with Dr. Kevin Dolan, so we can keep a close eye on your progress and advise when necessary. We also have a Facebook-based support group where former patients can share information, tips, and general experiences about life after weight loss surgery.
For more information about our procedures, please see here.
To make an appointment, please call (08) 9246 2314, or use our online contact form.