Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, is a final resort for obese people who have long struggled to lose weight, but all their efforts have gone in vain. This procedure helps you reduce excess fat from your body, thus saving you from further weight gain and other related health conditions. While many people see bariatric surgery as an ultimate solution to their weight loss journey, it is crucial to mention that your journey doesn’t end here. A surgery is simply a milestone, and you are required to make genuine efforts to maintain your weight after it.
Your doctor and his team will give you a list of instructions to follow for sustainable results of the surgery, and you must stick to them. Here are five daily habits that you must follow to maintain weight after bariatric surgery.
Changes in Eating Habits
One of the most obvious changes that doctors will suggest after the surgery is in your eating habits. After the procedure, eating will be an entirely different experience. As bariatric surgery reduces the size of your stomach, you won’t be able to consume so much food. That said, this restriction alone will not help you control weight after the surgery. You should make healthy eating choices.
- Pay attention to what you eat and how much you eat.
- Instead of eating a full portion of food in one sitting, your doctor will advise you to consume small portions in gaps. It will keep you full and control binge eating.
- The doctor will advise you to limit sugary foods, carbonated drinks, extremely oily foods, and all foods with high carbs.
- If you are not familiar with the foods suggested to you, introduce yourself to new foods one by one instead of including everything at once in your diet.
Focus on Protein
After bariatric surgery, your sole focus should be on eating more protein. The doctor will also instruct you to maintain a low-fat diet involving healthy fats. You can include food items like fish, meat, beans, legumes, and a few dairy products. The dietician from the doctor’s team will suggest that you start with leaner food options first and then switch to other varieties.
At each point, you must follow the instructions of your doctor. Initially, they will put you on a liquid diet, and after each week, they will change the diet to pureed foods, soft foods, and normal foods. Once you start eating solid foods, introduce more protein-focused meals such as soft turkey, fish, tofu, and soft chicken.
Stay Hydrated
Never underestimate the power of hydration after bariatric surgery. Your stomach may feel full after a few servings. However, when it comes to drinking water, you must not compromise and include plenty of water intake to keep yourself hydrated.
Drink more water than usual to help your body flush out waste and toxins during the rapid weight loss phase. Drinking water keeps you fuller for a long time, thus helping you eat less frequently and stick to your scheduled meals.
Stay Physically Active
While diet plays a crucial role after bariatric surgery, you might not be able to maintain the desired weight when you don’t pair your diet with exercise. It not only helps you feel comfortable, but also enables the body to burn more fat efficiently.
Exercise is one of the best things to lift your mood. According to research, working out regularly releases happy hormones, thus keeping stress or frustration away. Indulging in any kind of exercise after surgery makes your body flexible and builds muscles and strength. Start with short walks and slowly introduce other forms of exercise, such as yoga, stretching, and aerobics, to your routine. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to achieve the best results.
Get Mental Health Support
Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure. It means that apart from physical change in your body, this surgery also has an impact on your health. While some people adapt to these changes rapidly, it might be challenging for others to sail through these changes. In such a situation, joining a mental health and support group works the best.
Many hospitals and fitness centers run support groups for bariatric patients where you can share your experience with people who understand your journey. It provides you with motivation and encouragement. You can also work with a counsellor or therapist to address emotional eating habits. Support groups offer the best coping strategies for your lifestyle changes, and you must attend these sessions to get used to your new lifestyle.
Takeaway
Bariatric surgery is one of the achievements of your weight loss journey and not the ultimate end. After your surgery, it is crucial to maintain the results. This procedure is not a magic wand, but a tool or a weight-loss device that helps you lose weight. Maintaining the results of the surgery comes down to the lifestyle changes you are ready to adopt. Make sure you incorporate the above-listed daily habits for fitness in the long run.