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After Weight Loss Surgery
Keys to recovering after weight loss surgery - the ordeal of going through the bariatric surgery itself is very taxing on the human body, but once the procedure is done, you need to keep in mind several lifestyle guidelines that will be given to you from your weight loss specialist to follow from now on.
Yes, it sounds very daunting to think that you must follow a lifestyle change for the rest of your life in terms of eating and exercise, but you made the hard decision that it took and the investment to go through with surgery. Here are some points to consider:
DRINKING
Don’t drink anything 30 minutes before or after your meals. Your stomach will not be large enough to hold both food and beverages! Also, when you drink you will have to get out of the GULPING habit. Sip your drinks slowly.
No carbonated drinks! They make you feel too full when you really aren’t. No to mention, these kind of drinks are trouble in terms of weight loss and overall good health. You are much better off carrying around a water bottle with you every day.
CHEWING YOUR FOOD
People often don’t spend a lot of time chewing but for the weight loss surgery patient it is indeed a vital thing to remember for your own good. Chewing your food thoroughly will keep your stomach from getting too full or even having blockages that can lead to vomiting and nausea.
VOLUME OF FOOD INTAKE
How much food you consume at each meal will be one of the biggest lifestyle changes for any bariatric patient to go through. In the first days in post-surgery, you will only be allowed to eat 1 ounce of food. After that, your stomach will adjust over the next 3 months, and you will be able to eat about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food at each meal.
BALANCED DIET
You are obviously going to be less food with your smaller stomach and one of the things you need to think about is the fact that you need to make the most of every bite of food that goes into your mouth in terms of nutrition. Every food must have outstanding nutritional value. Each food should be high quality in terms of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants.
VITAMINS
Your doctor will most likely suggest a multivitamin for you to take every day to increase your nutrient intake from fact that you have less food volume and less absorption by the stomach and intestines following surgery.
TYPES OF FOOD GROUPS
In the long-term diet of a patient after weight loss surgery, should be low fat, highly nutritious, less sugar, and high in protein.
Keys to After Weight Loss Surgery
Diet after bariatric surgery is a mine field. It is a known fact that only 80% of all bariatric patients are successful in losing their weight. The other 20% fall on their faces for one reason and usually one reason only… their lack of commitment to the post-operation dietary guidelines laid out by their bariatric doctor. It takes a great deal of discipline to be committed to a weight loss surgery diet and the radical lifestyle changes that are presented to the patient. Eating behaviors must change as well as exercise habits.
