Bariatric surgery may seem at first like a simple solution for weight loss. In fact, the number of people who received this type of surgery increased significantly from 196,700 in 2015 to 262,893 in 2021. Sometimes, it seems like everyone can benefit from it.
But it’s important to recognize and to be prepared for how your life will change with this procedure, especially how you will have a different lifestyle post-treatment. This is the only way to safely and effectively use bariatric surgery for healthy weight loss.
Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions P.C. offers several bariatric surgery options, including the gastric sleeve and bypass. Our provider — Dr. Mikhail A. Botvinov — will help you through each step of the process, from choosing the best procedure to learning how to function safely and effectively in your new life post-surgery.
Bariatric surgery is a very effective treatment for those at an unhealthy weight. It is especially effective for those who are dealing with weight-related health problems already, such as Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and more.
But it’s important to recognize that you can’t simply return to doing everything you did before the surgery without consequences. For one, if you eat too much, too often, or you don’t eat the right things, you will gain the weight back. To maintain the weight loss created by the surgery, you must change your eating habits to reflect your new situation.
In some cases, the surgery itself makes it so you can’t eat the way you might’ve done in the past. For example, the gastric sleeve leaves your stomach with a smaller capacity for food intake. You won’t be able to eat as much as you once did, or you’ll become sick.
Finally, there are other ways your life will change after your surgery. You might feel differently about yourself. Some people feel better, while others may struggle with their new appearance.
All these changes can be significant, and you’ll need to adjust your lifestyle to manage them properly. This is why it’s so important to understand how bariatric surgery will change your life — and how to manage those changes healthily.
First, your diet will change. You’ll need to ingest only liquids for the first few weeks after your surgery. Soft foods come next, followed finally by solid foods. But even at this point, the way you eat will not be the same as before.
You’ll have to eat more slowly than you did in the past. This is because food that isn’t chewed properly can block the pipe between your stomach and intestines. Eating too fast can also cause pain and vomiting, so you’ll need to be careful to eat thoroughly and mindfully.
Another rule is to eat certain foods and to cut out others. Proteins, fruits, and vegetables are all important and should be eaten regularly, and you’ll want to avoid foods high in fat or calories. You’ll also need to drink lots of water and take supplements in some cases.
Your appearance will also change; while you know this, you might not be prepared for all it entails. You might be frustrated that certain feelings you have about yourself didn’t disappear with your excess weight. An essential lifestyle change at this point could be to begin therapy or to seek out a bariatric surgery support group. At the very least, make sure you have someone you can talk to who will support you as you get used to your new body.
But it won’t just be the weight loss. You’ll need to manage a new routine to continue healthy weight loss post-surgery. And you must ensure you have the proper support as you navigate your new lifestyle.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment at our Westwood, NJ, office, call 201-778-5344 or visit us online.
