There is a wealth of research indicating that those who focus on making changes to their lifestyle habits prior to weight loss surgery are the most successful at reaching their weight loss goals and maintaining their new healthy weight in the future. Much of what makes the difference here is education. Those who take the time to learn the ins and outs of living a healthy lifestyle prior to undergoing bariatric surgery are better prepared for the changes that come afterwards.
This idea holds true in just about all cases of weight loss, but it is especially important for those who are having weight loss surgery. Unlike a low-calorie diet that can be changed at any time, the change in gastric functioning after weight loss surgery procedures is difficult, and in some cases not possible to reverse, and ignoring the dietary advice of your bariatric surgeon could lead to health complications and weight gain.
Successful Weight Loss Surgery: What You Need to Know
Long-term success is possible with a strong weight loss education. Understanding why eating certain foods is beneficial, while eating other foods can be hurtful is incredibly helpful when managing your post-bariatric diet. Similarly, having this body of knowledge will assist you in making healthier choices on the go.
Education plays a big role outside of nutrition, as well. Weight loss surgery causes a series of changes to the body, some more subtle than others. There is a collection of potential side effects that you could face after a bariatric operation, including:
- Food becoming lodged in the stomach pouch
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Dehydration
- Wound infection
Knowing the potential side effects can help you identify them and thereby address them quickly, which will reduce and even potentially prevent health consequences.
Finally, understanding your physical limitations is crucial as your body heals. While exercise is a great tool in supporting weight management, only light exercise is permitted for the first few weeks after weight loss surgery and it is important that you do not attempt to push yourself too far, too fast.
Weight loss surgery provides one of the greatest opportunities at successful weight loss, but achieving your weight loss goal will take work, even after having a bariatric procedure. Weight loss surgery is a tool that can help you lose weight more quickly and effectively than diet and exercise alone. Losing weight safely and keeping that weight off long term requires a lifelong commitment to a new healthier lifestyle, complete with adaptation of healthier eating and exercise habits.
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