Deciding to have bariatric surgery is a huge decision that requires motivation, desire, and devotion to a forever lifestyle change. The doctor will make sure that you are as healthy as possible before surgery. Most of your checklist involves being mentally prepared for surgery.
Bariatric surgery is not one specific procedure but may refer to multiple surgical options, all intended to reduce the stomach’s size, thus decreasing the amount of food you can eat at a meal. None of these procedures are guaranteed long-term success. You have some element of responsibility to help your bariatric surgery be successful. Bariatric surgical options may be one of the four. Your doctor decides which procedure is best for you.
- Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band
- Roux-en Y Gastric Bypass
- Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch
Doctors recommend that you have realistic expectations after your surgery. You will not awaken to a new body; this takes time to develop. Surgery is not a quick or immediate answer to obesity. It is vital to address any food addiction issues before you have your surgery. Never compare your results with someone else because everyone reacts differently to surgery, medications, and effects. Your habits and lifestyle are specific to you and no one else.
It is realistic to expect no results for about six months. You will start to see small results after about six weeks. Then, gradually over the course of at least one year, you will begin to notice a more significant difference. Your surgery cannot find success by itself. It would be best if you watched what you ate and plan to exercise every day.
Do not go through bariatric surgery alone, and be sure to have a robust support system that helps work with you and the long-term and realistic goals for weight loss. You can get ideal support from the following.
- Watching online seminars
- By joining a support group
- Contact resources to help you stay healthy and within your ideal body weight range
- Work with a dietary professional such as a medical weight loss program or a dietitian.
Devise an appropriate exercise program. Exercise helps manage blood sugar, lowers the risk for heart disease, burns calories, controls blood sugar levels, increases focus, reduces the risk for dementia, improves sleep, mood, and behaviors. Be sure to keep a positive attitude about losing weight and answer the need for help with depression should this be an issue.
Limit or avoid alcohol consumption because alcohol contains many calories. Avoid smoking speak with the doctor about a plan to stop.
Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
There are many benefits to having this surgery at such as,
- It improves your cardiovascular health
- Improves type II diabetes
- Improves blood pressure
- Lowers the risk for complications due to pregnancy, cancer, gallbladder disease, thyroid issues
- Increase fertility
- Eliminates sleep apnea
- Decreases depressions signs and symptoms
Bariatric surgery is the beginning of a new life. You can never let your guard down, and you must be forever mindful of your recent changes and all the benefits, and we are here to help and support your motivation for weight loss.
Our bariatric department at North West Texas Medical Center gives the following tips for you to follow for a successful post-bariatric surgery. If you have a deep desire to succeed in your weight loss endeavors, NTMC is here to help you succeed.
Success for any bariatric surgery depends on whether you follow some simple tips after surgery and make you successful lifestyle changes forever. Some of these changes include but are not limited to the following.
- Create a meal planning process by preparing lunches the night before and keeping healthy snacks with you at all times. Having healthy food options with you and prepared ahead of your day helps you to avoid sudden and unplanned binge-eating the wrong food choices.
- Please pay attention to what you are eating, how it tastes, and how it chews.
- When eating get in the habit of taking small bites of food at a time. Put your fork down while you are chewing your food. Cut meats up one piece at a time and after you eat the one-piece, cut up one more. Eat slowly.
- Chew bites of food well, about twenty times before swallowing the food. Be aware of how your stomach feels. If you feel full, stop eating. Never eat until your stomach hurts. Rule of thumb is to leave the dinner table a bit hungry.
- When you have eaten at least half of your meal, put your fork down and relax, paying attention to how your stomach feels.
- Be mindful of the portions of food you prepare. Measure out the amount of food you think will satisfy your hunger. You can never eat the quantities of food you ate before bariatric surgery because your stomach is smaller and holds less food. Never risk stretching your stomach back to where it was before surgery.
- Learn to read food labels when grocery shopping and know what is in the foods you buy. Look for hidden ingredients like sugar, fat, and salt. For example, sugar has many names such as agave, beet sugar, cane sugar, carob syrup, cane juice, and more.
- Be sure to keep hydrated. Water tends to fill your stomach up, eliminating possible hunger. Sometimes you may think you are hungry, but in actuality, you are thirsty. The rule of thumb is to drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water every day. Adequate hydration keeps your blood pressure, body temperature, and kidney function within normal limits and is excellent for hair, skin, and nails. Check with your doctor first to make sure you have no diagnosis that limits your water intake.
- Eat plenty of protein. Protein helps the body heal and prevents muscle mass loss after surgery when you are not as active. Protein gives you energy. Getting insufficient protein causes you to feel fatigued and tired.
- Develop an exercise plan appropriate for your age, ability, and taste.
- Find positive ways to get rid of excess stress by finding activities that you enjoy doing.
- Learn to take personal responsibility and be accountable for bad habits and avoid these habits.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations for supplements and vitamins after surgery.
Are You Ready to Schedule Your Bariatric Surgery in the North Texas Area?
If you need to schedule weight loss surgery in Texas, contact the North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville, Texas, a level four trauma center serving the community of Gainesville and surrounding areas. Our bariatric center is state-of-the-art. Thinking about bariatric surgery, give us a call today at 940-665-1751 or stop by for a visit.