Tips To Maintain Weight Even After Undergoing Bariatric Surgery
Being obese or overweight has become a major concern for millions of people all over the world — it also has a great negative impact on their self-esteem and overall health. Even though having access to a variety of weight loss options or methods, some people are resistant to healthy diets and exercise; obesity has become a way of life for them.
Well, bariatric surgeries, also called weight-loss surgeries, can help people like them and many others who want to lose weight, get rid of that stubborn body fat and improve their lives, says Dr V Pareek, Bariatric Surgeon, Care Hospital, Hyderabad.
If you don’t follow proper guidelines, you are likely to regain weight even after bariatric surgery.
People undergoing bariatric surgery should keep in mind that it is just the starting point of their weight loss journey. Maintaining weight loss following surgery is the main challenge because it is not an automatic process. The way you guide yourself after surgery will play a vital role in the long-term results.
You have to change your lifestyle, follow a specific diet plan and exercise regularly, which might seem overwhelming initially. The amount of weight lost by each person will differ and can’t be predicted, but following the strict guidelines recommended by experts will help you to achieve successful weight loss and maintain it for a long-time.
Some lifestyle changes you need to make after bariatric surgery:
- Stop eating high-fat foods like cheese, dark chocolate, fatty fish, sausages, etc.
- Take vitamin & mineral supplements regularly as recommended
- Start with your protein first, followed by vegetables, and if you still feel hungry, eat fruits
- Any solid food you eat, ensure that you chew thoroughly and slowly. Taking at least 30 minutes for every meal is good.
- When you feel full, stop eating. Don’t overeat.
- Say no to carbonated drinks, and alcohol
- Avoid coffee and other caffeinated products
- Do regular exercise
- Stay hydrated. It is important to drink plenty of water to feel energised and to flush out the toxins from your body.
- Ensure that you are not eating carelessly or eating snacks too much
Exercise is an integral part of weight loss.
Implementing a regular exercise regimen is vital to maintain a healthy weight for those who have had bariatric surgery, just as it is for other people who are trying to be fit. Begin with low-impact activities such as swimming and walking and when you are ready, move on to high-impact exercises such as running, lifting weights and other workouts. In order to build and maintain muscle mass, combine weight-bearing exercises with cardio exercises as suggested by experts.
Never miss follow-up appointments.
Regular visits to your doctor or dietician are very important to evaluate your health and ensure that your weight loss progress is going well and on the right path. You may have been prescribed some medications by your doctor following surgery, and your prescription might change based on your progress in the follow-up visits. Do not stop taking medication unless you are instructed to do so by your doctor.
Believe in yourself
Self-belief is very important. Nothing is impossible; it’s just about motivating yourself the right way. Make good choices. Invest in yourself and stay around people who can motivate you. Only you have the capacity to truly understand yourself.
It can take several months to cope with your changing body, the new diet and lifestyle; it is not an overnight process, and you must be patient. After achieving your desired weight loss goals following surgery, you should continue to set new goals to keep up the results for a long time. In order to achieve lasting results, it is essential to make consistent lifestyle changes.
Read: Diet to be followed for the first few weeks following Bariatric Surgery.
Making permanent changes in your diet and a regular exercise regimen can reap the maximum benefits and is the only way to fulfil the goals of your weight loss surgery in the long run. Bariatric or weight-loss surgeries not only help people lose excess weight, but they also treat many underlying conditions like cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, sleeping disorder, PCOD, infertility and many health problems caused by being overweight.
To begin the weight loss surgery process or if you face any difficulty coping with new things or gaining weight again, you can reach out to Dr. Venugopal Pareek at Care Hospital to seek advice. He is one of the best Laparoscopic and Bariatric surgeons in Hyderabad. He has more than 15 years of experience and performed over 10000 surgeries. With the help of state-of-the-art surgical equipment coupled with the expert surgical team, he can ensure you the best care. To book your appointment with the doctor, call +91 91-777-77715 or visit Appointment Booking.
