If you’re considering bariatric surgery for the first time, the information available online can appear quite daunting. Our own website has information booklets, handouts, videos and hundreds of blogs. So today we are keeping it simple. Here are five considerations you need to be aware of when considering bariatric surgery as a tool to aid weight loss and have success maintaining that new healthy weight for the rest of your life.
Preparing for Bariatric Surgery
1. Lifestyle Transformation
Understand that bariatric surgery is a powerful tool, but it’s not a quick fix. It’s a long-term commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Be prepared to make significant changes to your diet, activity levels and overall approach to daily life. These changes will lead to the lifestyle transformation we see in our patients, but it’s important to understand that you make these changes happen, not the surgery.
2. Support System
Building a strong support system is essential. Whether it’s friends, family or support groups, having a network to lean on during your journey can be instrumental in your success. At Upper GI Surgery, after having bariatric surgery our patients are enrolled on the Fresh Start program (for 2 years), a professional health coaching team to help guide and support you on your journey. While you’ll have ongoing support from our medical team at your follow-up appointments, you should also try spending time with friends and family whose healthy and active lifestyles you admire. People who “walk the walk” of a healthy life will often have tips they can share to help you.
3. Realistic Expectations
Set realistic expectations about your weight loss journey. Bariatric surgery can lead to significant weight loss, but it’s essential to understand that results vary from person to person. The more committed you are to making the necessary changes, the more likely you are to achieve and maintain success. Long term weight-loss only occurs as a result of long term change.
Post-Bariatric Surgery Recovery
4. Nutritional Changes
After your surgery, you’ll need to follow a specific diet plan for several weeks before you transition to “normal” food and an eating pattern that you will want to try to maintain lifelong. Understand the importance of proper nutrition, including portion control and taking your required vitamins and minerals supplements. Read more here:
5. Long-Term Follow-Up
Realise that bariatric surgery is not a one-time event. Regular, long-term follow-up appointments with your medical team are important to monitor your progress, discuss strategies for lifestyle change, and ensure your overall health by monitoring your nutrition and keeping an eye out for surgical side effects. Those who commit to follow-up are more likely to have greater and more sustained weight loss.
Weight regain seems to occur almost exclusively in people who are not in follow-up. It seems that people who are gaining weight choose not to come in for checks or to receive the support they need, either because they feel guilt about weight regain or because they view weight regain at the time as being unimportant. In reality we want people to return if they experience weight regain, reflux or abdominal pain because this is when our expertise counts the most.
At Upper GI Surgery, we’re here to support you every step of the way, from your initial consultation to your long-term follow-up care. If you have any questions or are ready to begin your journey, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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