Tips for Preparing Well for Bariatric Surgery
It has been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In order to experience success, preparation wins every single time. The same is true when it comes to laying the groundwork for weight loss surgery. Bariatric surgery is something that can undoubtedly change your life for the better. Successful patients lose the weight that has plagued them for years, lessening their chances for developing heart disease, diabetes, and other life threatening conditions related to obesity. The health implications that come from carrying excess weight for years decreases as weight is lost and then kept off. Developing health habits that are sustainable over the long haul and coming to terms with the negative relationship to food that contributed to obesity in the first place are also benefits of bariatric surgery. These are all vital reasons why preparing well by addressing these issues before surgery is a key to long term success. You wouldn’t buy a car or take a vacation without doing research and preparing well; the same is true for weight loss surgery. The time and effort you put in before surgery will reap lifelong benefits for you in the end. So, what does it mean to prepare for bariatric surgery and how can you get yourself into a positive frame of mind to get the process started?
At least 3 months out, begin to address the issues with food that have been plaguing you for so long. This will look different for everyone so don’t expect your journey to look just like another. Begin by addressing the types of food you are eating. The abundance of sugary and fatty processed foods that are more than likely a part of your current diet are not feeding your body the vital nutrients it needs to serve you well. Start choosing foods that are high in nutritional value and seek quality over comfort. You will have to train your brain and your body to enjoy these types of food, but the return on investment for you highly outweighs the effort. Portion sizes will also need to be reduced as you prep for surgery.
If you have been eating poorly for quite some time, you will also want to begin the habit of taking a daily multivitamin. Dietary supplementation is something that most bariatric patients will have to do so starting now is a great idea. It will get you into the routine of taking vitamins and help heal your body as well.
Did you know that post surgery, you will not be able to have beverages with your meal for at least an hour? Your stomach, after surgery is completed, will be much smaller and unable to hold the same amount of foods. If you drink with your meals, you will be pushing the food you consumed out of your stomach at a much faster rate and this will cause hunger. Also, because of the reduction in size to your stomach, you will get fuller faster. If you do not drink and eat at different times, you could become malnourished. This is a habit you can begin to develop now that will serve you well post-op.
According to Bariatric Surgery Source, there is a direct link between those who lost weight in preparation for bariatric surgery and surgical risk during the procedure. Essentially, the study found that those who prepared well for surgery by losing weight had less complications during the actual surgical procedure. It is always wise to begin addressing negative relationships with food and begin losing weight before surgery takes place. This puts the patient in a better frame of mind and increases the likelihood of a problem free surgical experience.
There is so much you can do to prepare well for bariatric surgery. The above ideas are just a few that you can implement now. For a more exhaustive list, see here. Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute has been assisting the residents of Brevard County and beyond with the best bariatric surgery experiences available. Our expert team wants to see you succeed in every way possible. Please contact us today for any questions you may have about bariatric surgery in Melbourne, FL.