Here is what a real mini gastric bypass patient eats in a day – 4 tips to maintaining weight loss after bariatric surgery
- Emily Drury
- May 10, 2023
- 11:07 am
Melissa's journey
At Healthier Weight, we always try to focus on teaching our patients the importance of nutrition. One of our ambassadors Melissa who has undergone mini gastric bypass surgery, has shared some helpful tips and tricks, to help keep maintaining her progress in her weight loss journey. Melissa’s journey towards achieving her weight loss goals has been remarkable, and her experience can serve as an inspiration for those considering bariatric surgery or for those who are looking for a little bit more help
1. Portion control
For her first-year post-surgery, Melissa found it easier to focus on her portion sizes, ensuring that she used the same bowl and plate (a small side plate) to eat every meal. (we recommend a portion control plate) This approach is successful in your weight loss journey, as patients become more aware of their food intake. Portion control becomes a prominent part of people’s lives, especially for Melissa, as she states, “I was able to restrict the amount of food I ate whilst still feeling satisfied.” Although this approach sounds simple, it is something that can help majorly towards a positive change that our bariatric patients are looking for.
2. Prioritising your macros
Melissa prioritises protein during her meals. We all know that protein is key to feeling fuller for longer, and this is even more essential for those who have undergone bariatric surgery. The stomach size is now limited therefore it is important to prioritise what kind of food you are eating to remain healthy. By having enough protein, you can preserve your muscle mass as well as achieving satiety. Melissa also stated that it helped her maintain energy levels as she adapted to these new portion sizes and a new way of eating.
3. Do not limit yourself too much
Melissa made a conscious effort of limited her intake of carbs, but not too much (which is the important part!) Although it is important to prioritise what kind of foods you are having, we also believe that for long-term sustainability, you must eat everything in moderation. For this reason, she still enjoyed carbs and would have a spoonful on her plate when making a meal with her family, however, she kept sight of her goals when eating, making it possible for her to enjoy a balanced diet while still achieving her goals towards becoming a healthier weight.
4. Shifting your relationship with food
Success in managing her weight has not only been because of her food choices it is also due to her shift in mentality when it comes to food. Although not relevant for all, a lot of patients initially gain weight because of an unhealthy relationship with food. Therefore, by taking back control, patients can better ways to deal with their health, both mentally and physically.
It is easy to get caught up in an ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset when it comes to food, but this is not sustainable or realistic. Instead, it is essential to find a balance that works for you, by incorporating moderation into your approach, you can enjoy all types of food while still making healthy choices.
In conclusion, Melissa’s journey after bariatric surgery highlights the importance of seeing how making conscious food choices and focusing on portion sizes could have on your journey.
To see more about what Melissa eats on a day-to-day basis you can check out our platforms here and follow her on @bypassing_my_problems