Maintaining Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery: Lifestyle Changes and Tips
- Emily Drury
- August 3, 2023
- 11:27 am
Weight loss surgery is a powerful tool that can help you achieve significant weight loss and enhance your overall well-being. However, it’s essential to recognise that surgery is not a quick fix but rather a catalyst for embracing a new, healthier lifestyle regardless of the type of weight loss surgery you choose. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of adapting to this new life, offering tips and advice to ensure you maintain your weight loss journey successfully through diet and exercise.
The emotional journey
Bariatric surgery can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s normal to experience mixed feelings after your procedure. Studies show that while many individuals find a sense of normalcy and newfound confidence, others may also feel emotions such as uncertainty in their next steps and a possible sense of isolation (NCBI).
Tips for long-term success
Seek support and guidance
After bariatric surgery, it’s normal to encounter challenges. But it’s important to remember that you are not alone in this journey. If you have had surgery with Healthier Weight, we urge you to reach out to our aftercare team to provide valuable guidance that’s tailored to your unique situation. Whether it’s addressing weight loss stalls or your new lifestyle, we are here to support you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, share your concerns, and seek advice to ensure long-term success.
Follow your nutrition plan
The success of maintaining weight loss largely depends on following a well-balanced nutrition plan. Ensuring you adhere to our dietary guidelines is vital. Your nutrition plan can include portion control, mindful eating and focusing on nutrient-dense foods. This is especially important for hitting your protein goals, required to help repair and build tissue, preserve muscle mass, as well as keep you full for longer. Adding foods such as poultry, fish, tofu, and legumes into your meals can help this. We advise using a Portion Control Plate to aid in your food intake
Keep a food journal
Keeping a food journal is an effective strategy to stay accountable for your eating habits. Track what you eat, when you eat, and how much you’re consuming each day. This can help you identify patterns that may lead to overeating or unhealthy food choices. By recognising potential triggers, you can develop coping mechanisms to adopt healthier alternatives.
Visualise your success
Positive visualisation can be a powerful tool to reinforce your commitment to keep you motivated on your weight loss journey. Take a few moments each day to close your eyes and picture your goal weight, or hang up a piece of clothing in your room that you’d love to fit into one day. Embrace the feelings of accomplishment and happiness that accompany your weight loss objectives. This can serve as a mental anchor during times of temptation or doubt.
With all this being said, it’s so important to remember what you are capable of yourself if you believe in yourself. Progress, no matter how small, is still progress so you should celebrate every step forward!
Embrace this new lifestyle with open arms, and remember, you are not alone in this journey. seek support if you need it and connect with fellow patients to build a network of encouragement and understanding.