Are you considering gastric bypass surgery? This is a major event in your weight loss journey. But this new beginning comes with changes that you will need to take seriously. If you have surgery and make the necessary lifestyle adjustments needed, you can experience great long-term results that yield a new, healthier you.
In the short term, you will be limited in what you can eat and the kinds of physical activities you will do after weight loss surgery. That being said, 95 percent of our surgeries are done laparoscopically. Instead of one large incision, our bariatric surgeons make several small incisions.
This shortens the recovery time immensely. So while you are limited in what you can eat, you should be able to return to normal activities. Going to the grocery store, taking kids to practice, and even returning to work if it isn’t too physically taxing.
Gastric Bypass Diet
After surgery, you will work with a WeightWise dietitian to develop a nutrition and eating plan. Changing your eating habits is one of the most significant adjustments that will need to be made. In the two weeks after surgery, you will be restricted to an all-liquid diet.
Along with protein supplements, this will help prepare the body for the decreased food intake in the months after surgery and for the rest of your life. During this time, hormonal changes to your body will lessen hunger pangs and help you feel full with less food.
In the weeks and months after surgery, soft foods and then more solid foods will be added to your diet. It is very important that you follow the diet plan laid out by your dietitian. Eating the wrong foods or drinking the wrong fluids can lead to Dumping Syndrome.
This happens when the bypass or stomach pouch is forced to deal with too much sugar and will lead to nausea, vomiting, and other issues. It can also happen if you drink fluid high in calories like milk, soda, or juice. So while we require at least 96 ounces of fluid a day, it should be fluids less than 15 calories and sipped throughout the day.
You’ll also need to be careful when you drink water and when you eat. Your body will need the nutrients from food, so you don’t want fluid taking up room in the smaller stomach area. WeightWise advises patients to avoid drinking fluids with meals and wait an hour after eating to drink. You can drink fluid right up until you start eating.
The right amount of fluid every day will help you avoid dehydration, constipation, and more. You will also need to eliminate refined carbohydrates, greasy or high-fat food, and sugary and carbonated beverages. After two weeks, you will be required to take vitamins and minerals. Your dietitian will go over what is recommended.
Eventually, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of delicious foods. WeightWise has a recipe blog filled with hundreds of recipes that are both tasty and will help with your weight loss goals. Remember – this is how you will eat for the rest of your life.
Activity
Immediately after surgery, you will need to take it easy. Remember, your body just went through surgery and it needs to recuperate. So, take time for yourself and get plenty of rest and relaxation. After you heal and get the green light from your doctor, you will need to pick up your activity level.
Walking is a great place to start. Over the months and years after surgery, you will be able to do more physical activity and follow a workout plan that you enjoy. An active lifestyle is one of the most critical parts in losing weight and keeping it off.
WeightWise exercise physiologists will develop an activity routine specifically for you. There may be old sports injuries or limited mobility from a past accident that limit your mobility. This will all be taken into consideration when building a routine. You won’t be required to run a marathon anytime soon, but 30 minutes of exercise five days a week will be a short-term goal.
You will concentrate on flexibility and coronary health at the beginning. Weight training is usually reserved until after you’ve hit your target weight, usually between nine months to a year. As your body gets in better shape, your workouts will be adapted to your improving fitness levels.
Gastric bypass surgery is a great option for many people struggling to lose weight. But it is a lifelong decision to keep the weight off. Watch our FREE online seminar video to find out why the WeightWise process is so successful. When you’re ready, contact our team at WeightWise for an initial consultation.