Everyone loves to eat good food. But when the same eating becomes overeating, it may lead to unwanted excess pounds in the body. Without even realizing you might reach the stage where you would need bariatric surgery to lose weight. This surgery is performed on people who are suffering from obesity. While this weight loss surgery will give you results you are looking for, it can also gradually entice people into overeating. They might not mind eating an extra portion of chocolate, ice-cream, pastry, cookies, or other similar foods, believing that a little portion would have no impact on their weight loss. Nevertheless, it will have an impact on your weight after the surgery, for the short run and long run.
To avoid gaining weight after you have bariatric surgery, you would have to make efforts with your eating and food habits after the surgery has occurred. In this post, you will learn about a few things you can do on an everyday basis that will help you avoid weight regain for a long time after the surgery.
How can you gain weight after weight loss surgery?
Usually, in the first year, following the surgery, most people are very diligent towards their dietary habits and exercise regime. They eat food in the right and recommended portions and they avoid eating out. However, gradually, they start to eat more and exercise less. They even start adding the foods to their diet they should be avoiding, such as fast foods, sweets, etc. Thus, slowly they start to gain weight.
Prevent Weight Gain After Weight Loss Surgery
- Follow the recommended post-surgery diet faithfully
You would have to follow a particular diet after you have your bariatric surgery. It will help you cope with the surgery and help you with weight loss. You need to follow this diet religiously and don’t stop it even after you have lost weight. Some people become a bit too relaxed with their diet a year or two after the surgery. This can lead to too much unhealthy eating that can result in weight gain. You mustn’t go back to the habit of eating high-calorie foods that can put all your hard work to waste.
- Have an honest interaction with your doctor and not hide anything
When you are visiting your doctor or physician, always be honest about how you are feeling and what you have been doing post-surgery. If you feel like you are slipping back into your old habits of unhealthy and untimely eating, or if you are feeling emotionally stressed after the surgery, discuss it with your doctor. This can help you avoid stress or emotional eating in the future.
- Get support from family and friends
If you have a problem with your diet or finding it difficult to stay on the right track to lose weight, you can talk to your physician, other weight-loss surgery patients, and your loved ones. Get help and support, talk to others who have been through similar situations. Talking to other bariatric surgery patients can help you a lot to manage eating challenges after the surgery.
- Try to lose some weight before the surgery
Your doctor might ask you to start working on your weight loss and lower your BMI before the surgery. Some researchers believe that lowering your BMI before the surgery can help you get better weight loss results once the surgery has taken place. It will help you develop healthy eating habits and lifestyles that you can carry on after the surgery with added precautions.
- Develop better eating habits
It is important to be careful about what you are eating. However, it is equally important how you are eating. When eating, take smaller bites, take your time to chew the food properly, avoid drinking water or any other drink while you are eating, use a smaller plate, don’t eat when you are feeling full, maintain a proper eating schedule, order and eat less when you go out, and more. Talk to your physician or a diet counselor for the right guidance.
- Build a new relationship with your favorite foods
When you are working towards losing weight, your relationship with your favorite foods changes significantly. Think differently about food. Let go of your unhealthy food cravings and replace them with healthy food and eating habits. Overeating your favorite high-calorie foods can cause significant damage to all your weight loss efforts. To free yourself from damaging eating habits may take some time. Nevertheless, by committing yourself, you can gradually break bad habits and prevent weight gain after weight loss surgery.
- Adopt an active lifestyle
You can’t lose weight with a sedentary lifestyle, especially after you have the surgery. With proper exercising, you can get a better physique, increased energy levels, and better mental health. Regular exercise can make a lot of difference in preventing weight gain and speeding up your weight loss efforts after bariatric surgery.
Conclusion
Weight loss surgery can be a lifesaver treatment for many people who are suffering from various health elements because of their obesity. This surgery will help you lose weight, but you will have to do your part as well. You can’t just expect your body to lose weight on its own after the surgery as you continue eating unhealthy, high-calorie foods. You will have to change your attitude, eating habits, and overall lifestyle. It may take time, but eventually, you will be able to see an improved difference in your weight as well as other parts of your life.