It’s a move towards a longer, healthier life – but surgery alone can’t do it for you. You will be in control of your health after your weight loss surgery, and it will be up to you to do everything you can to optimize it. After gastric bypass or bariatric surgery, let’s review some of the points you need to remain mindful of.
Table of Contents
1. Take Specialized Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
With your intake of raw foods deficient, you will need supplements, including a multivitamin A,D,E and K are among the supplements you should supplement. These are the fat-soluble vitamins your body stores and needs in just the right balance, so choose a supplement that gives them to you. Water soluble vitamins will form part of a second supplement. Be sure to choose a formulation that won’t hurt you. Regular pills can irritate your pouch. On the bright side, your chewy multivitamins can be a treat when the flavorings are yummy.
2. Take it Slowly When You Eat or Drink
Apart from ensuring that you don’t shock your reduced stomach with a rapidly-eaten and possibly under-chewed meal, take it slowly. This applies to liquids (which will also be your initial diet after surgery) and solid foods, which you will be given the green light to consume as you recover.
There’s an added benefit. Eating slowly allows you to feel satisfied after eating less food. Your gastrointestinal tract has more time to register feeling “full” and has more time to let your brain know about it. Sip your drinks, and take lots of time to chew your food so it’s easier to digest.
3. Stick to the Recommended Portion Sizes
Your medical team will have briefed you on the portion sizes you should consume at mealtimes. They may even have given you a few sample menus to help you. To top it off, they’ll have told you how many calories to allow yourself. As the month’s pass, you may be tempted to push the limits a little. But overeating will make you feel very unwell. Spread your calorie allowance across the day, and don’t overdo it at any meal.
4. Sip Water
If you were used to often snacking during the day, breaking the habit will take some effort. Make it easier on yourself by sipping water between meals. It will help you to stave off the worst feelings of hunger, and good hydration will make you feel more energetic too! Start the day with water, take a water bottle with you wherever you go and keep a glass of water handy at home or work.
5. Stay off Sweets
With so little stomach capacity to work with, you don’t want to waste space on “empty calories.” Although some sources say you can get away with low-calorie, sugar-free sweets, they might act as a trigger. As for anything containing sugar, it can lead to “dumping syndrome.” Without getting too technical, the dumping syndrome will make you feel very ill, sap your energy, and even make you feel dizzy and faint. “Cheating” just isn’t worth it.
6. Protein is Especially Important
Protein will help keep your metabolism focussed on fat burning and help you feel more satisfied after eating even though the volumes you are allowed are low. Your protein intake helps you to lose weight and keeps you feeling good. And yes, you can be a vegan or vegetarian, but you must carefully balance your vegetable proteins.
You’re Building Habits for a Longer Life
Let’s be frank. The weeks and months following any form of bariatric surgery will be difficult for you. However, you are building habits that will improve your overall health, and by leaving obesity behind you, you will become more mobile and energetic and stand to live a longer life. To your health!
