Bariatric surgery is a life-changing decision often made after exhausting weight loss efforts through diet and exercise. Patients with a BMI of 30 or higher may benefit from surgery and will need to attend follow-up appointments to ensure rapid weight loss. Here’s what you should expect after bariatric surgery.
Symptoms And Side Effects
As the body experiences rapid weight loss, clients will experience symptoms over the course of about six months; these may include:
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Common Cold
- Dry skin
- Changes in mood
- Shedding or thinning hair
- Acid reflux
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Flatulence
- Dumping Syndrome
These side effects are normal and temporary. As clients go through the follow-up process, their body will heal and return to a healthy state.
What To Expect During Follow-Up Appointments
Post surgery, clients will need to attend follow-up appointments during which their physician will review their diet, exercise habits, changes in symptoms, and weight loss progress. During follow-up appointments, clients can share any concerns they may have and ask questions about what to expect in the coming weeks and months. The physician will also provide recommendations for meal plans.
Important Lifestyle Changes
To aid weight loss, clients will be encouraged to:
- Chew thoroughly and swallow only once the food feels liquidated
- Eat four to six small meals each day
- Spend at least 30 minutes to consume a meal to avoid pain in the breastbone or nausea
- Stop eating as soon as you feel satisfied
- Sip at least 1.5 liters of water per day
- Avoid drinking liquid 30 minutes before and after each meal to avoid vomiting
- Avoid dry foods; consider adding water or broth to aid swallowing
- Avoid foods that are: hard and dry, high-sugar, high calorie, and high glycemic index
- Avoid drinks that are carbonated and sweetened
- Avoid emotional or stress eating
Clients will need to learn portion control, nutrition, and meal planning to support continued weight loss. Staff will teach clients how to weigh and measure proper portions of foods. Food tracking apps could be helpful during this stage.
Clients will need to drink their body weight in ounces of water and eat 60 to 80 grams of protein each day. Consuming enough protein and fiber will help clients feel satiated and aid weight loss.
Caloric restriction post bariatric surgery will naturally create a need for vitamins and supplements. Each client will be given specific instructions for which vitamins and supplements they need to take and for how long.
Mental And Emotional Health
After bariatric surgery, clients may experience fluctuations in mood due to the many bodily changes and symptoms that occur during rapid weight loss. We encourage clients to reach out to family members and friends for support and developing healthy coping habits.
Regular physical exercise or simply embracing an active lifestyle could help boost mood and support recovery.
During follow-up appointments, physicians will closely monitor clients’ overall health and ensure they are following healthy diet and lifestyle guidelines for maximum results.
Give us a call today to schedule a consultation for bariatric surgery.
