Your battle to lose weight has likely been a years-long effort with frustratingly little in terms of results. Now that you’ve made the decision to undergo bariatric surgery, your efforts shouldn’t end there. There are steps you can take to prepare for this type of surgery that can greatly ease your weight-loss journey.
Here at Rockwall Surgical Specialists, our team of experienced and qualified surgeons can do our part to successfully execute your weight loss surgery, but the preparations you make in advance can make a big difference. With that in mind, we’ve pulled together five tips to help you prepare for your bariatric surgery and the road beyond.
Bariatric surgery is a fantastic way to give you the leg up you need to lose unhealthy weight, but it doesn’t happen without some serious lifestyle changes. For example, whatever type of weight loss surgery you opt for, expect that you’ll be eating a lot less afterward.
Rather than waiting until after the surgery to make this sudden change in your diet, practice your new diet for a little while beforehand. Rest assured, we provide nutritional guidance during this time to ensure that what you do eat is packed with the nutrients you need to support good health.
Bear in mind that we may put you on a liquid diet during the two weeks leading up to your procedure, which is typically the case with gastric bypass.
Starting an exercise regimen before your surgery is helpful in several ways. It not only allows you to lose a little weight beforehand, but it also improves your heart health, which is especially important before you undergo a surgical procedure.
In addition, you want to become accustomed to moving more after weight loss surgery. This can help speed your weight loss and improve your health afterward.
Now, more than ever, it’s important that you remain healthy leading up to your surgery. For example, with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, it’s paramount that you avoid becoming infected, which can delay your surgery.
It’s important that you understand your life will undergo dramatic changes after your bariatric surgery, and we want you to consider the many ways in which things will change. For example, you may need to reframe social outings from ones in which you can eat all you want to ones that are occasions for talking or taking a walk rather than eating.
Understanding your eating patterns and coming up with alternatives will serve you very well after your surgery.
Anytime you make a significant change in your life, it’s helpful to have support systems around you. Use the weeks or months preceding your bariatric surgery to be sure that family and friends understand what you’re doing, and why, so they can provide critical support afterward.
Of course, our team is with you every step of the way, and we can also recommend support groups that can help you navigate the early days after surgery.
There are many things that you can do to better prepare yourself for bariatric surgery, and we discuss them with you well in advance. If you have questions or want to learn more, contact one of our locations in Rowlett, Rockwall, Greenville, Forney, or Terrell, Texas, to set up a consultation.
