While the biggest change after weight loss
surgery is obviously the weight loss itself, there are many others that
occur. BayChoice Bariatric Center
in Houston, Texas, offers extensive surgical aftercare support to help patients
adjust to lifestyle changes, including health assessment, exercise, healthy
eating and emotional transformation.
Reduction of
medications after weight loss surgery
Initially patients often notice the reduction of medications
needed due to fewer associated diseases of obesity, like asthma, diabetes, high
blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and degenerative joint disease.
A
recent Cleveland Clinic study found that weight loss surgery actually rids the
body of diabetes within days, (Read more about how BayChoice Bariatric
Center aids in the remission of diabetes after weight loss surgery here) and the National Institutes
of Health reports that gastric bypass surgery significantly improves the
symptoms of sleep apnea and can allow patients to discontinue CPAP therapy in
as little as one month after surgery.
Exercise and
increased activity after weight loss surgery
For individuals who previously couldn’t exercise because of
weight or medical complications, the reduction of weight after surgery means both
the opportunity and commitment to a more active lifestyle.
Al Roker, meteorologist for the Today Show, lost 100
pounds after weight loss surgery. He most enjoys playing with his children and
no longer suffering from aching knees and breathing difficulties. “Exercising is what I
need for my metabolism and for a better sense of well-being,” Roker told US
News.
For musician Carnie Wilson, who underwent weight loss
surgery again in 2011, the decision to exercise is a daily one: "I go
through periods where I'm not doing as much as I might. I come back to exercise
without being guilty about missing a day or two," she told People
magazine.
Exercise for post-weight loss surgery patients:
·
Walking for short periods of time, several times
a day, is a great way to start. That activity can slowly increase to 30 to 45
minutes of activity daily.
·
In addition to cardio, strength training is
important to maintain muscle.
·
Roker’s workout regimen involves a combination
of cardio, weights and strength training five days a week.
·
Wilson’s routine includes walking and aerobics
three to five days a week.
Changes in eating habits after weight loss surgery
After weight loss surgery, patients must rethink meal sizes
and the types of food to eat. The new stomach requires several small meals
daily avoiding rich, sweet or fried foods which can lead to unpleasant side effects.
Roker adheres to the rule of thumb to eat protein first,
drink water later and not snack between meals. “I used to look at a pint of Häagen-Dazs and call
it a serving size. Now I know that I can have a couple of spoonfuls and I'm
done. I'm more in control,” Roker told US News.
For
Wilson, rethinking her eating habits has been an adjustment. "The
surgery is a tool to assist in helping you get back your health, but you have
to participate in your wellness by really being aware of what you eat,"
Wilson told People magazine.
Eating after weight loss surgery:
·
Patients should eat smaller, more frequent meals
and quit eating when they are full.
·
Food should be weighed with a food scale to
ensure consistency.
·
The best foods to eat include: chicken, fish,
eggs, fresh fruit, salads (without rich, fattening dressings) and vegetables
that aren’t carbohydrate laden (like potatoes, carrots and peas).
·
Meals need to be eaten in small bites and chewed
slowly.
·
Liquids should be avoided during the meal as
they cause food to liquefy in the pouch too soon, which causes you to eat more.
The support network at
BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas, ensures that patients have
access to bariatric
nurses and support groups that can continually help individuals
post-surgery to make smart food choices and adjust eating habits as needed.
Emotional changes
after weight loss surgery
The changing of both the body and lifestyle means that
patients can expect major emotional shifts after weight loss surgery. While
many of those changes are positive, including higher self-esteem, more confidence
and a reduction in depression, there are important steps to take as your
metabolism shifts.
Carnie Wilson notes that emotionally, "my life is
richer in the year since the surgery because I'm more willing to experience
things, good or bad, without trying to stuff those feelings by eating. But it
doesn't mean I'm always happy. Like everyone else, I have challenges."
Roker notes that his weight put a major strain on his
marriage before weight loss surgery. “Al’s weight had been a source of tension
for years. I was deeply concerned about his health. I nagged him mercilessly,”
Deborah Roberts, Roker’s wife, told People magazine.
Journaling feelings, participating in support groups and undergoing
clinical hypnotheraphy, all offered by BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston,
Texas, are critical to the aftercare process. For many, eating is an emotional
choice, and those feelings must be discovered and worked through for full
weight loss success to occur.
For more information about the aftercare provided by BayChoice
Bariatric Center, contact Dr.
Kenneth Hollis at 281-482-5300.
