11 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Weight After Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is a consequential source of worry because it is associated with poor mental health and quality of life. It is also a cause of many life-threatening diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, gout and breathing problems such as sleep apnoea and asthma.

Bariatric surgery can be a beneficial surgery for those who are suffering from obesity or genuine weight loss problems, which are further causing them long-lasting health issues. This surgery reduces the stomach’s storage capacity, which mitigates the intake of food and makes an individual feel full to an appropriate limit. This surgery is performed using minimally intrusive techniques because it causes early recovery and it is a less afflicted surgery.

Even though the procedure is simple and safe, there are few unusual adverse effects of the surgery bleeding, anastomotic leaks, blood clotting and Vitamin B12 and other nutrient deficiencies.

You can explore the options and go forward with the best bariatric surgeon in Delhi. If you are doubtful whether you should get this surgery done, you can get a second opinion from a specialist and clear any doubt that you may have.

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Before we dive into a detailed discussion of ways to maintain a healthy weight after the surgery, we should also acknowledge in brief the benefits of bariatric surgery in addition to losing weight:

• It annihilates sleep apnea

• It causes long-term remission for type 2 diabetes

• It improves fertility

• It eliminates other medical issues and pain in joints

• It improves cardiovascular health

How to Maintain a Healthy Weight after Bariatric Surgery?

Here are 11 ways to maintain a healthy weight after bariatric surgery:

1. If you are determined to maintain a healthy weight after the surgery and not revert to the old lifestyle, then there are certain foods that you should avoid at any cost:

a. Tough or Raw Meat- Always consume meat by marinating it

b. Fresh Bread- Avoid fresh bread. Instead, you can eat toasted bread as it has a lower glycemic index and fewer calories than fresh bread.

c. Oranges and Grapefruit- Remove the white membranes and seeds

d. Skins of Fruits and Vegetables: Always peel the skin from fruits and vegetables like pear, apple, potato etc

e. Coconut

f. Milk Products- You should drink only low lactose milk or soy milk

g. Sugar- Avoid food with high sugar content at all costs

2. We have always been aware of the fact that having a proper meal plan without skipping any portion is a beneficial choice for a healthy lifestyle. So, it is advised to have 3 meals a day in addition to a protein supplement.

3. Additionally, during the consumption of meals, always avoid drinking liquids simultaneously. Stopping drinks 30 minutes before eating and avoiding drinks 30 minutes after the meal prevents the stomach from bloating.

4. Drink plenty of water or calorie-free liquids. You should drink at least 3-4 litres of water every day.

5. Avoid snacking. Snacking throughout the day or late at night can deflect an individual from the purpose of losing weight.

6. Consume the food slowly and steadily. When you ingest a meal quickly, the stomach feels full more than the saturated state, which can cause nausea and vomiting.

7. Avoid caffeine. Nowadays, due to an extremely busy lifestyle, it is very difficult to avoid caffeine, so it might be a big obstruction. The main reason is that caffeine is harsh on the stomach and prevents the body from absorbing iron.

8. Avoid consumption of alcohol. Alcoholic drinks are known to have empty calories, which speed up the weight gain process.

9. Avoid food with fat and high sugar content. If you have a sweet tooth, avoiding sugar might be the most difficult task. So, to avoid such discrepancies, starting the day by adding a well-balanced diet in the routine, which includes lean proteins, vegetables, low-fat milk products, whole grains and fruits, is advisable.

10. Exercise regularly. In addition to having a well-planned diet, weaving exercise in your daily routine is a crucial step. Daily exercise routine, which includes stretching, strength training and aerobics, will help maintain a healthy weight after the surgery.

11. Take vitamin and mineral supplements. Sometimes, even a proper diet cannot fulfil the essential nutrients that your body requires. So, it is advised to add supplements to your daily routine. Although, in the case of supplements, it is advised to check the label for the number of nutrients and consume accordingly.

This surgery can help in losing approximately 60%-80% of excess body weight at a constant speed of 6kgs weight loss per month. This effect is long-lasting and sustained. But after the surgery, it is your responsibility to maintain a healthy weight and benefit the most out of the bariatric surgery that you have undergone.