What lifestyle changes will you have to make?

In order to make the most of your weight loss surgery, you’ll need to change your lifestyle after the surgery. Here are some changes you’ll need to make:

• You’ll need to restrict your diet and take supplements. Because the size of your stomach has effectively been reduced to about the size of 1 cup or less, your meals will be in smaller portions. You’ll have to eat more frequently throughout the day, and you’ll need to make sure you chew your food slowly and thoroughly, so it doesn’t become stuck and so it’s properly digested. You’ll need more time to eat than you used to, but you’ll also notice you feel fuller with less food. You wont drink any beverages with your meal - your stomach will be too small to hold both. If you had gastric bypass surgery, you’ll be absorbing fewer nutrients than you did before the surgery, so to prevent deficiencies, you’ll need to commit to a regimen of vitamin supplements for the rest of your life.
• You’ll need to exercise regularly. Exercise is even more important to the weight loss surgery patient. After surgery, you’ll be losing weight very rapidly. When this happens, your body will burn stored fat and muscle. Exercise as well as eating more protein are important in countering this by building muscle, burning fat, and increasing your metabolism. Exercise will also be crucial in helping you maintain your weight loss and health lifestyle for the long term.
• You’ll need to work through any psychological and emotional issues. Many people mistakenly assume that weight loss surgery will be a quick fix to all their problems. You have your own issues going into the surgery, and chances are you’ll still have them after surgery. Weight loss surgery will affect most aspects of your life, including your family, career, social life, and self-esteem. You’ll be faced with a lot of changes, most of them good. But any change - good or bad - causes some degree of stress and anxiety. Participating in a support group or getting professional help through a counseling will be helpful in overcoming these and the many other challenges that you’ll experience along your journey.