Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

After Recovery

After surgery, your weight will continue to decrease and soon you will have recovered physically from the surgery. It is then that the success of the surgery equally depends upon you as much as the surgery. It will require a lifetime of lifestyle and nutritional changes for best and sustained results. Problems (like weight gain) can occur after, but should not be inevitable. There are a few tips that when followed can help you cope with the changes to your stomach after surgery

• Stop eating if you feel full. Listen to your body. Understanding fullness, and responding to this will avoid bloating, vomiting and Dumping syndrome. It is best to stop eating once 'satiety' (fullness) is felt. Wait 5-10 mins and consider continuing to eat.
• Chewing your meals is best. Count 20 chews per mouthful. Each mouthful should only be a teaspoon in size. This does slow your eating down, but as you will be having small portions than before, mealtime should be the same as your family / friends
• Avoid drinking fluids 30 minutes before or after your meal. This will contribute to bloating and nausea
• Eating on the run, or in stressful environments have been shown to lead to bad habits. Set time aside to eat properly.
• Protein should be the main source of calories in your diet. Your Dietician will explain sources of them. Calories just from carbohydrates will not provide your body with sufficient building blocks for cell growth and repair. Always eat your protein first in you meals. Consider freezing meals each week into appropriate sized portions.
• Continue to take your multivitamins and other vitamins recommended life long. Your body will not be as efficient in absorbing these from your diet as before surgery. Without these supplements you can experience anaemia and/or thinning of your bones.
• Continue to eat 'the right' choices as outlined by your Dietician and Surgeon. Avoid casual snacking on high sugar snacks.
• Constipation can be an ongoing issue. This is mostly due to insufficient fluid intake (aim >1500ml/day) or lack of fibre. Carrying and regularly sipping on a drink bottle with water or fruit tea can assist with fluid. maintenance. Increasing dietary fibre can be hard. Laxatives such as Phloe, Kiwicrush, Psylium husks or laxsol are generally tolerated well. It is best to avoid Lactulose
• Exercise is regular part of your new life. It is important to do 30-45mins of strenuous exercise at least 5 times a week. Fast walking is acceptable, but it may be an idea to engage a personal trainer at the beginning to give you advice and ideas that best suit you and your daily schedule. Post operative exercise regime is not optional