After bariatric surgery

Having bariatric surgery is just the beginning of your health and weight loss journey. Successful weight loss surgery requires a long-term commitment to changing your lifestyle.

You’ll need to adjust your diet, stop smoking, get physical exercise and make other changes to see the best results.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our bariatric surgery team includes experts in nutrition, fitness and mental health. Our support doesn’t end after surgery. We know that you’re more likely to engage in better habits when you have the resources you need.

What is recovery like after bariatric surgery?

Most people can return home the day after the procedure because we use minimally invasive approaches to weight loss surgery. Pain should be minimal, and you’re encouraged to resume physical activity as soon as possible. Listen to your body – it will let you know if you’re overexerting yourself.

As you recover from surgery, you’ll start with a liquid diet, then progress to one that includes pureed foods. You’ll need to avoid sugar, caffeine and carbonated drinks. During this recovery phase, you may need protein supplements to ensure you’re getting enough while you heal.

After a few weeks, your doctor will let you know when you can start eating soft foods, such as eggs, tofu, well-cooked vegetables and baked fish. Your body needs time to heal before it can handle solid foods and a more varied diet. Follow your doctor’s guidance closely to avoid complications during your recovery.

Lifestyle changes needed after bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery can be the first step to becoming healthier. But an operation alone isn’t a permanent cure for obesity or related conditions such as sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. To successfully lose weight and maintain weight loss after bariatric surgery, you must commit to a healthy lifestyle.

Diet

Even after you’ve fully recovered from surgery and are eating solid foods, you’ll need to watch your diet closely. Your stomach will only be able to handle about a cup of food at a time.

Because you’re only able to eat small amounts, it’s important to focus on nutrient-rich foods that are high in protein and low in fats and carbohydrates. You should avoid or significantly limit sugar, alcohol and carbonated drinks

You’ll probably need to take supplements to meet all your nutritional needs. Your doctor will help you decide which vitamins and minerals you need to take.

Exercise

Physical activity is important for weight loss, weight maintenance and your overall health. Finding activities you enjoy is key to your long-term success and well-being.

Try different activities, start out slowly and enlist a friend to make exercise more fun. Committing to being active not only burns calories, but it also impacts your metabolism, improves blood pressure and cholesterol, builds strength and endurance and boosts your mood.

Mental health

Losing significant amounts of weight can change how you think about yourself and how others think of you. Some people gain confidence as they successfully change their lifestyle and manage their weight. Others struggle with continuing to see themselves as affected by obesity.

Mental health support is an important part of life after weight loss surgery. Connecting with others in a support group or seeking personal counseling can help you stay mentally healthy throughout this journey.