Life Recommendations After Bariatric Surgery: Activities and Diet

Life Recommendations After Bariatric Surgery: Activities and Diet

Bariatric surgery is a significant step towards achieving significant weight loss and improving overall health. Post-surgery, lifestyle changes are essential to ensure successful outcomes. These changes will also help you maintain the benefits of the procedure. This article provides comprehensive recommendations for activities and diet after bariatric surgery.

Understanding Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery helps you lose weight by making changes to the digestive system. These procedures include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric balloons. Post-surgery, patients need to adhere to specific lifestyle changes to maximise the benefits and avoid complications.

Post-Surgery Diet Recommendations

A carefully planned diet is crucial after bariatric surgery. This will help promote healing and support weight loss:

• Phase 1 - Liquid Diet: Immediately after surgery, patients must follow a liquid diet for the first few days. This includes clear broths, sugar-free drinks, and protein shakes.
• Phase 2 - Pureed Foods: After the initial phase, pureed foods can be introduced. These include blended soups, mashed vegetables, and protein-rich purees.
• Phase 3 - Soft Foods: Patients can start eating soft foods like scrambled eggs, soft fruits, and well-cooked vegetables.
• Phase 4 - Solid Foods: Eventually, a balanced diet of solid foods can be resumed. Focus on high-protein, low-sugar, and low-fat options.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Avoid drinking during meals to prevent overfilling the stomach.
• Small Portions: Eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid stretching the stomach. Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly to aid digestion.

Physical Activity Post-Bariatric Surgery

Incorporating physical activity into daily routines is essential for maintaining weight loss and overall health:

• Initial Phase: Start with light activities such as short walks or gentle stretching exercises. Avoid strenuous activities during the initial recovery phase.
• Gradual Increase: Gradually increase the intensity and duration of physical activities. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
• Strength Training: Incorporate strength training exercises to build muscle mass and boost metabolism. Focus on low-impact exercises initially and gradually increase resistance.
• Stay Consistent: Consistency is key. Find activities you enjoy to make exercise a regular part of your lifestyle.

Long-Term Lifestyle Changes

Sustaining weight loss and health improvements requires long-term lifestyle changes:

• Regular Monitoring: Attend all follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider. This will help monitor progress and address any concerns.
• Nutritional Supplements: Take prescribed vitamins and mineral supplements to prevent deficiencies. Bariatric surgery can affect nutrient absorption.
• Mindful Eating: Practise mindful eating by paying attention to hunger and fullness cues, and avoiding emotional eating.
• Stress Management: Practice stress management techniques. This can include meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to maintain emotional balance.

For more information and to book a consultation visit the ACIBADEM Beauty Center Obesity Surgery page.