Are you wondering what life after bariatric surgery will look like?
It will be very different and will involve new eating habits, scheduled follow-up appointments, getting enough regular physical activity, and implementing healthy lifestyle habits.
Everyone’s recovery, results, and journey after bariatric surgery looks different, but having an understanding of what you might expect can help you better prepare both physically and mentally.
What To Expect in the First Weeks After Bariatric Surgery
During the first few weeks after your bariatric surgery, you will need to concentrate on getting as much rest as you can so your body can heal properly. You can expect to feel very tired and sore, but you will need to take short walks around the house to keep your blood circulating to lower the risk of blood clots.
New Routine and New Diet
These first several weeks after your surgery, you will start adjusting to a whole new routine and a new way of eating. You will be on a very strict diet for the next several months while your stomach and body adjust to the changes that have been made. It will take a while for your stomach to be able to process solid foods again, so you will start out on a clear liquid diet and progress through several phases until you can eat and digest solid foods once again. You may notice you feel full very quickly after eating just a small amount of food.
Activity Restrictions
You will need to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your surgeon very carefully to ensure your recovery goes as smoothly as possible. You may have activity restrictions, like:
- No strenuous exercise.
- No heavy lifting.
- No driving.
- No air travel.
- No intimacy.
Returning To Work
You can return to work after your surgeon feels you have recovered enough to perform the job you do without injury. People who work a desk job will be able to return to their jobs much faster than those whose jobs are labor-intensive or require heavy lifting.
Abnormal Symptoms That Require Attention
There are some symptoms that warrant medical attention during your recovery after bariatric surgery. Call your doctor or go to the ER if you are experiencing the following:
- Severe pain in your abdomen or pain that continues to get worse.
- A fever or chills.
- Chronic nausea or ongoing vomiting.
- Trouble drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated.
- Redness, swelling, drainage, or an incision that splits apart.
- Chest pain or shortness of breath.
Eating and Drinking After Bariatric Surgery
One of the biggest adjustments to your life after bariatric surgery will be learning how to eat. This not only means reacclimating your stomach to handle normal foods but also the types of foods you choose to eat and the new habits you will need to form about eating mindfully.
Practice Mindful Eating
Mindful eating means that you are only paying attention to what you are eating and how much. This way you can recognize when you are comfortably full, which can prevent you from eating too many calories or becoming overly full and uncomfortable.
- Eat slowly and take very small bites.
- Chew each bite thoroughly before swallowing.
- Put your fork down between bites.
- Avoid distractions like television or scrolling on your phone while eating.
- Stop eating as soon as you feel comfortably full, even if there is food left on your plate.
- Give yourself enough time to enjoy your meal instead of rushing.
Prioritize Nutrient-Dense Foods First
Since your stomach is much smaller after bariatric surgery, you will fill up much faster. It is important that you eat the foods that your body needs the most before you get full. To do this, you should:
- Eat your protein first, such as lean meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or beans.
- Make vegetables and other foods that are high in nutrition as your next priority.
- Save the limited foods like bread, rice, pasta, or other starches for last if your meal plan allows them.
- Avoid foods and drinks that are high in added sugar or unhealthy fats, since they can take up valuable space in your stomach and don’t provide much nutrition.
One major change for most people is to drink fluids between meals instead of with their meals. Most of us are used to having a big glass of water or something with our meals, but these liquids may also take up valuable stomach space that should be used to ensure you get enough protein.
Another big change is that you will need to take vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of your life because you will not be able to get all the nutrients your body needs from the food you eat. Your bariatric team will provide you with a list of supplements you need to take that will be based on your blood work and nutrient assessment.
Follow the meal plan provided by your surgeon or registered dietitian, because everyone may have different recommendations depending on the type of bariatric surgery they had.
Exercise and Physical Changes After Bariatric Surgery
Maintaining your weight loss results after bariatric surgery will require a combination of efforts, including what you eat and how much physical activity you get.
Getting enough exercise is a very important part of your long-term success with weight management. While your body is still healing, your exercise routine should start slowly with walking because it can be done very slowly and does not require any special equipment.
You can add strength training, core exercises, and more high-impact aerobics as your body heals and your surgeon clears you.
Not everyone experiences the same things, but as your body heals and the weight begins to come off, you may notice some of the following changes:
- You have more energy.
- Your clothes are fitting differently.
- You may begin to see loose skin.
- Your hair may begin to shed, which is normally temporary.
- Your weight loss may plateau for a while.
Follow-Up Appointments After Bariatric Surgery
Even when you are feeling great, part of your new life after bariatric surgery is to attend your routine follow-up appointments faithfully.
During these appointments, your bariatric care team checks on the progress of your recovery, reviews your eating habits, tracks your weight, and monitors your vitamin or mineral levels to identify deficiencies before they become serious.
Losing a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time can change how some medications work, so your doctor may need to adjust any medicines you are currently taking for medical issues like diabetes or high blood pressure. Don’t stop taking your medication, crush it, or change a medication unless your prescribing doctor tells you to do so.
Emotional and Social Changes
Many people have a decent understanding of the physical changes that come with life after bariatric surgery, but many are not prepared for the social and emotional changes they may have to adjust to as well.
Just one example might be if you routinely meet friends out every Wednesday night for drinks and karaoke, it might be a challenging situation for you to drink water or a diet soda while your friends are having alcohol. Many people find that they need to add to their circle of friends and include others who are dealing with the same issues as they are.
Having a positive support system can make a big difference in your success. Some sources of encouragement might come from:
- Family and friends,
- Your bariatric care team,
- Your dietitian or nutrition specialist.
- A mental health professional.
- Online or in-person bariatric support groups.
Can A Bariatric Team Help Me Be Successful Long-Term With Life After Bariatric Surgery?
Yes. A supportive bariatric team, like the one at the Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgery Institute (LESI), can help you overcome challenges and provide you with encouragement so you are successful in reaching your goals and maintaining a healthy weight.
Losing weight is just one part of your journey, and you will also need to implement healthy lifestyle habits that you can continue in the years ahead. Your LESI bariatric team can help you stay on track by monitoring your progress, checking for nutritional deficiencies, answering questions, and making recommendations as your needs change.
They can also help you connect with other professionals like registered dietitians, support groups, or other resources that can help you navigate the physical and emotional changes that often come with life after bariatric surgery.
Set up a consultation today with a LESI board-certified bariatric surgeon to learn more about life after bariatric surgery and your options for weight loss.
FAQs
When Will I Be Able to Go Back to Work After Bariatric Surgery?
Maybe after a few weeks, but it depends on the type of work you do. Patients who work a desk job will be able to go back to work much more quickly than those who do work that is labor-intensive.
Will I Need Vitamins for The Rest of My Life?
Yes. Most people who have weight loss surgery must take lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements. The types and amounts you will need to take will depend on the bariatric procedure you had.
How Often Will I Need to Attend Follow-Up Appointments?
Most patients attend several appointments in the months just following their surgery and then maybe a few times a year, but it will depend on the bariatric technique used. Your doctor will give you the schedule that is right for you.
Is It Normal to Stop Losing Weight for A While?
Yes. Almost everyone who sets out to lose weight ends up experiencing what is called a weight loss plateau at one time or another during their journey. This does not mean your surgery didn’t work; it is normal, and your bariatric team can help you get through it.
Can I Ever Eat Normal Foods Again?
Maybe. Many people can return to most of the foods they enjoy, but sometimes bariatric surgery changes the way your body handles certain foods. Some foods may cause extreme discomfort, and you may wish to avoid them in the future.
