Bariatric surgery is an excellent option for people who seek to lose a lot of weight, but it’s important to realize that it is only the first step. In order to ensure that you continue to lose weight at a healthy rate after your surgery and that you avoid regaining the lost weight, you need to make some serious lifestyle changes. It is unfortunately quite easy to regain the lost weight if you are not careful.

After your weight-loss surgery, you and your doctor need to come up with a detailed plan on how you will proceed to ensure long-lasting benefits. Here are four ways that you can avoid gaining that weight back.

1. Develop a Diet and Stick to It

This will be the hardest thing you ever do, but it’s the best way to ensure that you do not regain the weight lost after bariatric surgery in the long term. After surgery, you will be put on a liquid diet and will be slowly reintroduced to solid food. When the solid food begins, you will need to seriously rethink your relationship with food.

You need to set a calorie limit for yourself after you can start eating normally, and you should not exceed this limit under any circumstances. The way your food is cooked is crucial to ensuring long-term results. It will be hard, but it will be worth it.

2. Join a Support Group

Becoming part of a support group for bariatric surgery patients is one of the best ways to ensure that you stay on track. The support group will help you in numerous ways, as people will know what you are going through and can truly empathize with you. Being a part of a support group will ensure that you are less likely to spiral out of control, and it will provide you with constant encouragement to reach your goals. You can be an inspiration, and you can be inspired.

3. Fitness Has to Be a Priority

A proper diet needs to be complemented by a strict exercise regimen to achieve the best possible results. Once you slowly start exercising after surgery, you’ll need to develop it into a full-fledged exercise regimen, especially if your body has low metabolism. You can ask your doctor to provide you with a detailed fitness routine as well. Don’t be disheartened if you slip up in between – you have the power to ensure that it does not turn into a major setback.

4. Begin Your Recovery Process Before Surgery

In order to ease your transition, lose as much weight as possible and stop binge eating before bariatric surgery. If you can mentally and physically adjust to the post-operative requirements before your operation, you will have a much better chance of experiencing continued results after your surgery.

Your mindset will need to change, and you will need to start thinking of food as a fuel rather than an emotional requirement. Starting an exercise routine before your surgery will also allow you to prepare yourself for your new life.

Schedule a Consultation to Find Out More

When you speak with a skilled surgeon serving the Orange County area, you’ll be able to discuss methods of avoiding post-operative weight gain and more. Contact us to schedule your consultation.