How to Recover and Maintain Healthy Weight After Bariatric Surgery
Before you make the brave and courageous life-changing decision to have bariatric surgery, whether in your home country or undergoing surgery overseas with Ceyhun Aydoğan for example, you need to get prepared for what comes after it. Besides having the essential Celebrate weight loss vitamins, nutrition supplements, and proteins by your side, there are some other important aspects you should know about your bariatric recovery.
Here are the must-follow tips on how to recover and maintain a healthy weight after bariatric surgery.
How to Best Recover After Bariatric Surgery
When it comes to recovery, the best way to make it as smooth as possible is to inform yourself as much as possible beforehand. Research, study, and buy everything that you think you’ll need. Remember to act on every single decision with a positive mindset and try not to stress your body as much. Here are some tips on how to best recover after bariatric surgery.
Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions To the Dot
Starting with something simple but of utmost importance. Everything you do or don’t do after your surgery must be approved by your doctors.
If it is easier to remember, you can use “Doctor’s three golden rules”. Firstly, you must take the prescribed medication at the times it is prescribed to take it. Second, you must follow the dietary guidelines and physical activity guidelines. And last but not least, you must go in for all the necessary follow-up appointments.
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Plan for A Peaceful Recovery At Home
Despite being one of the happiest times in your life, it will also be one of the most stressful. Try to decompensate the stress by being prepared and knowing what is coming.
Before having the surgery, make sure that your home is turned into a recovery sanctuary. This means doing things like stocking your kitchen and your pantry with healthy and fresh foods and buying all the medication and supplements you will need after surgery beforehand. You have to keep in mind that your sleeping area must be close to a bathroom and not on the second floor (if you live in a 2-story home). You also need to make your sleeping area the most comfortable place on Earth. Start with buying a few extra pillows and blankets. You might want to purchase some items that will help you on your recovery journey like a stepping stool to get into bed and a detachable or extendable showerhead.
Watch Your Symptoms Carefully
Certain physical symptoms or conditions are signs of some of the complications that happen after your bariatric surgery. If you notice any of the following symptoms, please check in with your doctors immediately.
- Fever over 100.5°F
- If the pain in your surgery site increases with time, rather than decreases.
- Any kind of liquid, drainage, or pus from your incision.
- Severe and/or prolonged pains in the chest area.
- Severe and/or prolonged swelling of your legs.
- Lack of urination.
How to Maintain Healthy Weight After Bariatric Surgery
Everyone that goes through bariatric surgery has one fear and one fear only – gaining back the weight. Or not losing enough weight. Or not maintain a healthy weight after bariatric surgery. But the obsession with your weight will only destroy your mind and spirit, and literally not do anything about your body. Instead here are some tricks that will actually help you maintain a healthy weight.
Change Your Eating Habits and Your Relationship With Food
It is no secret that people who do decide to have bariatric surgery have a complex relationship with food. And due to it, they often develop unhealthy eating habits.
Working with a nutritionist and a psychologist can make all of the difference in your bariatric surgery journey. Figuring out why you perceive food as you do and what can you do to change that will be of huge help. Also, knowing how to incorporate protein in all of your meals will be a huge stress-reliever.
Having as much professional help as you can get will be the smartest decision that you can make.
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Move Your Body and Start Small With Exercise
Some people are shocked when they find out that having bariatric surgery means starting to work out immediately after it. The “working out” part certainly does not imply a gym membership right off the back, but you will need to move your body. Doctors usually recommend some breathing exercises for strengthening your abdominal muscles, food, and ankle exercises to encourage your blood flow and they will recommend that you change your position in bed every hour or so.
When you get your strength back and your team of doctors clears you for physical activity, it is recommended that you exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Again, this doesn’t have to mean lifting heavy weights, but you need to keep your body moving if you want to maintain a healthy weight.
Have a Rock-Solid Support System
This is a lot to take on and go through. Not just having the surgery, but the preparations for it and the aftermath of it. It will take a toll on your body as much as your mind. Make sure that you will be emotionally supported through this rollercoaster of emotions.
Whether or not you have a great family and friends support system, it is recommended to join a support group. Support groups can offer something that no one else will – understanding. They are assembled from a group of people that have gone through or are going through this stage in life – so you will never ever feel alone or secluded.
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