How to Avoid Mistakes After Weight Loss Surgery

May 5, 2015 | All Articles, post-tsb-team |

You have decided to have weight loss surgery as a means to a healthier life. Weight loss surgery can be the first step toward a new start, but it is not automatic. For the surgery to be successful, patients need to stick with the recommended guidelines.

Some of the most common mistakes include:

Not Taking Vitamins. Each patient has specific nutritional needs based on the type of surgery he or she has had as well as based on their blood work result. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to conditions such as Osteoporosis, Anemia, fatigue, dizziness, forgetfulness, loss of appetite, and numbness in the extremities.
Eating Too Many Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, especially refined ones, can be addictive. This will not only slow your weight loss, but it can bring you back to your old habits and halt weight loss. Follow the recommended diet and stay clear of carbohydrates.
Not Drinking Enough Water. Drinking 64 ounces of water will not only prevent dehydration, but it will aid in your weight loss as well.
Grazing. Grazing can easily cause the pounds to creep on. Make sure to eat enough at meals and planned snacks. Drinking enough water will help you resist the urge to graze. Also try making a list of alternative activities to do when you crave and are not truly hungry. Doing some other activity such as calling a friend or taking a walk could distract you and help you get your mind off snacking.
Not Exercising. Exercise not only keeps up your metabolism, but it also keeps up your spirit and positive attitude.
Drinking Soda. Avoid carbonation. Soda or any carbonated beverage for that matter, may stretch your pouch or bring you back to your old eating habits.
Drinking With Meals. There are a couple of reasons why you want to avoid drinking with your meals. Firstly, the fluid takes up space in your small stomach and will therefore not allow you to eat adequate protein. Secondly, if you drink while you eat, your food will leave your stomach sooner, which can lead to overeating.
Not Eating Right. Eat all meals, avoid skipping meals, and don’t go too many hours without eating. Cook fresh and cut back on processed foods. Clear your kitchen of tempting, unhealthy snacks, surrounding yourself with good food choices. Remember to always eat proteins first followed by vegetables.
Drinking Alcohol. All alcoholic drinks not only have empty calories, but can also cause people to get the “munchies” leading to poor food choices. Alcohol consumption can also cause stomach ulcers (especially in post op patients). The recommendation is to avoid alcohol for the first 2 years after surgery.
Assuming Surgery Has Cured Morbid Obesity. At the beginning, when the weight comes off easily, people feel that they’ll never have to worry about weight gain again. This is simply not true. If you don’t change your eating habits and lifestyle, the weight struggle will remain.