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Beginning a New Life After Surgery

Surgery is not a “quick-fix” solution; it is only the beginning to starting a healthier life. Constant vigilance with your diet, exercise and many other life changes is required to gain the maximum benefits from whatever procedure you choose.

Diet

The modifications made to your gastrointestinal tract will require permanent changes in your eating habits. Post-surgery dietary guidelines will vary by surgeons and other sources. Be sure to follow the guidelines provided by your surgeon, as they are designed upon your specific needs and your procedure. The following are fundamental dietary rules:
When you are cleared to begin eating solid food again, be sure it is very well chewed.
Do not drink fluids when eating. They will cause you to feel full before you have consumed enough food.
Omit deserts and other foods that list sugar as one of the first three ingredients.
Omit carbonated drinks, high-calorie nutritional supplements, milk shakes, high-fat foods and foods high in fiber content.
Avoid alcohol.
No snacking between meals.

Returning to Work
Your ability to resume pre-surgery activity levels depends on many factors, including your physical condition, the type of activity and the type of surgery you had. Many patients return to pre-surgery levels of activity within six weeks of their procedure. Patients who had minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures may be able to return to activities within just a few weeks.

Birth Control and Pregnancy
It is highly recommended that women of childbearing age use the most effective forms of birth control a minimum of one year following weight loss surgery. The added demands of pregnancy and the potential for fetal damage make this a most important requirement.

Long-term Considerations
While the short-term effects of weight loss surgery are well understood, questions regarding the long-term effects on nutrition and body systems still remain. You will need periodic blood work to check for anemia and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Later on, tests will be needed only every one to two years.

Support Groups
While weight loss surgery is a very effective device, it does not instantly resolve years of accumulated emotional damage and it is very common for patients to seek support, advice and encouragement. The best forum for this is a widespread network of support groups comprised of fellow weight loss surgery patients and medical professionals, because they provide an open and honest environment for sharing and discussing various personal issues and experiences. Our program Bariatric surgeon, maintains that post-surgery support groups help patients to attain their highest level of success following weight loss surgery by providing much needed motivation, support and honest advice. Here at Northeast Baptist hospital, we are dedicated to your sustained success in achieving your weight loss goals and, for this reason, our program Bariatric surgeon hosts a monthly general support group and the program psychologist hosts a monthly psychological support group.

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Published on 30 Jan 2008

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