For some people, bariatric surgery is a necessary part of their weight-loss efforts. Once they go through this drastic step, there are chances that they need to expect. Experts at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery say that gradual lifestyle changes and good after-care techniques can help maximize your weight-loss surgery results. If you want to get a glimpse of what life is like after your weight-loss surgery, here’s what you should know.
Taking Medications
After your surgery, your doctor will prescribe medications. Here are some considerations in taking them:
Open capsules and crush tablets. After your surgery, your digestive system cannot absorb whole solid medications like before. Crushing tablets or opening capsules allows your medications to go through your new digestive tract.
Consult your doctor for correct doses. You can take the medications that you have been taking before surgery. Make sure that you ask your doctor about the correct dosages. Your obesity-related medication doses may need to be reduced.
Refrain from taking NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These medications can increase your risk of having ulcers. You can ask your doctor about alternatives to NSAIDs.
Choosing Food, Fluids, and Supplements
Expect your dietitian to provide you with a strict nutrition plan. You may need to be on a liquid diet for a time. Then, you will progress to pureed foods. Gradually, you will shift to eating more solid foods. To avoid kidney stones, dehydration, and constipation, make sure you drink at least 1.89 liters of fluids every day. Also, you must make it a habit to take supplements like vitamin D, iron, calcium, and vitamin B12. When you’re ready, you should eat more protein-rich foods. Although it may be difficult at first, you must limit your intake of refined starches and sugary foods. You will find that doing so can improve your weight loss outcome.
Getting Pregnant
If you are a woman who just had weight-loss surgery, you should use birth control techniques for two years following the procedure. Because your body doesn’t take the usual quantities of nutrients, your pregnancy may fail or result in birth defects.
Going Back to Work
Your physical condition and state of health determine the right time for you to go back to work. Some patients do so a couple of weeks after their weight-loss surgery. For others, it may take about six weeks to return to work and regular daily activities.
Changing Habits
Remember that your body will not be the same after your weight-loss surgery. As part of your new lifestyle, you should make regular exercise and calorie counting routine practices. You must have a personal commitment to maintain the results of your procedure.
Weight-loss surgery is only the beginning of your journey toward overall health. You should maintain your results with discipline and openness to changes. At the Laparoscopic Surgical Center of New York, we always guide our patients as they go through our safe surgical procedures. For an in-person consultation, please visit our clinic in New York, NY. You can also call us at 212-879-6677 to schedule your appointment or for inquiries about our weight-loss surgery packages.
