Post-Surgery Instructions

Your Central Florida Weight Loss Surgery Recovery

Despite common misconceptions, bariatric surgery is not a quick-fix weight loss solution. In fact, the success of any bariatric procedure is largely dependent on how well the patient follows post-surgery instructions and guidelines. While weight loss surgery can help you get started on a journey to better health, it’s crucial that you commit to making major lifestyle changes if you wish to have long-term success.

Your Central Florida bariatric surgeon will provide you with a list of personalized post-surgery instructions. These will likely include a detailed dietary plan, recommended exercise routine, and vitamin/supplement regime. After surgery, you may be required to follow a liquid-only diet for a certain period of time before you are able to return to solid foods. Remember, weight loss surgery is a major medical event and you should expect to be unable to return to your old habits after the procedure.

To learn more, contact East Coast Bariatrics today. Our support staff is here to provide you with the post-surgery guidance you need.

Nutrition after Weight Loss Surgery

One of the most important factors in maintaining excess weight loss after bariatric surgery is committing to better nutrition. For the first week or so after your procedure, it’s important that you get enough fluids to avoid dehydration. Dehydration can lead to a few complications, such as kidney stones and constipation. Most patients need about 72 oz. or more of fluids each day. You may also be required to follow a liquid diet, followed by soft foods only before you are able to return to a more normal diet.

While your surgeon may recommend that you follow a specific nutritional regime for some time, it’s important that you don’t think of these changes as a “diet.” Many individuals think of diets as restrictive, temporary changes to eating habits. In order to remain successful after weight loss surgery, you’ll need to implement lifelong eating habit transformations. This can be a difficult and sometimes emotional process for many individuals, which is why the proper mental health care is also important after weight loss surgery. Read more about post-surgery mental health care below.

Supplements & Multivitamins after Weight Loss Surgery

Many bariatric procedures lead to reduce nutrient absorption. Because of this, patients are often required to begin a lifelong multivitamin and/or supplement regime.

Some of the most common daily supplements required for bariatric patients include:

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B12
• Iron
• Calcium
• Bariatric multivitamin

Your Bariatric Dietitian will provide you with specific dosage recommendations tailored to your unique needs. He or she will also likely recommend that you choose protein-rich foods and avoid sugars, especially added sugars, as well as refined carbohydrates.

Exercise after Weight Loss Surgery

Equally important as proper nutrition, exercise is a key factor in long-term weight loss success. Not only can regular exercise help you with weight management, it can also help ease or reduce a multitude of health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. Generally speaking, your exercise physiologist will recommend a mix of aerobic (think: cardio), resistance (think: strength training), and flexibility (think: stretching) exercises for optimal health and wellness. You’ll be able to begin light to moderate activities, such as walking, immediately after surgery, but you should avoid potentially strenuous exercise (such as weight lifting, sit-ups, push-ups, etc.) until your surgeon gives you the okay.

The proper amount of exercise is highly subjective. Your surgeon and support team will work with you to find the right fitness program for you. Most post-op patients are encouraged to take up 150 minutes of moderate activity a week. This can include anything from brisk walking to swimming to jogging, strength training, and more. As you begin to lose weight and gain muscle, your body will start to work more efficiently. Ultimately, this means you’ll burn fewer calories with the same exercises. Your surgeon can help you come up with a plan to increase the intensity and/or frequency of your fitness program.

Mental Health after Weight Loss Surgery

At East Coast Bariatrics, we understand that obesity is not purely a physical issue. Many of our patients also deal with various mental health issues as well. Additionally, weight loss surgery is a major change and the lifestyle and physical changes that occur afterward can require some serious adjustments.

Our multi-disciplinary team is on-hand to support you during the post-op process. We provide access to helpful information regarding stress, eating disorders, and more. We can also assist you in finding a mental health professional who can help you care for yourself while you remain on track with your weight loss goals, as well as support groups in your area.

Follow-Up Care

Proper follow-up care is incredibly important after weight loss surgery. In general, patients who attend post-op check-ins and follow-up appointments see greater long-term success than those who don’t. Our bariatric programs involve routine check-ups with our weight loss support staff. These check-ups are designed to help you stay on track and manage any unexpected obstacles that arise, such as weight plateaus, stress, nutritional deficiencies, and more.

At East Coast Bariatrics, we understand that weight loss surgery is a dramatic lifestyle change. Our entire staff offers compassionate, ongoing support and guidance that’s tailored to your unique situation. Our goal is to help you succeed—without judgment or criticism. We’re here to answer your questions and address your concerns throughout your entire recovery.

Contact our office today to learn more about our Central Florida weight loss solutions, as well as what you can expect from our post-op team!