Weight loss surgery is a tool to help people who are significantly overweight or obese lose weight and keep it off. Research shows that people who are obese may be resistant to long-term weight loss by diet and exercise alone, meaning it may be nearly impossible for these individuals to maintain weight loss over time without the help of weight loss surgery.
But weight loss surgery is not designed to work alone, and without a commitment to making healthy lifestyle changes including diet and exercise, many bariatric patients may struggle to lose weight after surgery, or may experience weight regain. Patients who approach bariatric surgery as a tool to help them achieve their goals or expectations — rather than a “quick fix” — are likely to be more successful at losing weight and keeping it off.
But perhaps you’ve had weight loss surgery and aren’t satisfied with your weight loss results. Maybe you’ve gained back some of the weight you initially lost after surgery. Don’t lose hope. There are options available to help you get back on track with your weight loss so you’ll love the way you look and feel. Here are a few strategies to help you find success on your weight loss journey.
Keep your post-op appointments.
One of the biggest mistakes bariatric patients make is failing to keep up with their post-op appointments. Attending these appointments with your surgeon are key to helping you stay on track with your post-op diet and ensure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs after surgery.
Take advantage of post-op support.
Most bariatric surgeons offer their patients a variety of post-op support services including nutritional counseling, fitness training, psychological support groups and more. Talk to your doctor to learn more about available support services, and don’t wait any longer to get involved. Surrounding yourself with a strong support system — from health professionals to family — is essential to weight loss success.
Try a reset diet.
Even after bariatric surgery, your stomach stretches to accommodate the amount of food you eat and then retracts to its normal size after the food leaves the stomach. If you’ve found that you’ve gradually increased the amount of food you consume in a meal since your weight loss surgery, chances are you’ve stretched your stomach or pouch so you’ll feel less full with smaller amounts of food.
A reset diet can help get your stomach back to its normal size by strictly reducing your food intake. While you can follow this diet on your own, it is recommended that you do a reset with the guidance of your bariatric surgeon or dietitian.
Consider bariatric revision surgery.
Every weight loss operation has limitations, and weight regain can occur for a variety of reasons after bariatric surgery. Sometimes weight regain may be due to a treatable medical condition. If a comprehensive medical evaluation does not reveal a non-surgical cause of weight regain, surgical revision is an option. Some common revisional procedures include band-to-sleeve revision, bypass-to-sleeve revision and sleeve-to-bypass or duodenal switch. If you think you may be a candidate for revision surgery, contact McCarty Weight Loss Center today. Dr. McCarty has more than 20 years of experience performing surgical revisions.
It’s important to remember that weight loss doesn’t happen overnight. You didn’t gain the weight overnight, and you won’t lose it overnight, either. While weight loss surgery can help expedite what is often a long and frustrating process, it isn’t intended to work alone.
Talk to your nutritionist about the foods you should eat and vitamins you need to take. Sign up for a gym membership, join a fitness bootcamp or work with a personal trainer for accountability in your fitness. Most importantly, don’t wait to reach out and ask for help if you are unsatisfied or frustrated with your weight loss after bariatric surgery. You don’t have to do this alone.
