Many people have weight loss surgeries these days, they are extremely common. In fact, in 2018, over 252,000 procedures were performed in the USA alone according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (The ASMBS). Whether this is your first time reading about or considering this type of procedure, or you are certain that you will have one done, you may be wondering how you should prepare for such a surgery. In this article, we will discuss our top tips for preparing for weight loss surgery, as recommended by experts. Read on to find out more.
1. Research The Procedures
It’s definitely best to first understand the procedures, how they work, and how they will affect your body. As the experts over at Tijuana Bariatric Center explain, “Preparing to undergo surgery is an integral step of a successful recovery”. We couldn’t agree more, understanding what’s to come, and knowing how to deal with it puts you in a great place for success during and post-surgery.
There are a couple of main types of bariatric procedures. We will briefly discuss them here, but again recommend you do some more in-depth research to better understand the duration of surgery, recovery time, and more. Gastric Sleeve surgery involves resecting a large section of your stomach, leaving you with a sleeve-shaped smaller stomach area. This helps you feel fuller more quickly and for longer. Gastric Bypass surgery also resects a section of the stomach but also connects your stomach to a shorter length of intestine. This means you absorb fewer calories, creating dramatic weight loss results. Many of the procedures can be done laparoscopically in modern times, meaning much less invasive surgery, little scarring, and a quicker recovery.
2. Talk To A Medical Professional
Although we have briefly described the types of surgery, you should always reach out to your family physician or a qualified surgeon before booking in for such a procedure. You need to be totally sure that a medical professional deems you suitable for this type of surgical intervention, so always seek professional advice. On top of this article, a doctor will give you the absolute best advice for your own body and progress. They will also be able to reassure you on which procedure is most suitable for you, giving you peace of mind and confidence to move forward.
3. Start Dieting In Advance
Now, this may not be the exact news you want to hear, but let us explain. While you may have already tried many diets in your weight-loss journey so far, this is more aimed at helping you succeed afterward. If you start focusing now on eating three healthy meals a day with lots of protein and veggies (the way you will be asked to eat post-surgery), you will find eating after your procedure far more satisfying. These types of foods help you feel satiated and full of energy when on lower calorie consumption.
4. Take Up Exercise
Again, bear with us! We are not asking you to start running marathons this week, but simply to start taking up some regular exercise if you do not already. This can be anything ranging from taking a short walk each day and building up to longer walks, or a low impact home exercise for 10-15 minutes a day. The fitter your cardiovascular system is when you go for surgery, the better your body will deal with anesthetic and surgery.
5. Quit Smoking
This is a simple one. If you are currently a smoker or using any nicotine products it is far better to quit these before surgery. Smoking and the use of nicotine have been shown to increase complications and mortality rates in all surgeries. Again, your doctor can assist you with quitting, if you need it.
6. Consider Your Mental Health
Finally, and most importantly, think about yourself. This is quite a journey you are about to embark on. Surgery, change in eating habits, and plenty more. Think about how weight has affected your life and how losing it may improve your mental health. Enlist the help and support of friends and colleagues if necessary. Prepare yourself for the journey and you’ll prepare yourself for success.
This concludes our 6 most important tips for preparing for your bariatric surgical procedure. Most of all, remember to research the procedure and seek professional advice before booking yourself in. When you decide to go ahead with a weight-loss surgery we wish you the best of luck and health in your weight-loss journey.
