Weight loss surgery is a way for overweight people to lose at least 80 to 100 pounds. Several types of bariatric surgeries exist, ranging from the well-known gastric bypass to the less invasive laparoscopic gastric banding. If you've recently undergone a bariatric procedure or are planning to do so, you can beat post-surgery weight gain by implementing a lifestyle change. Although you should expect to gain back a small amount of weight, especially if you opt for a restrictive procedure like gastric bypass, sleeve or lap band, you can maintain your weight loss through preparation.
Step 1
Put a stop to binge eating long before your intended surgery. According to an April 2007 study published in "Obesity Surgery," binge eating before treatment resulted in poorer weight loss in obese patients.
Step 2
Start losing weight immediately, and don't wait for your surgery. Don't expect your surgery to solve all your weight loss problems. Shifting your regimen to include physical activity will not only facilitate weight loss but also make your chances of keeping it off higher. A 2006 study published in "Annals of Surgery" found that less obese people had a 15 percent higher chance of keeping the weight off than those who weighed more.
Step 3
Kick any bad habits. Food addiction is already a detriment to your health. If you have any drug or alcohol problems to boot, this can potentially complicate your surgery and lead to weight gain. Seek professional help, such as counseling and rehabilitation.
Step 4
Visit your doctor regularly. Nothing is more important than following the guidance and recommendation of your physician and surgeon. Whether it's two days or two years after surgery, your doctor can help monitor your weight and help keep you on track.
Step 5
Join a support group. Often, severe weight gain indicates an underlying psychological issue. A support group can help you deal with problems in a healthy manner instead of reverting to food. In fact, an April 2008 study published in "Obesity Surgery" found that patients who participated in a support group had a 10 percent lower body mass index than those who did not.
Step 6
Ask a nutritionist or dietitian for advice. Developing proper meals and an eating schedule can be difficult. A nutritionist or dietitian can help construct meal plans that work for both your weight loss goals and taste.
References
- MedlinePlus: Weight Loss Surgery
- "Obesity Surgery"; Support Group Meeting Attendance is Associated with Better Weight Loss; W.S. Orth, et al.; April 2008
- MedlinePlus: Obesity
- "Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology"; Gastrojejunal Stoma Diameter Predicts Weight Regain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypasss; Barharm Abu Dayyeh, et al.; March 2011
- "Obesity Surgery"; Eating Behavior as a Prognostic Factor for Weight Loss After Gastric Bypass; P.C. Sallet, et al.; April 2007
- "Annals of Surgery"; Weight Gain After Short- and Long-Limb Gastric Bypass in Patients Followed for Longer Than 10 Years; Nicolas Christou, M.D., et al.; November 2006
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