{"id":418,"date":"2021-04-29T11:06:15","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T11:06:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alabariatrics.com\/?p=418"},"modified":"2021-04-29T11:06:39","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T11:06:39","slug":"15-things-you-can-do-to-prepare-for-bariatric-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alabariatrics.com\/15-things-you-can-do-to-prepare-for-bariatric-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Things You Can Do to Prepare for Bariatric Surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"

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15 Things You Can Do to Prepare for Bariatric Surgery<\/h3>\n

Before you think of getting an\u00a0affordable weight loss surgery, you need to qualify for the procedure and understand the important considerations you need to make. An adult who is eligible for this surgery is usually overweight by over 100 pounds. However, an easier estimate is the Body Mass Index (BMI). Typically, individuals getting an\u00a0affordable bariatric surgery\u00a0have a BMI over 35.<\/p>\n

That said, you can also be eligible for the surgery if you have a\u00a0BMI between 30 to 35. People who usually go for the procedure have tried to lose weight in the past and haven\u2019t been successful. This string of bad luck starts to affect their health adversely, which makes an\u00a0affordable weight loss surgery in Alabama\u00a0all the more important (source:\u00a0American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery<\/a>).<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also essential to understand that if you\u2019re certain you want to go through the procedure, you\u2019ll have to change your dietary habits holistically. Your new, improved and healthier diet will ensure the positive effects of the surgery last for a lifetime. Once you\u2019re done with the surgery, your doctor (or your nutritionist) will create a general diet plan for you.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0post-surgery meal plan\u00a0will usually have phases that\u2019ll span out in the weeks after the procedure. This will help you recover, get used to healthier eating habits, and meet all of the needs of your new and smaller stomach. But before you decide to go through the procedure, there are certain things you\u2019ll\u00a0have\u00a0<\/em>to do to ensure you\u2019re ready.<\/p>\n

Things You Can Do to Prepare for an Affordable Weight Loss Surgery<\/h1>\n

1. Learn All You Can About the Procedure<\/h2>\n

When you know what to expect, you can have mental peace. To ensure you know as much as possible about the\u00a0bariatric surgery procedure,\u00a0read books, visit several websites, listen to podcasts and make sure you\u2019re informed about what\u2019s going to happen. Talking to other people who have gone through the procedure will give you a better idea of the lifestyle changes you can expect, and the associated risks.<\/p>\n

2. Understand\u00a0Why\u00a0<\/em>You Eat<\/h2>\n

One of the most important things you need to do is to know\u00a0why\u00a0<\/em>you get hungry. The\u00a0bariatric surgery procedure\u00a0will make your stomach smaller, and it will change how much you can eat in one sitting – but it won\u2019t change the way you think. Some people eat because of eating disorders, which are classified as\u00a0psychological<\/strong>\u00a0problems. So if you\u2019re eating for reasons apart from hunger, like boredom, habit, stress or emotion, you have to change the way you think about food.<\/p>\n

Start by building a safe environment around yourself that helps you weed out the pointless eating habits. Don\u2019t keep your food on the counter, eat from a plate rather than a package, and try not to get distracted when you\u2019re having food.<\/p>\n

3. Cope With Stress Without\u00a0<\/em>Food<\/h2>\n

For several people, eating is a way of coping with the heavy emotions they feel. After the\u00a0bariatric surgery procedure,since people are advised to stay away from food, it can feel like as if they\u2019ve lost a friend. However, because these people are unaware of the ways they can cope with stress without food, these unhealthy habits persist. For starters, the first thing you can do is to always keep your hands busy. Paint, go to the gym, play a video game just never let your hands sit idle.<\/p>\n

Run all the errands you can find and go for a walk. Make a list of the people who can support you through your recovery process and meet them often. Whether it\u2019s your family, friends or colleagues, everyone should know about journey you\u2019re stepping foot on. If you know a person who has gone through the procedure before, ask them what their mentor did for them.<\/p>\n

4. Try Not to Compare Yourself with Others<\/h2>\n

Every person who goes through an\u00a0affordable weight loss surgery\u00a0has stories of their own. They all have their share of challenges which they overcame successfully. It\u2019s important you know that everyone loses weight at different speeds with the help of varying strategies.<\/p>\n

When a person heavier than you starts losing weight, they have more weight to lose. Therefore, they find it a bit easier to lose weight. So keep your sights set on what you\u00a0can\u00a0<\/em>control rather than what you\u00a0can\u2019t<\/em>. Set a strategy and give it your best. Remember, you\u2019re only competing with the person you were yesterday!<\/p>\n

5. Try to Eat On a Schedule<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re done with\u00a0your\u00a0bariatric surgery, you\u2019ll need\u00a0to consume a protein based diet. This will consist of meals that you\u2019ll need to have every 3 hours. If you\u2019re not already eating this way\u00a0before\u00a0<\/em>the surgery, making the transition to mini-meals later on might seem a tad bit challenging.<\/p>\n

Create a plan of what you want to eat and when. Food preparation is one of the most effective ways you can stay on track. It doesn\u2019t matter where you\u2019re going, always keep balanced meals, healthy snacks, and protein shakes with you at all times.<\/p>\n

This might seem like a lot but the end-result is going to be worth it!<\/p>\n

6. Stay In the Know (Progress Report)<\/h2>\n

After you\u2019re done with the\u00a0bariatric surgery procedure, losing weight and completely changing your lifestyle in the first year will be the easy part. However, the more challenging bit is ensuring that you don\u2019t gain any of the weight back.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re following up on the progress with a report, you know where you\u2019re headed. Moreover, good follow-ups also let you form a strong bond with your bariatric team, allowing you to share your challenges and motivation. Make a habit of constantly checking your blood for any vitamin deficiencies.<\/p>\n

The process is unique and you\u2019re going to be a patient\u00a0forever.\u00a0<\/em>But with the right team helping you through the process, even the bumpiest of rides can feel joyous.<\/p>\n

7. You May Feel Left Out At Social Gatherings<\/h2>\n

You may be surprised when you get to know how food plays a major role in our life and personality. So when you start changing what you eat, you also change the person you are indefinitely. When you begin going through the process, start to identify the changes you see and communicate them with all relevant stakeholders \u2013 family, friends, colleagues and significant others.<\/p>\n

8. Your Water Bottle Is Your Third Arm!<\/h2>\n

One of the most prominent post-operations concerns between patients is dehydration. It won\u2019t be possible for you to drink large amounts of water in one go which is why you should focus on sipping small amounts throughout the\u00a0whole<\/em>day.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t drink water for one hour, it may be difficult for you to make up for that lost time. Additionally, your stomach is going to be prime real estate after\u00a0the\u00a0bariatric surgery.\u00a0So during your meal times, give protein priority and practice\u00a0not\u00a0<\/em>drinking water when you\u2019re eating something.<\/p>\n

9. Hold Yourself Accountable<\/h2>\n

Most people who are able to lose weight successfully are always tracking something. Whether it\u2019s the amount of proteins they consume, the fluids they intake, their steps, their weight or their exercise, they\u2019re always in the know.<\/p>\n

One other way you can measure progress is by keeping your meals in jars or boxes. Ensure that the size of the box stays the same everyday and you\u2019re always consuming a consistent amount of calories. When you\u2019re honest with yourself, losing weight gets a lot easier.<\/p>\n

10. Eat As If You\u2019ve Already Had the Surgery<\/h2>\n

In simpler words, when you\u2019re having a meal, slow down and chew. The digestion process works quite differently after the bariatric surgery procedure. The stomach isn\u2019t going to churn and mix the food as much as it did, and you\u2019re going to have less digestive enzymes and gastric acid to aid the digestion procedure. So before you decide to swallow, use your teeth to break down your bites into tiny pieces. If you don\u2019t, you\u2019re going to regret it!<\/p>\n

11. Quit Smoking<\/h2>\n

If you smoke, quit and discontinue the use of all nicotine and tobacco related products. Research had repeatedly proven that smoking not only increases the process of weight gain, but it also causes added complications during the\u00a0bariatric surgery procedure recovery process.\u00a0Some\u00a0bariatric clinics\u00a0across America require their patients to be nicotine-free for a minimum time period of 3 months before they\u2019re educated about what the procedure entails.<\/p>\n

12. Focus On Your Mental Health<\/h2>\n

You also need to think about the different factors that have contributed to your weight gain and the way they change your life. Think about how ready you are for the procedure and the way your life will change after it. Create a journal in which you write down all of the healthy and productive changes you\u2019re making in your life.<\/p>\n

Ask your support group to help you find healthy snacks that won’t negatively impact your weight. Remember, after you\u2019re done with the\u00a0affordable weight loss surgery, the lifestyle changes will take time and you\u2019re going to take little steps every day.<\/p>\n

Set realistic and time-bound goals.<\/p>\n

13. Commit to Not\u00a0<\/em>Gaining Extra Weight<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s no point in trying to\u00a0prepare for bariatric surgery\u00a0if you\u2019re still gaining weight. The least you can do is to stop yourself from gaining weight if you\u2019re having a hard time losing it. Try not to have a good meal \u201cone last time\u201d since you think you\u2019re going to make changes later on. At a time like this, your bariatric surgery team will discuss your pre-surgery weight loss goals in detail with you.<\/p>\n

14. Re-Imagine the Relationship Between You and Food<\/h2>\n

Start thinking about food as fuel for your body. Pay close attention to how your body reacts when you\u2019ve consumed something and don\u2019t\u00a0only\u00a0<\/em>eat something just because it tastes good. Improve your awareness for the external cues and the satiation signs. Try not to get distracted and savor what you\u2019re eating. We know it might be hard, but try your absolute best to get rid of reactive eating.<\/p>\n

15.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Take Pictures!<\/h2>\n

The most fun part of the process.<\/p>\n

Before you start your journey for weight loss, take pictures of yourself from as many angles as possible and if you can, measure the dimensions of body parts like:<\/p>\n