Knowledge is Power

Posted: Jun 22 in Weight Loss Blog by Staff

Before embarking on your weight loss surgery journey, you need to be prepared. Your weight loss surgeon will assist you to physically get ready for your procedure by advising you to start making dietary changes, and specifically to follow particular guidelines in the days and weeks leading up to your operation date. However, there is one form of preparation that can be more easily overlooked—education.

Studies consistently show that those who are well-prepared for the lifestyle changes required after weight loss surgery are more successful at both losing weight and keeping it off long term. Developing a healthier lifestyle requires a whole-body approach to wellness—one that involves emotional, psychological and physical changes. Being properly educated about your weight loss surgery procedure can help you with this process.

The Need to Know

Every type of bariatric procedure is different. Whether you are planning to undergo Lap Band surgery, gastric bypass or a sleeve gastrectomy procedure, there are different precautions that you need to take that are unique to your individual circumstances. Your weight loss surgeon can provide you with the essential bits of information during your scheduled appointments, but it is up to you to take that as a starting point and continue your education. Seminars and support groups can help with this process, as you can speak with others who have had similar experiences and are doing their own research as well.

Keeping a journal in the weeks leading up to your weight loss surgery can help you keep track of the changes you are making, those you are expecting to make and any questions that you still need to find answers to. Asking the right questions leading up to your surgical date can make a big difference in how prepared you are for weight loss surgery.

Here are a few questions to consider:

• How exactly is my diet going to change?
• For my weight and height, how much weight should I plan on losing after the first month, six months and year after my surgical date?
• What changes in prescription medicine use should I make before surgery? What about after surgery?
• What kind of goals should I set in the weeks leading up to my surgery?
• How much activity should I attempt in the days, weeks and month following my bariatric surgery?
• What is my new normal going to feel like?

These are just a few of the common questions that you will find people asking on bariatric surgery forums as they prepare for weight loss surgery. The weeks before your operation are a valuable time period. You can make the most out of the adjustment phase of your weight loss plan by becoming as educated as possible about losing weight with surgery for weight loss. When you realize you don’t know something, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Bass.