Thanks to medical advances, today patients can choose between a variety of bariatric surgery procedures as a tool to help meet their health goals. No matter if you’re considering Contrave discounts, sleep gastronomy, or another weight loss surgery, there are things you’ll want to know before, during, and after the surgery. By being prepared ahead of time and knowing what to expect, you can start your weight loss journey off on the right foot.
Here’s what you need to know about the entire weight loss surgery process.
Before Surgery
Before looking into weight loss surgery, it’s worth noting that there are certain requirements that you must meet in order to be approved. For example, you must typically have a BMI in the obese or morbidly obese categories before you can undergo surgery. Other common requirements include:
- History of failed past efforts to lose weight
- Serious weight-related health problems
- Non-smoker
- Willing to stick to post-surgery guidelines
If you believe you’re a candidate for weight loss surgery, it’s best to find a bariatric surgeon in the area who can help to determine the best way forward for you to meet your weight loss and overall health goals.
One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about weight loss surgery is that it’s a miracle worker. Others think it’s the easy way out and “cheating” in a sense. But, undergoing bariatric surgery doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to lose weight. In order to be successful in meeting your weight loss goals, you must stick with your diet and exercise program, along with taking the proper supplements needed to ensure your internal health. It takes a lot of discipline and perseverance to lose weight, even after surgery.
While going on a strict diet can be frustrating, many doctors require that their patients follow a strict pre-surgery diet to not only prove they can stick to a diet program, but also to properly prepare the body to undergo a serious surgery. By sticking to the diet, you can expect to lose a few pounds, which is a great way to start your weight loss journey.
During Surgery
Before undergoing surgery, your bariatric surgeon will likely discuss how the procedure works. Most weight loss surgeries can be done using a laparoscopic technique, which involves four or five small incisions versus one large one. Patients typically heal much faster with this form of surgery as the incisions heal quicker.
During surgery, you will undergo general anesthesia and be put to sleep. While you’re likely to wake up feeling quite groggy, some patients say that sleeping while under general anesthesia is some of the best sleep they’ve ever had!
Surgery can last anywhere from an hour to a few hours, depending on the procedure you’re undergoing as well as your overall health condition. After waking up, you will likely be tired and in some pain.
After Surgery
Once surgery is completed, you’re well on your way to your personal journey to losing weight. After waking up from anesthesia, you’re likely to be very tired and feeling some discomfort, especially around the incision area. Your doctor will prescribe you pain medication to make you more comfortable. Depending on your surgery and how well your body reacts after surgery, you may be able to go home a few hours after. Some patients need to spend a night or a few days in the hospital after surgery to receive close monitoring.
After you’re discharged from the hospital, the true work starts. First, you must focus on healing and getting back on your feet after surgery. This means sticking to your diet, eating plenty of protein, and taking any recommended supplements. Eating a lot of protein, resting, and staying hydrated can help speed up the healing process.
Most doctors recommend that you take a few weeks to heal. Once the incisions have closed and are much less painful, you can likely begin light exercise, such as walking. After a few weeks and you’re fully healed, you’ll want to put all of your focus and energy into following your meal and exercise plans.
When jumping into exercise, listen to your body. While you want to push yourself, some patients start exercising before their body is fully healed. If you experience any pain or discomfort, discuss this with your doctor.
Post-surgery it’s also important to stay in touch with your doctor. Many weight loss offices provide weekly support groups where you can discuss how things are going and create friendships with those who are undergoing a similar lifestyle change. Having access to a support group is important, especially when you’re not losing as quickly as you wanted or feeling tempted by bad food choices.
After weeks of sticking to the plan, you’re likely to see amazing results on the scale and in the mirror. The key is to keep going and to push through all the bumps in the road until you’ve met your ideal weight.
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