Let’s face it — self-confidence is a critical factor in a normal human being’s life. True, whether in the company of friends, attending an interview, or on a first date, we all need the required confidence for successful and effective communication.
Indeed, if you are skeptical about your appearance, chances are you might not be your real self. Among some of the most common factors that significantly impact an individual’s self-confidence are weight issues.
Luckily, with the current advancements in technology, it’s possible to perform bariatric surgery and rectify the situation. Note that, unlike any other form of treatment, surgery is a critical operation that might, sometimes, affect you mentally. For this reason, you need to ensure you’re mentally prepared before deciding on undertaking the surgery.
Below are five tips to help you live a healthy life after bariatric surgery.
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Know What to Expect Realistically
Anticipating consequences is fundamental to ensure you aren’t caught by surprise. First, you should know that after bariatric surgery, you won’t wake up the next morning and find a considerable amount of weight gone.
You might even add some weight because of the accumulated fluid. This type of weight loss surgery does not present its results immediately.
Technically, bariatric surgery is like an internal tool resembling a smaller stomach that significantly works on helping an individual on his or her weight loss journey. If you don’t get results in at least six months, then you might have hit a plateau and will have to wait for up to one year to achieve success.
The essential thing is to recognize that weight loss is a journey that requires a ton of patience, time, and effort. Being prepared psychologically for the process ahead will not only help you stay on track but also give you hope and the strength not to give up.
Seek Support: Don’t Go at It Alone
If you’ve ever been in a surgery room, you’ll agree with me that it might be quite scary, especially for first-timers. For this reason, ensure you don’t go through the process alone. Recruit someone or have a close friend or family member as the primary care provider.
They will help you set your long-term goals as well as provide emotional support to help you stay motivated.
Rather than trying to do everything or learn the required process at once, it’s fundamental to consider your options and work on the ultimate goal. Of course, as mentioned earlier, weight loss is a process that might not happen overnight.
Below are some of the first steps you can include in your recovery process:
- Search and watch online webinars or seminars on weight loss
- Consider joining a support group
- Schedule sessions with your doctor
Know Your Food Addictions
Typically, you can be addicted to almost anything, including eating. Food addiction is one of the critical factors that contribute to unhealthy eating patterns which ultimately leads to obesity.
Bariatric surgery will do away with your food addiction. However, it won’t eliminate the emotional needs that food meets.
The majority of individuals are either obese due to stress eating or making wrong food choices. For this reason, it is imperative to understand your food addictions and work on broadening your perspective on long-term goals. You’ll need to define ways to limit your consumption or eat healthier.
Note that learning to manage your addiction is fundamental after a successful surgery because:
- Eating junk food will sabotage your long-term goal of losing weight
- Your food intake will be strictly monitored, at least for the first few months
- You’ll be required to eat slowly — an average meal should take at least 15 minutes
Ensure you put the following tips into consideration for successful weight loss surgery.
You Might Be Depressed
Typically, a normal human brain requires routines to perform at its top-notch condition. As a result, if a specific routine is altered abruptly, there are high chances that you might get depressed.
A successful Bariatric surgery is said to be 80% effective in the long run. However, success is only guaranteed if you focus on keeping your weight off.
In the first few months after surgery, your body will be recovering. Therefore, eating patterns will be restricted.
You might end up being depressed, which will be even harder to stay on track. Worse still, it might be even harder if you’re still struggling with food addiction.
The best way to ensure you keep on track is to seek the services of a counselor. They will help you develop a positive attitude required for the realization of the ultimate goal.
Know and Understand the Risks of Developing Other Addictions
In the event you’re overwhelmed by the recovery process, you might not only be depressed but also find yourself indulging in other activities that could lead to other addictions. For instance, the majority tend to get frustrated, especially if the results don’t happen quickly and seek solace in alcohol or tobacco.
Of course, alcohol and tobacco, like any other drug, can be addictive if abused. Nonetheless, what the majority of people don’t know is that alcohol is quite high on calories and reduces an individual’s inhibitions.
As a result, you’ll be susceptive to overreacting. You will also get intoxicated quicker, especially after surgery.
That’s not all! The use of tobacco will increase the chances of developing surgical complications (post-surgical stomach irritation), ulcers, and respiratory issues.
How’s Life After Bariatric Surgery?
The surgery is powerful in the realization of a successful weight loss. Life after bariatric surgery features many other additional benefits such as improved fertility, relief from obstructive sleep apnea, and even relief from joint pains.
Notably, weight loss is a journey, and bariatric surgery is just the beginning. It takes a ton of hard work to achieve success in weight loss. Ensure you put into consideration all the above factors and there is no doubt your success will be inevitable.
After losing a lot of weight, what next? Check out our blog post to learn how you can solve loose skin problems.