Life after bariatric surgery is different. You must change your eating habits and adopt an exercise regimen. However, these things don’t happen overnight—they take time as well as trial and error. Fortunately, we have some great tips for making lifestyle changes after bariatric surgery that can help you.
Create a Workout Routine
After you fully recover from bariatric surgery, create a workout routine. Regular exercise will help you maintain long-term weight loss while encouraging full-body movement. If you’re new to exercise, create a routine that’s feasible for you. Maybe brisk walking and light weight training will work. Perhaps swimming and biking are the way to go. Regardless of your choice, make sure you get active!
Cook Nutritious Meals
One of the biggest changes in your post-surgery life is nutrition. After surgery, you had to adopt a liquid diet that transitioned into solid foods. Now, you must strive to incorporate protein, vegetables, and grains into your meals. The best way to achieve this balanced diet is by cooking your meals rather than eating out. Although many restaurants have healthy menu items, cooking your meals will allow you to control the exact ingredients and preparation methods.
Seek a Support System
Support after bariatric surgery is a significant part of making lifestyle changes. People can motivate and encourage you to eat nutritious meals, exercise, and stay confident in your journey. If you’re looking for relatable support, you can join a weight loss support group. In fact, making new connections is among the best reasons to join a support group after weight loss surgery. You can meet many different people on journeys similar to yours.
Drink Water Throughout the Day
Dehydration is a leading cause of hospital readmission after bariatric surgery. You can avoid this by drinking water throughout the day. However, it’s important to note that drinking water too quickly or drinking too much at one time may make you feel nauseous. It’s best to take a few sips of water every 30 minutes and to carry a water bottle with you to encourage hydration. If you want to enhance your water’s flavor, you can add lemon, lime, or orange slices.
Life after bariatric surgery is different. You must change your diet and create an exercise routine. However, these things don’t happen overnight, and fully adapting to your new way of life will take time. If you’re feeling stuck or don’t know where to begin, refer to our tips for making lifestyle changes after bariatric surgery.
