Why lose weight before bariatric surgery?
Difficulty changing bad habits
Bariatric surgery has evolved immensely, and is now considered to be an extremely safe and reliable procedure. Data shows that death in association with diabetes, for example, is reduced 90% after bariatric surgery. If your doctor has helped you decide that bariatric surgery is right for you, it’s because the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.
Prepping for bariatric surgery: What’s necessary?
You can come to expect drastic dietary changes right after the operation, but what about before the operation? Think about it this way: Bariatric surgery is an extremely sudden change to your body and how it functions. As you prep for the surgery, your goal is to prevent shock, and to help your body become more equipped for the upcoming changes. Many doctors and dietitians recommend patients drop some pounds pre-operation, but why lose weight before surgery?
Why lose weight before bariatric surgery?
It’s not about the amount of lost weight before the surgery that counts; it’s how you work to lose that weight. If you improve your diet and eating habits before the operation, they’ll be more likely to stick once it’s finished. It will make such a drastic transition that much easier on your body. Typically, a doctor or dietitian will place a patient on a low-calorie high-protein diet, which is similar to how the recommended diet will be post-operation.
The sooner you address life-long eating habits, the better.
Not to mention, if the body becomes accustomed to a more balanced diet, recovery from bariatric surgery will be easier. A diet full of sugar and saturated fats will not help the body in any way when it comes to recovery.
Hypnosis as a useful lifestyle tool
To prepare your body and mind for the changes ahead, hypnosis can serve as a solid foundation to help you achieve your goals. Hypnosis for weight loss is not used with short-term goals in mind; it is meant to help those who are dedicated to a lifestyle change. This is why hypnosis can be helpful for those who are planning to undergo bariatric surgery. Not only will it be helpful in diet post-operation, but it will also prove beneficial for necessary prep work beforehand. Hearing that you should try to lose weight before the surgery can seem daunting, but hypnosis can bring you the confidence and stability you need.
What will a pre-operation diet look like?
This likely will depend on your surgeon. Some surgeons don’t even require a change in diet until just hours before the procedure, but many others recommend dietary changes for the reasons mentioned above.
General guidelines for a healthy diet include limiting dairy, choosing lean meats, avoiding fatty foods, choosing to eat fish such as tuna and omega-3-rich salmon, and mainly focusing on eating nutrient-dense foods as opposed to calorie-dense.
And remember: The most important part of any lifestyle change is the dedication to improving your habits. Studies show that most bariatric surgery patients keep the weight off long after the operation, so starting to modify your lifestyle as soon as possible will help you in the long run.