After bariatric surgery
Successful long-term weight loss depends on your dedication to a new lifestyle after your bariatric surgery. Your rate of weight loss will vary based on your commitment to making life-changing modifications to your eating and exercise routines.
In addition to the various behavior modifications that are important in your recovery, you must also:
- Commit to monthly follow up visits for the first year
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Eliminate all use of nicotine products
- Find ongoing support after your surgery through our online support groups
In order for you to understand your body after surgery, HonorHealth Bariatric Center has developed a Post-Operative Education seminar.
About a week after surgery, you will be required to attend a group session that will reinforce the established guidelines for optimal outcomes. These include:
- Psychological Fundamentals for Long Term Success
- Nutrition After Surgery
You should also refer to the nutrition and fitness guidelines in your patient handbook to ensure your post-operative success. During your post-operative class, we will guide you as a you eat your first meal of solid food and answer any questions you may have about nutrition, fitness and recovery.
Bariatric surgery follow-up visits
To help ensure your health and your success after surgery, follow up is essential. You'll return for a follow-up appointment one week after surgery in our office, then again at two months, six months and one year post surgery. After that, we would like to see you once a year as it is very important for you to keep up-to-date on nutrition and vitamin levels.
At each appointment, we will also check your overall physical condition and we will weigh and measure you with sophisticated equipment to calculate your body's water, fat and muscle make-up. If you have undergone the Adjustable Gastric Band procedure, we may also adjust the band during this visit.
We will also re-evaluate any medications you take to ensure they are still correct for you and we'll review your plan for taking multi-vitamins including B12 and iron and calcium supplements. In-office visits are also a good time to review any questions you have about your recovery, diet or exercise.
Online support group
To support you in your recovery, HonorHealth offers online support groups where you can interact with other bariatric surgery patients and staff, as well as post questions, comments or feedback.
This site is available to all registered HonorHealth bariatric surgery patients, both pre- and post-surgery.
A number of important topics will be discussed, regardless of your surgery status. The online support group helps you become educated about life after surgery, as well as anticipate behavior changes needed to ensure your success.