Preparing for Surgery
Once you decide to have bariatric surgery, you should start making the necessary lifestyle modifications required to reach your weight goals even before surgery. Surgery alone will not result in weight loss. Surgery is a tool. It is up to you to commit to lifelong healthy behaviors.
Start Making Dietary Changes
Start journaling your food intake
Reduce then eliminate junk foods
Stop drinking fluids with sugar/carbonation
Add a multivitamin
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Start Exercising
Start slow and progress
Goal: 4-6 times per week for at least 30+ minutes
Park further away at the store
Count your steps
Find activities that you enjoy!
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Explore Your Relationship with Food
Understand how you use food
Start keeping a food journal to record how you are feeling before and after meals/snacks
Find ways to handle your cravings
Build a Support System
Be honest with your family and friends about your bariatric journey
Utilize your multidisciplinary team
Join a bariatric support group
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How Maintaining a Strong Social Support System Can Help you Lose Weight
Attend Pre-Surgery Classes
Initial Nutrition Class
You will have an Initial Nutrition class that will be scheduled after your consultation appointment.
The purpose of this class is to help reframe how you think about food and progress into a "bariatric lifestyle". Practicing these lifestyle changes before surgery will set you up for smooth recovery and long-term success. This class provides an introduction to basic nutrition, including what key nutrients affect health, energy balance, and weight control. Participants will learn the basics of nutrition label reading, meal & snack planning, portion size control, and mindful eating.
Pre-Op Class
You will have a pre-op class with the Registered Nurse, Dietitian, and Surgeon. Patients will be given instructions on how to prepare for their upcoming surgery, including details about the hospital stay and information regarding a liquid diet required both before and after surgery.