Life After Weight Loss Surgery: How to Maintain Your Results

Weight loss surgery is an excellent first step toward a lifetime of lower weight and better health. But it's only a first step. After you have weight loss surgery, it's important to make lifestyle choices that help you maintain your results.

Regaining weight isn't just a cosmetic issue. If you start gaining lost pounds, your risk of weight-related health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis, can go up. 

But by making smart choices after your surgery, you can achieve and maintain a healthy weight long into the future.

At Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics in Atlanta, Georgia, our providers give you plenty of information about what you can do to maintain your weight loss success long after your surgery. Read on for a taste of some of the steps we help you take.

Step 1: Eat well

Our staff nutritionists educate you about how to eat for weight loss maintenance. We provide guidance on a range of points, including:

• What to eat
• What to avoid
• When to eat
• How much to eat
• How much fluid to drink
• When and when not to drink fluids
• How to deal with cravings

We offer each of our surgical patients nutritional counseling that helps identify and correct poor eating habits, adjust eating strategies, and create meal plans that support your weight goals. 

Your nutritionist gives you specific dietary advice personalized to meet your needs. Be sure to ask your surgeon, nurse, or nutritionist if you have questions about your diet.

Step 2: Exercise regularly

Being active is a fantastic way to maintain weight loss after bariatric surgery. It burns calories, tones muscles, helps regulate blood sugar, gives you energy, and helps boost your mood.

For long-term benefits, aim for at least 30 minutes of activity five or more days per week. If you're out of shape, it's fine to start small with just a few minutes of walking, jogging, cycling, or stair climbing each day. Add more exercise over time, working your way up as you improve your fitness.

In addition to aerobic exercise, aim to lift weights a couple of times a week. Weightlifting builds muscle, which revs up calorie burn and benefits your bone health. In addition, flexibility training such as stretching or yoga helps lengthen and loosen your muscles.

Step 3: Seek support

Emotional support can come from friends, family, or support groups. Our practice offers support groups that meet several times a month. During these meetings, participants share ideas and discuss strategies for managing their hunger and dealing with concerns that arise.

Reach and maintain your weight loss goals

Our providers here at Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics enjoy working with our patients to create  long-term customized plans for losing weight and keeping it off. To schedule an evaluation, contact us to request an appointment.