Q&A: What to expect after bariatric surgery
Bariatric specialists will provide meal plans and nutrition guidelines to follow to help patients stick to a recommended diet.
Q: What will life after bariatric surgery look like?
A: Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss option for those facing severe obesity who have not been able to lose weight through other means.
The two most common types of bariatric surgery are sleeve gastrectomy, which removes 75% to 80% of the stomach, and gastric bypass, which involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine. Other minimally invasive techniques can get patients back to their normal lives, recovering quicker than previously possible.
Regardless of the type of bariatric surgery chosen, recommended lifestyle changes following surgery remain similar.
Experts provide patients with a structured diet for the weeks and months following surgery.
For two weeks: A liquid diet is recommended. Protein shakes, broths and juices are popular options during this phase.
After two weeks: Patients should begin the pureed diet stage. All food in this stage should be naturally soft or able to be blended. Eggs, beans, yogurt and soup are recommended. The pureed diet stage should last six to eight weeks.
After six to eight weeks: The bariatric soft diet allows for anything soft and easily digestible. Common foods to avoid include tough meats, raw vegetables, bread, pasta and rice. This stage should last until six months after surgery.
Patients should then begin reintroducing all types of food while maintaining low-carb and low-fat diets. Bariatric specialists will provide meal plans and nutrition guidelines to follow to help patients stick to a recommended diet.
Both diet and exercise are vital for the long-term success of bariatric surgery. Bariatric specialists stress the importance of exercise immediately after surgery; usually patients sit up in their chair and walk around in the first day or two after surgery. The sooner that patients are on their feet and moving, the quicker the recovery.
For four to six weeks after surgery, people should not perform heavy exercise, nor should they lift anything over 15 pounds to prevent risk of complications, including a hernia. Recommended exercises during this stage include walking, climbing steps, and lifting light dumbbells. After six weeks, patients usually have no exercise restrictions. A workout regimen is encouraged to maintain a consistent level of activity.
Patients should not expect to return to work in the first week after surgery. Those who work remotely or in an office setting should be able to return in a week or two. Those who have jobs involving frequent lifting or manual labor should expect to return after six weeks.
Follow-up visits with bariatric specialists are essential for a successful postoperative experience. Specific timelines vary from program to program; generally, follow-ups occur once within the first two weeks after surgery, then again within two months, six months and 12 months after surgery. After the first year, patients should follow up with a specialist at least once a year.
Support groups also are recommended after surgery. Patients are able to discuss their diet and exercise challenges and successes with others who understand their situation. Any source of support can provide encouragement to stay on track and can reduce anxiety after surgery.
Talk to your doctor if you are interested in learning more about bariatric surgery.
Abhiman Cheeyandira is the director of bariatric surgery and chairman of surgery at Nazareth Hospital.