Life After Bariatric Surgery (Obesity Surgery) - Dallas, Texas
To maximize the results of bariatric surgery, it is necessary to embrace a new, healthier lifestyle. Following any type of obesity surgery, our patients will have to make a significant adjustment to their daily routine, including their diet. This page features post bariatric surgery diet guidelines, as well as general information about recovery and expected weight loss. For a further discussion of what to expect after obesity surgery, please contact our bariatric surgery center in Dallas, Texas.
- Post Bariatric Surgery Hospital Stay
- Returning to Work
- Diet
- Immediately Following Bariatric Surgery
- Expected Weight Loss Following Bariatric Surgery
- Lifelong Post Bariatric Surgery Diet Guidelines
Post Bariatric Surgery Hospital Stay
Following obesity surgery, patients will remain at a Dallas County hospital for one to two days, depending on which procedure they undergo. Please contact Dr. Barker for more information about your hospital stay.
Returning to Work
The amount of recovery time you will need before returning to work depends on a number of factors, including the type of bariatric surgery you had, your physical condition, and the nature of your work. Most patients are able to resume pre-surgery levels of activity within six weeks, though some can return to activities within just a few weeks of bariatric surgery. During a follow-up visit at our Texas practice, we can discuss the timing for your eventual return to work.
Diet
Patients who have undergone obesity surgery must be extremely careful about their diet, eat slowly, and chew their food thoroughly. Please read below for detailed post bariatric surgery diet guidelines.
Immediately Following Bariatric Surgery
Soon after obesity surgery, we allow our Dallas area patients to drink low-sugar, non-carbonated clear liquids and then low-sugar non-carbonated full liquids. Your first meals will consist of only pureed foods that are the consistency of baby food. Dr. Barker will tell you when you can eat solid food. It is important that you follow your specified meal plan to avoid possible problems associated with bariatric surgery, including blockages.
Expected Weight Loss Following Bariatric Surgery
The exact amount of weight you will lose after undergoing obesity surgery depends on many factors, including how well you adhere to dietary guidelines and how much you exercise. It is important that you have realistic expectations about the amount of weight you will lose. Not everyone who undergoes obesity surgery at our bariatric surgery center in Dallas, Texas will reach their ideal body weight, though many are able to reach a much healthier weight.
Weekly Weight Loss – It is possible for some patients to lose two to three pounds a week in the first year after bariatric surgery, though one pound a week is more likely. Twelve to eighteen months after bariatric surgery, weight loss is usually less.
Long Term Weight Loss Pattern – Once again, long-term weight loss varies from person to person. However, there is a general pattern it often follows. Usually, patients experience the most rapid weight loss during the six months immediately following any type of obesity surgery. Weight loss often reaches a maximum at 12 to 18 months after bariatric surgery. At this point, many of our Texas patients go through a slight rebound period where they regain some of the weight they had previously lost. This typically occurs because the body learns to retain more calories from smaller amounts of food. At about 24 to 36 months after bariatric surgery, the body tends to stabilize, and patients are often able to maintain their weight.
Gastric Bypass Surgery vs. LAP-BAND® Surgery –
Though both types of bariatric surgery can help patients lose weight, each method is characterized by a slightly different pattern of weight loss. The primary difference is that patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery tend to lose weight faster in the first year. However, after five years, many LAP-BAND® surgery patients achieve weight loss that equals that of gastric bypass patients. Therefore, it is important for all patients to focus on long-term weight loss with obesity surgery rather than early weekly or monthly weight loss. Patients should initially return to our bariatric surgery center in Dallas, Texas once a month for weight loss monitoring following surgery.
Lifelong Post Bariatric Surgery Diet Guidelines
The following are dietary guidelines you must follow for life. Failing to do so can be detrimental to your weight loss and your overall health. Your specific post obesity surgery dietary plan will be discussed during your consultation at our bariatric surgery center in Dallas, Texas.
Eat Slowly –You should try to eat food very slowly (take 30 to 40 minutes to finish a meal).
Chew Food Thoroughly – Food should be chewed until it is the consistency of baby food. When you eat meat, you should cut it into very small pieces and chew it very well. Failure to chew food thoroughly can lead to stomach blockage.
Avoid Drinking Liquid with Meals – Do not drink liquid with your meals. Between meals, drink water or low calorie beverages to prevent dehydration.
Take Nutritional Supplements – Since you may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals naturally, it is important that you take nutritional supplements to stay healthy.
Eat Three Meals a Day – Try to eat three meals a day and avoid skipping meals.
Avoid Overeating – Overeating can slow weight loss, promote stretching of your stomach pouch, and make you sick.
Avoid High Calorie & High Fat Food and Drink – High fat foods (such as fried food and ice cream) and high sugar foods (such as cake and candy) should be avoided. LAP-BAND® surgery patients should be careful to avoid high-calorie and high-fat drinks because they will go through the small stomach opening and stall weight loss.
To find out more about what to expect following obesity surgery, contact our bariatric surgery center in Dallas, Texas.
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If you are considering obesity surgery, please contact our bariatric surgery center in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Wade Barker
1151 North Buckner Blvd
Professional Bldg #1, Suite #308
Dallas, Texas 75218
Phone: (866) 880-1444
click here for a map and directions to our office
A body mass index (BMI) of 20-25 is considered normal, 25-30 overweight, and 30-40 obese. Individuals with a BMI over 40 are considered morbidly obese. You may be a candidate for weight loss surgery if you have a BMI of 40 or more or if you have a BMI between 35 and 39.9 and a serious obesity-related health problem.