How Will My Body Change After Weight Loss Surgery?

Following bariatric surgery, your body will change a lot!  Some of those changes are expected (like weight loss), but others are not discussed as often and may surprise you.  Read on to learn about some of the ways your body may change after weight loss surgery!

The most obvious (and expected) bodily change is weight loss.  For most of us, the goal of bariatric surgery is to reduce our weight drastically.  With that weight loss comes excess skin.  Loose skin can be both physically and emotionally uncomfortable to deal with.  There is a variety of home, professional and surgical options to combat loose skin.  It’s up to you how much it bothers you and what strategy will be the best fit for your lifestyle.

With significant weight loss, your body proportions may change as well.  Perhaps you’ve always been pear-shaped or had a round face.  Significant weight loss can change our body and face shape dramatically.  As a result, our go-to styles may no longer suit us.  Clothing and hairstyles that you used to avoid might now become your most flattering options!  Don’t be afraid to experiment.

Your physical activity limitations will be affected as well.  As you lose fat and build muscle, you’ll have more endurance and range of motion.  Your joints will also become stronger.  One interesting side effect is a change in your center of gravity.  During the early days of rapid weight loss, you may find that you feel clumsier. This may be due to the shifting of your center of gravity.  Give yourself time and grace as you adjust to your new body.

One of the most surprising body changes you may notice is decreased tolerance to temperature changes.  You may find that you more easily get overly hot and cold when temperatures fluctuate.  It can take your body a while to learn how to effectively heat and cool itself after significant weight loss.  Be mindful of this during the summer and winter months, especially.  Ensure you’ve got appropriate layers and hydration as you can quickly become overheated or uncomfortably cold!

Remember that you want to give your body time to adjust during these weeks of significant physical change. By pushing too hard, you risk injuring yourself either through over-exercising or because of a fall. The last thing you want to do is be sidelined for weeks or even months because you tried to get to your goals more quickly. A slow and steady approach to weight loss is not only more sustainable but also healthier over the long term.

Adjusting to your new body can be challenging.  But remember, having to make these adjustments means your weight loss journey is a success!  Adjusting to new activity levels, styles, etc., is a small price to pay for the new lease on life you’ve gained!  Accept these changes as an exciting part of the process.

Amy is a 39-year-old gastric sleeve patient of Dr. Tsuda, living In Las Vegas, NV.  She is almost 2 years post-op and has lost over 145 pounds.  Through this weight loss journey, Amy has discovered a passion for health and fitness.  Now, she enjoys sharing her experiences to help others on their own journeys.