Snacking After Weight Loss Surgery

Let’s talk about the “s” word. No, not that one. Snacks! In the early days of eating solid foods after weight loss surgery, snacks will be vital for you to get enough calories and protein. Even a few bites of food will make you “Thanksgiving full!” So, it’s crucial to eat several times a day. You’ll have to remind yourself to eat, even when you don’t feel hungry!

But, as the years go by, our stomachs can accommodate more, and our diets liberalize. That means that snacks won’t be as important (or maybe not needed at all). This can be tricky because if we get accustomed to eating several times a day, we can forget that the calories creep up. Before you know it, your weight loss has stopped. Or maybe the number on the scale has started to climb back up gradually.

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How To Handle Sugar Cravings After WLS

If you’re like most of us, you’ve got a sweet tooth. Before my bariatric surgery, I was ALL about the sweets – cakes, ice cream, cookies, lattes, candy… you get the idea! And to be honest, bariatric surgery only tackles the stomach, not the brain. So, those cravings did not go away magically. Although bariatric surgery restricts how MUCH you can eat, it’s certainly not a cure-all for cravings. Here are some tips for when those old cravings creep their way back in.

One of the exciting and lesser-known side effects of bariatric surgery for some people is a change of tastes and preferences. Things you used to love might suddenly taste unappealing. Or something that you never cared for might become a new favorite. It’s possible (but not very likely) that you may not like sugary things anymore.

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Bariatric Friendly Foods

In your post-bariatric surgery life, knowing what foods are best for you can be overwhelming.  Trying to research “healthy” foods can make your head spin!  It seems like everyone has a different definition of “healthy,” and perhaps that’s why we as a society are drowning in so much misinformation. Thankfully, for us bariatric patients, there are some solid guidelines to follow to increase our odds of sustained success in our new healthier life.  Here are some simple things to look for when searching for the best post-op food options:

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Meal Prepping After Weight Loss Surgery

If you’re like me, your social media is probably bombarded with posts, pins, stories, and reels showcasing all kinds of inspiring meal-prepping hacks. From the cool containers to the seemingly seamless grab-and-go lifestyle, meal prepping can be a great way to save time and money and stay on track with your dietary goals.  Here are some great meal-prepping tips as well as why they work:

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Will I Feel Like Myself After Bariatric Surgery?

So, you’re considering having bariatric surgery. One of your concerns and questions might be, “Will I feel like myself after it’s all said and done?” It’s a good question and one worth exploring. Read on to investigate the possible effects of bariatric surgery on self-image.

If you were asked to describe someone, odds are the first few characteristics would be physical – height, hair color, stature, and style. We’re visual creatures and what we outwardly see tells us a lot about a person. Similarly, your physical body is part of how you see yourself. Maybe you’ve always been the “big guy,” the “curvy girl,” etc.  By contrast, after I had reached my weight loss goal, people called me “tiny,” “petite,” and “fit” – things I had never associated with who I am.  It was a bit jarring, to say the least!

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How Bariatric Surgery Changed My Life

If I’m being totally honest, a lot of what drove my decision to have bariatric surgery was vain.  I wanted to feel attractive.  I wanted to buy clothes at any store, to wear any style.  I was fortunate enough not to really have any health problems related to my weight.  So, my goals focused more on the surface – the visible results.  Now, almost three years post-op, I’m amazed at the surprising ripples of change that weight loss surgery has had in my life.

I lost weight, of course—140 pounds, to be exact.  So, I achieved my outward appearance goals.  I went from a size 2XL to an XS.  But I came to find that the unexpected changes were the ones that were more valuable to me.

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What to Do When Cravings Hit

A common myth about bariatric surgery is that it is a “magic” solution or “the easy way out” for significant weight loss.  Although bariatric surgery restricts how MUCH you can eat, it’s certainly not a cure-all for cravings.  Read on for tips on what to do when those old cravings creep their way back in!

They say the real weight loss battle occurs not in the stomach but between the ears. Even though you’ll only be able to eat small amounts at a time, if you make unhealthy choices, your success will be short-lived.

But hey, we’re only human.  Sometimes you still want chips, ice cream, candy, whatever your go-to craving is!  So, then what do you do?  If you’re like most unsuccessful dieters, you’ll try to get by on sheer willpower, occasionally fail, beat yourself up over it and end up feeling depressed.  Setting up that negative feedback loop makes you feel worse and more powerless about your diet “cheats.”  They become more frequent as you eat to feel better but then feel worse because you ate. Hop off that rollercoaster! Continue reading

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery Beyond Weight Loss

The most apparent benefit of bariatric surgery is weight loss, of course. But there are many other benefits that we can reap (some more obvious than others).  Read on to learn about the many surprising benefits bariatric surgery can offer!

Assuming you follow the diet and exercise guidelines post-op, you will be losing fat while building muscle.  Building muscle alone has several significant benefits. Strong musculature increases your resting metabolic rate, meaning you will be burning more calories even when not exercising. Further, good musculature improves balance and takes the strain off your joints.

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How Do I Know I’m Ready for Bariatric Surgery?

So, you’re considering having bariatric surgery.  It’s a big decision and not one to be made lightly!  So, how do you know if you’re ready?  Read on for some questions to ask yourself to help you make the right decision for you.

Are You Ready to Eat Differently?

Bariatric surgery being seen as “the easy way out” is a myth.  Although most everyone will lose weight initially, the weight can come back unless you make lifelong, lasting changes to your diet.  If you’re considering bariatric surgery, know that you are committing to change for good!

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How Much Should I Exercise After Bariatric Surgery?

You’ve done it!  You had bariatric surgery!  Now what?  You’ll find detailed instructions for diet and the different stages of what to eat and when.  But that’s only half of the battle!  The other half (and just as important) is exercise.  But how do you go about it?  What kinds of activities should you do?  How much and how often?  Read on to find some helpful tips to build a routine that works!

Exercise is vital to long-term success for bariatric patients.  In the simplest terms, weight loss occurs when we are “spending” more calories than we’re taking in.  When that happens, our bodies must burn fat to compensate for the extra energy needed.  The more calories you burn in exercise, the more effectively you lose weight!

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