When you are severely overweight, it is time to consider making changes in your life to get your body back to a healthier weight. This can include going in for obesity surgery. While this surgery can vastly change your life, you still need to make other changes in your life as well to ensure you reduce your weight and develop a healthier lifestyle. This includes adding exercise into your daily routine and making changes to your diet.
Small Frequent Meals
As long as your body seems to be handling foods well, you can eat just about anything you want after your surgery, though it is important to introduce foods slowly. It is also important to make sure your intake consists mainly of nutritionally beneficial foods. Instead of eating your typical three large meals a day, it is often easier on your new stomach to eat smaller meals more often, providing your body with the food it needs without overwhelming your smaller stomach.
Eat Slowly
It can be easy to fall back into your old habits of eating quickly after your obesity surgery. However, once you begin eating solid foods again, typically after four to six weeks, you need to remember it is best to eat slowly. Don’t rush through your meals. Take small bites of food and make sure you chew them thoroughly. This will ensure your stomach has an easier time digesting the food without causing irritation.
Vitamin Supplements
Because you won’t be able to eat as much food as you previously had, you are at a higher risk of malnutrition than the average person, especially if you aren’t careful about what you eat. To avoid problems of malnutrition, it is important to take an approved vitamin supplement to ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs. A protein supplement or other nutritional supplements may also be necessary. Talk to your doctor or dietician about which types you are likely to need.
Obesity surgery can really change your life, allowing you to lose weight you couldn’t lose on your own before. However, it is important to realize you will need to make other changes in your life as well, especially when it comes to the way you eat. For those who have undergone any type of weight loss surgery, it is important to learn to eat small meals more frequently at a slow pace. This will help prevent stomach upset. Certain supplements may also be necessary to ensure you are getting the proper nutrition.
To learn more about the diet changes needed after obesity surgery, visit Dr. Elmer Valin’s website or call 1-203-867-5508.
