Many people are becoming more and more conscious of matters concerning their bodies like weight gain, primarily due to social media influence, family, TV, or even peer pressure. If one is not careful, the pressure to look a certain way might make people do unimaginable things to maintain the prescribed “societal look.”
As the days go by, people gradually learn better ways of dealing with their body insecurities. For instance, people suffering from obesity may use safe and effective procedures done by a professional weight loss surgeon to get rid of excess fat and live a healthier lifestyle. Any surgery, however, has a unique recovery routine that you must follow. In this instance, however, let’s learn some tips to full recovery after bariatric surgery:
1. Rest After Surgery
Your body will not have the same energy as before the surgery since your food intake will be significantly reduced. It is wise to give your body time to heal and adjust to your new diet. Most people will resume work after two weeks. However, even after returning to work, you’re advised to take up light tasks at first.
2. Get Extra Help
If you’re recuperating at home, you may need help standing, grooming, or doing things around your house. A close family member, spouse, or close friend can help you manage these things and more. You also can get a private nurse to help you out. Besides, a nurse will ensure that you follow all the doctor’s prescribed guidelines to the letter.
3. Take the Prescribed Medicine After Surgery
The surgery is painless, but later on, after the whole surgery process, you will undoubtedly feel some pain as your body heals and adjusts itself. Your doctor and hospital staff will help you manage the pain by doing all things possible. Please don’t be shy to speak up whenever you feel any unexpected pain from the norm, as it’s easier to keep it in control as soon as it starts.
4. Follow The Dietary Guidelines
Once you undergo this surgery, you will probably stay off solid foods for a while, and the transition to solid foods is gradual. Also, the food portions that you take in one sitting will be minimal. Therefore, cheating is not an option in this case. However, taking plenty of water is highly recommended after surgery to flush out all the medications used during surgery, helps manage pain levels, and minimizes the risk of getting Urinary Tract Infections.
The dietary guidelines may vary depending on the surgery and body, so don’t follow your friend’s or family’s recommendations based on previous experience, but those of your doctor or dietician.
5. Do Light Exercises
As much as you’re asked to rest during the recovery process, staying physically active is crucial as it speeds up recovery and minimizes complications. However, you’re only limited to light physical activity, which you can gradually increase as per your doctor’s advice. Walking is one such light physical activity that you can do from anywhere. You don’t have to take long walks, but plan for short walks every day as you work your way up to long walks.
6. Don’t Skip Post-Op Follow-ups
In your recovery time, you will be scheduled to do regular visits to your doctor. These visits are critical to confirm that your road to recovery is correct and that you’re following all the prescribed guidelines for your full recovery.
7. Exercise Patience
It’s easy to expect drastic results such as quick weight loss and quick recovery after bariatric surgery. However, it’s mostly not this way, and if you’re not patient enough, you will surely get frustrated. If you’re already at this point, talk to your doctor about it, and they will help you get everything into perspective.
8. Join a Support Group
It can be hard to share your details to outsiders about your whole journey and experiences, but you never know. Your story may be a source of encouragement to one of them. If you’re discouraged over something, you will feel encouraged if you get someone experiencing the same. You’ll also get to hear and see the progress others have made. From these groups, accountability partners are birthed, and that way, you can support and encourage each other for the long term to ensure and stick to your weight goals and good lifestyle.
It takes extreme measures and tough decisions to live a healthy lifestyle. However, if you’ve already undergone this weight loss surgery, it’s almost definite that you’re up to it. It is never smooth, but many others have done it, so don’t be afraid to take up the surgery option. It will all be worth it.
About the Author
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
