Are you aware of the success rate of bariatric surgery? If you don’t know, the success rate is 90%, which is quite good. But several factors can affect the success rate and increase it further if you follow them diligently.

Bariatric surgery is a type of weight loss surgery that is recommended for people who have severe obesity. It is the last resort to make weight loss and prevent obesity complications. But there are several things you need to do to make your bariatric surgery successful.Doral Health & Wellness has the best bariatric surgery program, call us to know more about weight loss surgery.

Learn the 7 most common things you need to do to increase your bariatric surgery success rates.

7 Factors Affecting the Success of bariatric surgery

Like any other surgery, bariatric surgery also includes risks. But following the guidelines prescribed by your healthcare team can help you improve the success rate of your bariatric surgery. The recommended guidelines include:

1. Fluid intake guidelines:

Fluid intake is important before and after surgery. And after the surgery, for at least one month you can’t eat anything, so you have to rely on a liquid diet. The goal is to drink 64 ounces (1.9 liters) of liquid every day. And don’t drink too fast because it can make you uncomfortable in the chest, back, or shoulder blade area.

These are the liquids recommended to use after bariatric surgery including – Water, Crystal Light, Sugar-Free Gelatin, Low-Calorie Juice, Broth, Sugar free Popsicles, V-8 Or Tomato Juice, Skim Milk, Mio, Sugar-Free Kool-Aid, Or Decaffeinated Coffee or Tea.

Avoid caffeine or carbonation because it can lead to dehydration, bloating, or discomfort, especially after gastric bypass surgery. Also, limit your liquid intake to 30 minutes before and after eating to avoid causing fullness or leading to dumping syndrome. Drinking water too soon after a meal can even stretch your pouch which makes you uncomfortable.

• Eat protein first in meals:

You need to eat protein first in your every meal. Why? Because protein is required for proper healing in the surgical area by assisting with muscle maintenance during weight loss. And protein takes more time to digest, which keeps the pouch feeling full, even if you consume less, promoting weight loss.

While it may be hard at the beginning (after your bariatric surgery) because you need to follow a clear liquid/full liquid, pureed diet for the first few weeks. But as you gradually increase your tolerance, you can start eating protein-containing foods in your meals first and choose other nutrients later. It is recommended that you consume 60 to 80 grams of protein every day to maintain proper healing and maintain optimal nutritional status. And if your diet lacks protein, you may experience fatigue, increased hunger, or poor nutrition.

• Eat 3 healthful meals per day:

It is recommended that before and after the surgery you should eat 3 meals per day. No more or less because the body doesn’t need more than 3 meals per day. You need to learn how to manage your hunger cues. Paying attention to your food triggers helps to govern your impulses. This awareness can help you control your urges and make you win 50% of your battle just by following the post-bariatric surgery diet and the rest is your commitment towards your goal of getting healthier life. Remember, in your meals choose foods with less than 15 grams of total carbohydrate and less than 3 grams of fat per meal.

• Exercise regularly:

You may think that exercising regularly is not required after your bariatric surgery, but that’s not true. Because exercise helps you release hormones into the body that not only make you feel good but also help you to curb your hunger. And it also helps to increase your mobility. As your post-bariatric surgery diet progresses, consistent exercise will help you lose more weight and keep your body healthier.

So, start exercising regularly as your doctor recommends you do. You can start slowly by going for walks for 3 to 4 days a week for 10 minutes then gradually increase the frequency and length of time you walk. Once a workout routine becomes easy, then you can increase the intensity of your workout by adding some weight exercises or cardio. After that, you can also start weightlifting to increase the chances of a healthier life.

• Change your eating habits:

Minding your eating habits can help you feel fuller even if you eat less than you usually eat. And chewing properly and slowly also helps to prevent nausea, vomiting, and discomfort. Changes like eating small bites, chewing well, and eating slowly can improve your digestive system and help you lose weight and keep it off.

So, start practicing slowly by eating with toddler utensils and finish each meal usually in 20 to 30 minutes. Chew food properly 25 to 30 times until it becomes pureed in the mouth before swallowing.

• Take the recommended supplements:

You should never skip or forget to take recommended supplements because due to changes in your diet, your body needs to get essential nutrients through supplements. While it will be temporary because, after several weeks or months, you can start eating food that provides all the nutrition your body needs, you’ll have to continue taking multivitamins and vitamins like vitamin D and B12 and calcium to keep yourself healthy. By doing that, you can improve your success rate of weight loss after bariatric surgery.

• Keep your focus away from food:

If you focus too much on eating and what you’re going to eat next, your body starts revolting because you start feeling hungry, unsatisfied, and less energized. And this can also affect your mental status after your surgery and ruin weight loss results. So, keep your focus and mood off food by adding some activity or hobby to occupy your mind.

If you’ve got a habit of eating sugary snacks in the afternoon, so instead of eating a snack, go for a walk around your house or grab a book and head outside to read. While this distraction is limited it can be helpful.

Bariatric success rates depend on how efficiently the person follows the bariatric guidelines prescribed to him/her by their healthcare team. If they follow every guideline properly (before or after the surgery), it can make the success rate extremely high; the person stays healthier throughout their life without having worries about complications. And if they do the opposite, they lower the success rate and can develop severe complications.

Want to know more about obesity and Weight loss surgery like Gastric sleeve surgery, Laparoscopic surgery, Gastric bypass surgery, Sleeve gastrectomy, or LAP band surgery? Call us on 13473845690 to get a  consultation from us. Doral Health and Wellness has one of the best bariatric doctors and surgeons to treat obesity and weight problems. Book your appointment and walk in at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212. Book your slot for a weight-loss consultation.