It is extremely important for you to have postoperative bariatric follow-up care after you’ve had gastric bypass surgery. To ensure your weight loss efforts and bariatric surgery are successful, follow-up care is crucial. If you keep your follow-up visits, statistics show you can lose more weight than those who do not follow through with visits after their surgery. Part of this care will involve learning how to eat healthily and keep your nutrition levels where they need to be.
Importance of Follow Up Bariatric Care and Nutrition
There are a number of reasons post-op follow-up care is important after your gastric bypass surgery.
1. The loss of weight after a LAP-BAND or sleeve gastrectomy typically happens over a 12 to 18-month period. Weight loss after gastric bypass happens for as long as 18 to 24 months after the surgery. Going to your follow-up visits and following care instructions will increase your chances of success.
2. After a gastric bypass surgery you will need help from a nutritionist as you transition from liquids to soft foods and then on to solid foods. A nutritionist understands the importance of making the right food choices so you can maintain a balanced diet. The nutritionist will help you learn how to avoid high-calorie soft foods and liquids. Knowing how to eat is vital to the success of your operation.
3. Follow-up visits are needed to help you understand your risks for iron and vitamin deficiencies while you are in the early stages of weight loss. A nutritionist will help you with this understanding which will help you avoid mineral and vitamin deficiencies that could require blood transfusions or shots.
How a Nutritionist is Beneficial After Gastric Bypass Surgery
There are certain medical procedures that make it difficult for your body to absorb important nutrients from foods. A nutritionist will be able to recommend supplements or vitamins so you do not experience nutritional deficiencies.
A nutritionist will understand your reasoning for needing or wanting gastric bypass surgery and will work with and cheer for you as you move through the different stages on the way to success. They are there for you throughout your progress and will help by making suggestions and modifications to your diet.
A nutritionist can identify the triggers that cause you to overeat or eat when you are not hungry. These professionals can also help you change your attitude about nutrition and dieting. Keeping your nutritionist informed and having your levels of minerals and vitamins checked, will help you maximize your success.
Another benefit of working with a nutritionist after gastric bypass surgery will ensure you do not lose too much weight too quickly.
Importance of a Nutritional Guide After Gastric Bypass Surgery
The support of a nutritionist after your gastric bypass surgery is important to ensure you have experienced help with your eating habits and dietary needs. You will be required to follow a strict diet to make sure you achieve the best possible results. The diet will include eating smaller more frequent meals that do not contain high-fat, sugary or high-calorie foods.
Working with a nutritionist after your surgery will provide you with personalized guidance that will help you learn what to eat and how to plan your meals that will support your weight loss goals.
Where to Find Nutritional Information and Support After Gastric Bypass Surgery
Pinnacle Nutrition Consultants provide you with evidence-based nutrition therapy. We are compassionate and have made it our mission to effectively facilitate healthy living styles for our clients. Talk to one of our specialists today and learn how we can help you with your dietary and nutritional support after you’ve had gastric bypass surgery, or are simply looking for more healthy alternatives to any diet. We also offer pre-op nutritional counseling to prepare you for your gastric band, sleeve, or bypass surgery. Our nutritionists are located in Houston and offer in-person visits, but we also offer telehealth virtually all over Texas.
