How to Prepare For Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is done to help one reduce their weight, especially for obese people. The procedure is not as easy as it seems, because you have to prepare well in advance if you want to reap the maximum benefits from it.

There are quite a number of things and activities that you can do before having a bariatric surgery to help you lose as much weight as possible when you have the surgery done on you.

Tips on How You Can Prepare For Bariatric Surgery

1. Learn As Much As You Can About Bariatric Surgery

 

It is always important to be well informed about anything that you engage in. This also applies to weight loss surgery. Information is power and you should therefore set out to learn as many details as possible about bariatric surgery.

There are so many ways that you can do this including the following:

• Research about it on the internet. Visit websites that provide information about bariatric surgery so that you learn more about it.
• Read books about weight loss surgery to understand how it is done, its risks and advantages.
• Talk with friends or other people who have had weight loss surgery and ask them about their experience. This will help you get first-hand information that will be factual and not just based on assumptions.

 

2. Check With Your Insurance To See If They Offer Policies For Weight Loss Surgery

Not all insurance policy covers may have weight loss surgery covered under them. It is therefore important that you cross check with your insurance service providers to see if they have or they can provide it.

If they do, then it might be helpful if you took one. You might be required to give information about your BMI, how old you are and any other health conditions you may have.

 

3. Lifestyle Changes

There are important steps that you will need to make that will involve a complete turn-around in your lifestyle choices. The first step that you will need to take is quitting smoking and the use of any products that contain nicotine.

Smoking has been known to result to complications during the surgery. You should therefore stop taking any products that contain nicotine at least three months before the surgery is due.

Another major change that you will have to make is to your diet. Many overweight people usually eat unhealthy junk foods that contain high calories. This makes them increase even more in weight. Reduce consumption of foods with high fat content and sugars and instead eat more proteins and veggies. Avoid fast foods such as hamburgers and pizzas.

When eating food, learn to chew properly and eat slowly. Do not over eat and also avoid eating while you are distracted. In addition, eat while aiming to reduce your weight and not solely to enjoy the food. This will help you to focus more on your weight reduction goals.

 

4. Hydrate Your Body

Water is a very important component of your body. You need to ensure that your body is well supplied with water so that it stays hydrated all the time. Drink at least eight glasses of water every day and avoid drinking it less than thirty minutes before or after a meal.

Do not rely on other drinks such as soda, coffee, or juice to keep you hydrated. Water is the best drink that there is, so drink more of it than other beverages.

 

5. Have Regular Exercises

Exercises help to keep your body healthy and fit. They also help to burn excess fats and calories in your body and this therefore helps you reduce weight. If you have not yet begun exercising, come up with a schedule of when you will be exercising.

The frequency of your exercises is more important than the intensity. You can engage in activities such as walking, jogging, and riding a bicycle, among others, to help you exercise. Aside from those, taking dancing classes, doing yoga, and visiting the gym are also great ways to help you lose weight.

 

6. Aim On Improving Your Emotional And Mental Growth

All the above changes will require you to change your way of thinking. You can do this by joining support groups and developing a positive attitude about yourself.

If you have a problem of eating when you are emotionally stressed, find a way of dealing with the problem. Talking with the people close to you who care about you may help you overcome such issues.

 

What Are The Advantages of Preparing For Bariatric Surgery?

a)      Losing more weight. People who prepare in advance for a weight loss surgery are more likely to lose more weight and they will therefore benefit even more from the surgery.

b)      It reduces the risks of developing complications during the surgery. Habits such as smoking may make it difficult to perform the surgery. To avoid such developments from taking place, prepare yourself in advance.

c)      It will help you also to get rid of your old lifestyle and eating habits. If you do not change your diet routines after the surgery then it will not be of much help. This is because you will continue consuming foods that will keep on increasing your weight.

When you start preparing for bariatric surgery you also make changes to your life. It will be therefore easier to continue with your new way of life after the surgery.

 

The Bottom Line

Before undertaking a mission you have to prepare for it, and so should you when you intend to have bariatric surgery. Preparations for a weight loss surgery are quite simple and easy to implement in your life.

If you are not sure about how you will prepare, consult your doctors and they will advise you on the various ways that you can get yourself ready for a bariatric surgery. Dieticians can also help you come up with timetables on the kinds of meals that you will be eating to help you reduce your weight.