Getting Ready for Weight Loss Surgery

If you're significantly overweight and have been unable to lose weight by dieting and exercising, you might be a candidate for weight loss surgery. I had my weight loss surgery just over three years ago I was not fully prepared for all the changes I had to make in my life. I'm thrilled with the results of my surgery, but I do wish I'd been better prepared. I thought I'd share some ideas of things you can do to help you get prepared for your surgery. It can take several months to go through of the pre-operative clearances required before weight loss surgery, so use that time wisely.

Start a Food Journal

Start keeping track of your calories and protein grams. Pay attention to what foods are high in protein. Try to get at least 60 grams of protein each day. Also keep track of how much you drink in a day and aim for at least 64 ounces of fluid daily.

Practice New Eating Habits

Practice eating slowly and taking tiny bites. Make sure you chew well. If you plan to have lap band surgery or gastric bypass surgery, start getting used to not drinking with meals. Start planning meals ahead of time; don't just grab something when you get hungry. Start measuring your portions.

Start Taking Vitamins

Start taking a good multivitamin if you don't already. Get some blood work done to check your iron and vitamin D and B12 to see if you need extra of those things. Also do some research to find out what vitamins you'll need after surgery; the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery recommends different vitamins depending on which type of weight loss surgery you plan to have. If you want to be in the best health, you can start taking your post-surgery vitamins a few weeks before your operation. That will also help you get in the habit of taking them.

Start Studying

Start learning all you can about the surgery you plan to have. Learn as much as you can about nutrition and vitamins.

Start Exercising

Exercising now is a good thing. It will get you in the habit for later and get you in better shape for surgery. Every pound you can lose pre-op will make your surgery safer and it will be one less pound you have to lose later. Exercising has psychological benefits, too; it can help prevent or improve anxiety and depression and help to relieve stress. If it's difficult to exercise due to your weight or lack of activity in recent years, it's all right to start small. Just walk at a comfortable pace for ten minutes to start.

Consider the Psychological Issues

Think about the psychological issues that have contributed to your weight gain in the past. For instance, if you are an emotional eater, start paying attention to your feelings and coming up with other ways to deal with stress or other feelings besides eating. If you need help with that, find a good therapist now.

Sources:

Bariatric Nutrition. http://nutrition.otago.ac.nz/__data/assets/file/0005/4784/BariatricNutritionReading.pdf. Suggestions for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient.

Obesity Help. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/nutritional-guidelines-after-roux-en-y-gastric-bypass-surgery.html. Nutritional Guidelines After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery.

Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/MH00025. Weight-Loss Help: Gain Control of Emotional Eating.