Weight loss surgery is definitely not for anyone; regardless of the amount one must lose to be a healthy weight. Not only is the surgery full of inherent risks, but life afterwards will drastically change from that day forward. If you are considering such drastic measures, you also need to be aware of how eating habits will change after bariatric surgery.
Forget piling your plate high at Thanksgiving or Christmas. You will not be able to waste calories on junk food. Your caloric intake will focus on nutrition and well-being. Unlike dieting, you cannot change your eating habits for a short period of time until you lose the weight. The eating changes you make after surgery will be a part of the rest of your life. You will eat to live, not live to eat.
During the first few months, you will gradually be reintroduced to foods. At first, you will only be allowed clear liquids. Eventually, you will graduate to solid foods in very small quantities. But, the first thing you will notice is how you will consume the food you are allowed to eat.
Eat Only
In the past, the table has always been set with both food and drink. You eat a few bites, take a sip of your chosen beverage, and take the next bite. Not anymore. Now, you will eat 3 meals a day and consume food only during the meal. Save the liquids for between the meals.
Also, you will need to chew your food until it is basically the consistency of apple sauce. Generally, that will take 20-30 times to chew your food properly. You will no longer be able to rush through meal times. But, it will also mean you will get full and not feel deprived during meals.
Do Not Overeat
Under no circumstances should you try to overeat, even occasionally. It can cause you big problems. After weight loss surgery, you stomach will only hold so much food. Because it is not meant to stretch and accommodate for the Christmas party or family gathering, if you eat too much, you will likely vomit the contents of your stomach.
In truth, there is no nice way to put the consequences of trying to slip back into old habits. If you vomit too often, it can also cause some major health concerns from the irritation and sores that will pay a call on your fragile digestive system. If you are hoping this is the easiest answer for your weight problem, and you will be able to cheat on special occasions, then weight loss surgery is probably not for you. The price you will have to pay, in altering your lifestyle, may be more than you are willing to give.
Snack Time is Over
After recovering from weight loss surgery, you will still not be able to indulge in between meal snacks. Snack time is over. Forget eating popcorn in front of the television or at the movie theater. Eating while watching TV is probably one of the reasons why so many people have problems with weight.
Also, do not eat while reading a good book. In all honesty, individuals consume an unrealistic amount of snack foods without even tasting them with real enjoyment. Eating often becomes a mindless activity, while doing something else. Not anymore.
Enjoy every Bite
When you eat, take time to enjoy every bite. Savor every morsel. Enjoy the taste, the texture, and the smell. Pay attention to everything you put in your mouth. No more mindless eating allowed after bariatric surgery. Weight loss surgery does not mean that you can never appreciate eating again. Quite the contrary! Now, with smaller portions eaten slower, you will have more time to be thankful for each bite-and not just be shoveling it in, so you can go do something else.
Healthy Choices
Finally, make healthy choices. Do not go to the grocery store when you are hungry. Putting yourself in the way of temptation is not a good plan. While you are shopping, make healthy choices. Everything you put in your cart should support good health.
No guilt trips! If you have a family, even if they do not have to watch every bite they eat, it will not hurt them to learn to eat healthy. Get rid of all the snacks and foods that have no nutritional value. If it does not promote good health, it does not need to be in your cupboard. Your family members can learn to eat right today, and maybe avoid the extremes you had to take in order to regain your health. No one is immune from a weight problem, if the house is full of unhealthy choices.
So, are you willing to sacrifice those chips, bowls of ice cream, or other snacks consumed mindlessly during other activities? Are you ready to only provide healthy choices for food consumption in your home? Are you ready to really enjoy the taste of your food and not simply to take it for granted? Then, maybe you are a good candidate for weight loss surgery.