Preparing for the Lifestyle Changes That Come With Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is a pressing issue that plagues a significant portion of the United States population. Currently, about 42% of adults and 20% of children in America are affected by this life-threatening condition, and projections suggest that things will only get worse.

A recent study indicates that by 2030, nearly half of the adult population in the United States is projected to experience obesity, and approximately a quarter will face severe obesity, with some states having an obesity prevalence of closer to 60%. These numbers no doubt highlight the significant and concerning impact of obesity nationwide.

The consequences of obesity are dire, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, which are among the leading causes of death in the country. And addressing the complications associated with obesity comes at a considerable cost. The annual expenditure related to obesity in the healthcare sector amounts to around $147 billion, and recent estimates indicate that this figure could surpass $200 billion in the coming years. 

While there are initiatives promoting lifestyle changes, such as better eating habits and increased physical activity, for many, their effectiveness in combating obesity alone is limited. In light of these challenges, bariatric surgery has emerged as a viable solution. 

Despite its proven effectiveness, many eligible candidates hesitate to undergo these weight loss procedures due to fears, misconceptions, and the effort and dedication leading up to and after surgery, as most don’t realize that keeping the surgery viable is a lifelong goal.

If you are interested in bariatric surgery but aren’t sure what you will need to do to prepare and what life will look like following surgery, this guide will provide answers to the most frequently asked questions about bariatric surgery and some overlooked considerations. 

In this article, you will learn:

• What bariatric surgery is, and who is and is not a good candidate.
• Types of bariatric surgery procedures available for weight loss. 
• Things you must do and not do before bariatric surgery.
• What life will look like after bariatric surgery, and how to prepare for these changes.
• Tips for the best chance for success following bariatric surgery. 
• Where to find an experienced bariatric surgeon in Nashville, Tn. 

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery, is a surgical intervention aimed at promoting weight loss by modifying the digestive system. These operations can involve making the stomach smaller, which limits food and drink intake to induce an earlier feeling of fullness. 

Alternatively, bariatric surgery may alter the small intestine, reducing calorie absorption by the body. These procedures can also impact hormones and gastrointestinal bacteria, potentially reducing appetite and hunger while improving fat metabolism and insulin utilization.

The primary purpose of bariatric surgery is to facilitate weight reduction and mitigate the risks associated with potentially life-threatening conditions related to excessive weight. Some of these health problems include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and even some cancers.

That said, bariatric surgery is not a stand-alone solution to obesity and is typically only considered when traditional methods such as diet and exercise have proven ineffective or when an individual’s weight is causing severe health issues.

What Is The Most Common Bariatric Surgery Procedure?

In the United States, there are four types of weight loss surgery that bariatric surgeons most often consider: sleeve gastrectomy (also known as gastric sleeve), gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.

Among these options, sleeve gastrectomy, also referred to as gastric sleeve surgery, is the most common procedure in bariatric surgery. This surgical intervention involves removing a significant portion of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch.

The reduced stomach size restricts the amount of food that can be consumed, leading to a sense of fullness with smaller portions. This procedure is often recommended for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 to 39.9, coupled with weight-related health issues.

Another commonly performed weight loss surgery is adjustable gastric band surgery. This procedure involves placing an adjustable inflatable band around the upper portion of the stomach. The band can be tightened or loosened through a port located under the skin, allowing for adjustments in restriction.

By constricting the stomach, the band creates a feeling of fullness even with smaller food quantities. Adjustable gastric band surgery is often recommended for individuals with a lower BMI (typically between 30 and 35) who have failed to achieve weight loss through traditional methods.

Who is a Good Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is not suitable for all individuals struggling with severe overweight conditions. Meeting specific medical criteria is often necessary to be eligible for weight-loss surgery. 

Some of the top risk factors that may might disqualify you from bariatric surgery include:

• Being over the age of 75
• Being under the age of 16
• Having an alcohol or drug addiction
• Severe lung issues
• History of heart disease
• Certain autoimmune diseases
• Blood disorders
• ++ more

Furthermore, you must be willing to make pre-surgery lifestyle changes as well as permanent changes following surgery in order to adopt a healthier way of living. Participation in long-term follow-up plans is also often required, including monitoring nutrition, lifestyle and behavior modifications, and the management of medical conditions.

A comprehensive screening process should be conducted to assess your eligibility. During this screening, don’t hesitate to ask your board-certified bariatric surgeon in-depth questions about their experience performing bariatric surgery and what you will need to do to ensure a successful procedure. 

Generally, bariatric surgery may be considered if you meet specific criteria:

• Extreme obesity, which is defined as being more than 100 pounds overweight and having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.
• Obesity, with a BMI greater than or equal to 35, coupled with a significant weight-related health issue such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea.
• In certain cases, individuals with a BMI of 30 to 34 and serious weight-related health problems may also qualify for specific types of weight-loss surgery.
• You know the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery and have realistic expectations.
• You’re ready to adjust how you will need to eat after the surgery and are committed to making lifestyle changes to keep the weight off.

When you visit our experts of Bariatrics in Nashville, they can answer your questions and help you decide if bariatric surgery is right for you. They can then assist you in forming a plan to help you evaluate and prepare for your weight loss surgery.  

What is the Success Rate of Bariatric Surgery?

Generally, bariatric surgery can result in significant weight loss and improve weight-related health problems. However, the degree of success may differ from person to person. The success rates and effectiveness of bariatric surgery procedures can vary depending on individual circumstances, such as pre-existing health conditions and adherence to pre and post-surgical guidelines. This is why a screening with a qualified, experienced, board-certified bariatric surgeon is crucial.

During the screening process, your surgeon will evaluate various factors to determine the most suitable weight loss surgery option for you. They will consider your medical history, BMI, overall health, and weight loss goals to make an informed recommendation.

It is essential to have open and thorough discussions with your healthcare provider to understand each procedure’s potential risks, benefits, and expected outcomes before making a decision.

Preparing For Bariatric Surgery

Preparing for bariatric surgery involves several important steps to ensure the best possible outcome and minimize potential risks. Prior to undergoing the procedure, your healthcare team will guide you through a comprehensive preparation process.

First up will be a thorough evaluation to determine your overall health and medical history. This may involve physical examinations, laboratory tests, and imaging studies to assess your current condition and identify any underlying health issues that may affect the surgery or recovery process.

If it is decided you are a candidate for bariatric surgery and you choose to move forward, your healthcare team will provide you with detailed instructions regarding preoperative preparations. This will likely include recovery and downtime instructions and dietary guidelines to follow in the days leading up to the surgery, such as specific food restrictions or meal timing recommendations. You may also be advised to discontinue certain medications or supplements that could interfere with the procedure or anesthesia.

Sometimes, your healthcare provider may also recommend lifestyle changes before the surgery to optimize the procedure’s safety and effectiveness. In the next section, we will discuss in detail what these lifestyle changes typically entail. You must be willing to adhere to these changes; otherwise, bariatric surgery might not be your best weight loss solution.

Additionally, it might be suggested that you consult psychologists and support groups specializing in bariatric surgery. These interactions provide you with the emotional and psychological support needed for significant weight loss that many overlook.  

Lifestyle Changes To Make Before Bariatric Surgery

The long-term effect of any surgery in the bariatric field is to reduce the amount of food a patient can eat to help them reduce their body mass index (BMI) and improve their overall health. As a result, you will have to make many changes leading up to surgery, and even more of them after surgery.

Trying some of these changes now can help you determine if you have the dedication necessary to maintain your weight and health after bariatric surgery. Two of the most important lifestyle changes you must improve upon are your diet and exercise habits.

We understand you might be hesitant or discouraged thinking about pursuing these things considering unsuccessful diet and exercise attempts are likely one reason why you are still overweight and considering surgery in the first place. It’s still vital that you try; otherwise, you might not be eligible for surgery or be able to maintain your weight loss after surgery. 

Don’t be discouraged! There are likely diet and exercise methods our expert team can suggest that you haven’t tried in the past. For example, perhaps you tried and failed at a fad diet like Keto? Your doctor may suggest making simple changes to your diet, such as committing to cutting out all fast foods, processed foods, and drinks with calories.

Or, if your previous exercise routine consisted of only low-intensity walks, your doctor may recommend taking longer walks at a brisker pace or implementing some bodyweight or resistance exercises. With a renewed sense of consistency, dedication, and commitment, overcoming these challenges and achieving significant weight loss before surgery is possible. 

Additionally, there are other bad habits you might need to break to ensure a safe, smooth, and successful surgical experience, such as not smoking or cutting back on alcohol and caffeine. By actively engaging in the preparation process, you can enhance the safety and effectiveness of bariatric surgery and set yourself up for a positive postoperative journey.

Here is a list of some of the lifestyle changes you can expect to need to make before your bariatric surgery procedure to ensure you experience the best possible outcome: 

Drop All Destructive Habits Immediately

If you partake in any destructive habits, now is the time to quit. Most of these habits are things you already know aren’t good for you. Quitting and replacing these bad habits with healthy habits can increase your eligibility for bariatric surgery.

Even if you decide not to pursue surgery, quitting unhealthy and destructive habits can only help your health. Things you should consider include the following:

• Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco: Smoking or chewing tobacco can lead to an increase in possible complications during surgery. In fact, smoking does incredible amounts of harm to your body. Smoking can weaken your body when you need it at its strongest to face surgery. Smoking can also interfere with your body’s blood supply and interrupt your body’s natural healing mechanisms. If you smoke or use tobacco products, you should take the necessary steps to quit.
• Severely limiting or completely eliminating alcohol: Alcohol will actively work against your weight-loss goals, as the empty calories in alcohol contribute to weight gain. Additionally, after surgery, alcohol can become more potent and quickly lead to problems outside of weight gain. It will make it to your intestines faster and enter your bloodstream without the usual amount of dilution. This can cause you to become intoxicated faster and more potently. In turn, you can develop other alcohol-related problems easier, such as poisoning and liver issues.
• Quitting coffee, energy drinks, and caffeine in general: Drinking caffeine isn’t as dangerous as other habits, but this stimulant often comes with high sugar content. The combination will not go well with your sensitive stomach after surgery. You will be asked to cut out or limit some or all of these things pre-op. Hopefully, you won’t pick them back up post-op.

Pick Up A Fitness Routine Today

Diet and exercise are two of the most significant factors that lead to obesity. Furthermore, a lack of adequate diet and exercise increases the risk of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and blood clots. You will need to incorporate exercise into your life after surgery, so you might as well get started before surgery to see if you can handle and stick to the daily exertions. 

Additionally, in some cases, you’ll help your eligibility for bariatric surgery by naturally losing a few pounds. The less you weigh at the time of surgery, the more successful it will be. Even losing a pound or two can make a significant difference.

After getting the green light from your physician that you can exercise safely, you should start a daily fitness routine as soon as possible. You don’t have to join a gym or enroll in a weight training program. You can start slow with daily walks, jogs, bike rides, bodyweight exercises, or whatever else gets you up and moving. 

Whatever you decide, you need to be sure that you will be able to stick with a maintainable exercise routine before moving forward with bariatric surgery. 

Change Your Diet Now 

Deciding to go through with bariatric surgery is also a decision to change how you eat. Nutrition is one of the most critical aspects of bariatric surgery. Your nutrition will matter before, during, and after surgery.

The following are some of the nutritional changes you can make right now:

• Start finding foods that give you more nutrients in smaller portions. 
• Eat foods rich in protein. 
• Eat fewer refined carbohydrates.
• Avoid refined sugar
• Drink more water
• Limit or eliminate sugary drinks.
• Reduce the amount of food you eat.
• Take a quality multivitamin to help make up for anything your diet lacks.

It is essential to keep in mind that “eating healthy” is very subjective. For example, most nuts, seeds, and coconut oil are indeed very healthy. But they are also very high in calories. The same goes for carbohydrates. Many see carbs as bad when it’s really all about the types of carbs you choose and sticking to moderate portion sizes. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with portioned servings of lean meat, nuts, fruit, and vegetables. 

Good nutrition gives your body what it needs to make it through surgery with fewer possible complications. In addition, nutrition helps your body withstand the shock that comes with suddenly losing a lot of weight and enables you to heal faster after surgery. It would help if you started making changes to your diet right now. Doing so will give you a good idea of how your eating will change after surgery.

Life After Bariatric Surgery

After undergoing bariatric surgery, your life will undergo significant changes as you embark on a journey of weight management and improved health. These changes will require commitment and dedication to maintain long-term success but are crucial to prevent weight regain and ensure long-term weight management.

You will notice most of the following postoperative lifestyle changes are the same ones we suggest you implement before surgery. Because these things will be necessary following surgery, you should make them a habit before your operation.

Diet After Bariatric Surgery

Following the surgery, your diet will undergo a transformation. Initially, you will follow a strict postoperative diet plan, gradually transitioning from liquid to pureed and then solid foods. 

Portion control and mindful eating will become crucial as your stomach capacity will be reduced. Your healthcare team will provide dietary guidelines, emphasizing a balanced, protein-rich diet that prioritizes nutrient-dense foods.

Additionally, you must practice other mindful eating habits, such as eating slowly, chewing food thoroughly, and staying hydrated. 

Exercise After Bariatric Surgery

Physical activity plays a vital role in your post-surgical journey. Regular exercise not only aids in weight loss but also helps maintain muscle mass, boost metabolism, and improve overall health and vitality. 

Our healthcare team will help guide you on suitable exercises and recommend gradually increasing your activity levels as you recover from surgery. Whatever you choose, you will need to develop an exercise routine that you can stick with long term. 

Lifestyle After Bariatric Surgery

Adopting a healthier lifestyle after bariatric surgery extends beyond dietary and exercise changes. It also involves making choices that promote your overall well-being. One crucial aspect is quitting smoking if you are a smoker.

Smoking can have detrimental effects on your health and hinder your weight loss progress. It increases the risk of complications following surgery, such as infections and impaired wound healing. Moreover, smoking is associated with a higher likelihood of weight regain and other health issues.

Additionally, you should aim to manage stress, improve sleep patterns, and address any emotional and psychological aspects, as all of these things can contribute to hormone imbalances that could lead to gaining weight back.  

Vitamins And Supplements After Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery can affect your body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients adequately. Your healthcare team will likely prescribe specific vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent deficiencies and support your overall health. Regular monitoring of nutrient levels through blood tests will be essential to ensure optimal nutrition. 

Postoperative Recovery and Downtime After Bariatric Surgery

Last but certainly not least, while bariatric surgeries are performed using minimally invasive techniques or with robotic surgery, it is still considered a major operation that requires significant time away from work and other activities.

Recovery from bariatric surgery varies from person to person, but generally, you can expect to spend a day or two in the hospital for immediate postoperative care. You should be able to return to regular day-to-day functioning after about a week. However, you will need to allocate two to four weeks off work to give yourself time to adjust to your new stomach and daily routine.

You may experience discomfort, changes in bowel movements, and fatigue during the initial recovery phase. Following your surgeon’s instructions regarding physical activity, wound care, and medication will aid in a smooth recovery.  

Other Keys To A Successful Bariatric Surgery 

In addition to the essential factors such as diet, exercise, and following postoperative guidelines, other key elements contribute to a successful bariatric surgery journey.

These include:

• Seeking knowledge and support throughout your journey. Attend educational sessions, participate in support groups, and engage with healthcare professionals who specialize in bariatric surgery.
• Prioritizing your mental health and seeking professional counseling or therapy to address any underlying psychological issues, build coping mechanisms, and develop a positive mindset.
• Staying committed and accountable to healthy habits. Consider hiring a nutritionist, personal trainer, or have an accountability buddy.
• Surrounding yourself with a supportive environment with people who understand and respect your journey. Communicate your needs and challenges, and seek their encouragement.
• Choosing a skilled and experienced board-certified bariatric surgeon to perform your weight loss procedure and then maintaining regular follow-up care for ongoing support. 

Preparing For Bariatric Surgery In Nashville

Instead of searching for more answers or questioning your candidacy for bariatric surgery, it is best to go ahead and schedule your bariatric surgery screening. During this short appointment, our board-certified Bariatric specialists will be able to answer any questions you have and determine if bariatric surgery is right for you. 

If you are a candidate, all the lifestyle changes mentioned above can help prepare you for surgery. Preparing ahead of time can also mentally prepare you for bariatric surgery, which is just as important as physical preparedness.

After your screening, even if you decide that bariatric surgery isn’t for you or want to wait to have your surgery performed later, these changes can still help you maintain your health and lose weight. As long as you get the go-ahead from your doctor, there is no reason why you shouldn’t get started making these changes right away.

Find A Bariatric Surgeon In Nashville

Our Columbia Bariatric Surgery Center or another one of our locations that offer bariatric surgery in Middle Tennessee are currently booking screening appointments and surgeries for new patients.

To learn more about what to expect from bariatric surgery and schedule your bariatric surgery screening, contact The Surgical Clinic location closest to you.
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Find a bariatric surgeon in Nashville