Importance of Self-Care After Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a type of weight loss surgery which is performed on people who are obese. Bariatric surgeries are surgical procedures that make significant changes to the digestive system. Bariatric surgery leads to significant weight loss for individuals who are severely overweight or obese. The amount of weight that is lost after bariatric surgery can vary depending on several factors, including the type of surgery performed, the patient’s starting weight, until the patient reaches his/her ideal body weight, and their adherence to post-surgical guidelines for diet and exercise.

So what exactly is self-care? It essentially means paying attention to our own physical and emotional needs and taking positive steps to care for ourselves. The problem is when life gets stressful and we get busy taking care of other people’s needs, we often stop taking care of ourselves. If we start making self-care a daily habit, however, we are more likely to continue taking care of ourselves when life gets hectic and we most need it. One topic that isn’t focused on enough includes how to manage your stress and practice self care after your surgery. When we are stressed, or life becomes very overwhelming, it can feel near impossible to stay on track with living a healthier lifestyle. It is in these moments that focusing on yourself and your health are even more important.

Nutrition -

As you most likely already know, good nutrition is vital for weight loss after surgery. In addition, eating healthy foods helps you feel better and be more energetic. Much like an Olympic athlete only puts the cleanest, most nutritious foods in their body, you need good nutritional intake in order to be your best. Avoid all processed foods and be sure to fuel your body with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

You can consume a diet which is high in fibre by including foods like apples, dry plums, avocado, chia seeds, nuts, quinoa, legumes etc. The combination of water and fibre could help your system get back on track. This will also help you to improve your bowel movements.

If this fails, you might need to take a fibre supplement to stay regular after weight loss surgery. Fibre supplements are available in pill, tablet, and powder form. They add the recommended amount of fibre to your body and help your system stay regular. Make sure to consult your dietician to recommend appropriate diet and supplements according to your recovery phase to help your body heal faster.

Physical Activity -

You’ve heard all about exercise for weight loss but it is very important for your mental health as well. Your body produces hormones when it encounters stress. You are genetically designed to burn off those stress hormones through physical activity. Research has indicated that regular moderate exercise can be as effective as therapy or medication for reducing stress related anxiety and depression. A week after surgery you should resume your normal activities, you should try to walk up to a half hour or 45 minutes a day. Walking is good for both your physical and mental well-being. It also tones the muscles in your stomach and hips, helping you look trimmer after weight loss surgery.

Calming Your Mind -

Many of us are challenged by a racing mind that doesn’t want to shut off and often pulls us in directions we don’t want to go. One of the most effective practices for calming the mind is called “mindfulness.” The general premise is based on focusing your thoughts on something in the “here and now”, instead of letting your mind race around thinking about what has happened in the past or what might happen in the future. Many people close their eyes and focus on taking slow, deep breaths and concentrating only on their bodily sensations. Others might focus on observing all the features of their outdoor environment, such as the details of a tree, the sounds of birds, and the sensation of the sun shining on their face.

Take a break
Focus on your breathing
Listen to music
Spend some time with nature
Get creative, be imaginative
Start journaling

Sleep -

Often pushed to the back seat, sleep is one of our most critical health functions. It enables the neurons in our brains to operate effectively so that we can process and remember information. Sleep affects almost every type of tissue and system in the body including the brain, heart, lungs, metabolism, immune function, mood, and disease resistance. Research shows that a chronic lack of sleep, or getting poor quality sleep, increases the risk of disorders including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity. After all, your body does the majority of its healing while you’re asleep. A good quality 8 hours deep sleep is necessary for the body to work efficiently.