Maintaining Your Weight Loss After A Bariatric Procedure

Through bariatric procedures, we are able to put our bodies into a calorie deficit by limiting how much food we take in. However, this does not control WHAT we eat and other psychological and external factors that affect the rate or maintenance of the weight lost.Eventually, the body adjusts and starts taking in just a little more despite the gastric balloon or bariatric surgery. This may lead to stagnation in weight loss or even weight regain.

So, where does that leave us?

The key to maintaining weight loss in the long term is by adopting new and healthy lifestyle changes to accompany your bariatric procedure. This is because old habits got you to where you are and the only way to make sustainable change is by identifying these habits and working towards changing them.

Here are a few pointers on how you can begin:

1. Join our group psychotherapy for correction of eating habits program. This is where we explore psychological factors that negatively affect your weight loss through online group sessions with our doctor, Dr Shchukina, learn calorie counting and audio sessions to reinforce what is learnt in the weekly sessions. This program goes on for 4 months that is renewable upon completion

2. Join a support group or have people you can be accountable to in your journey. With this you can encourage one another and give little hacks that have helped as you lose weight and maintain it. You could also ask your family to help out or join you so it is a health change for not just you but them as well.

3. Start engaging in regular physical activity as simple as walking 3-4 times a week. It not only helps in your goal but is also very beneficial for your overall health and fitness.

4. Develop a routine. Old habits die hard and it feels safe and easy to go back to things that you are used to. To see a change you must develop new habits and routines that align with your goal. It will not be easy in the beginning but you will slowly get used to it and it will be worth it.

5. Do not rush your journey or compare yourself with others. Do everything at your pace as long as you stick to the good habits and you will eventually get the result you want to.

6. When serving food, opt for the side plate rather than the bigger regular sized plate. Same applies for cups except when it comes to water which you should take as regularly as possible throughout the day. Chew your food slowly and connect your mind to your stomach so you know to stop just before you feel full to avoid overeating

Take Away

As always, this should be a fun journey for you. It will be different for everyone, so make sure to enjoy your unique journey to your new body and better health.