Life After Gastric Sleeve Surgery: How to Build Healthy Eating Habits

Life after gastric sleeve surgery to many people is considered a whole new and improved chapter of life. Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most effective and successful weight loss surgeries available today. People experience 60-70% of dramatic weight loss in the first year after the surgery, as well as improving or even eliminating many obesity-related health problems. But what about long-term success? How does someone learn to eat in a way that supports their new lifestyle? Here we’ll discuss some tips for developing new healthy eating habits to keep you on the right path in your new exciting chapter. 

Long-term Commitment = Success

While gastric sleeve surgery greatly helps with weight loss, it is only one part of the equation. Developing a long-term healthy eating plan is essential to keeping the weight off, avoiding discomfort, and staying healthy. After gastric sleeve, your stomach will be roughly 80% smaller than it used to be, and your body will produce significantly less of the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin, so you’ll feel full more quickly. However, simply eating less isn’t the best for health and weight loss. Patients will need to develop new eating habits that give their bodies all of the nutrients they need to stay healthy. 

Plan Your Meals

Because of the reduction in the size of your stomach, you won’t be able to eat the same way you used to. After the surgery, your stomach will get full with much smaller portions. In fact, most patients experience decreased hunger sensations. Nevertheless, the body still needs fuel. Planning small but frequent meals consisting of healthy and nutrient-rich foods will help you succeed. A plan will help you avoid empty calories like sugary or starchy foods that will make you feel full but won’t give your body the benefits of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that fresh vegetables and fruit will. 

Having a plan and knowing ahead of time what you’ll be eating throughout the day will keep you on track. In short, it’ll prevent you from making unhealthy decisions that can derail your weight loss plan. A food journal is a great way to stay on top of your new healthy lifestyle and diet goals. You’ll be able to see and keep track of your progress, note important details like when habits start slipping, and build strategies to improve your diet. 

Prioritize Protein

You’ve probably heard, proteins are the building blocks of life. It’s true. Eating protein is crucial after weight loss surgery. Your body needs protein to work the way it should, heal, and stay healthy. Proteins keep you going, they’re basically fuel for energy and aiding the body in circulating oxygen, and keep your hair, nails, and skin strong. After surgery patients should make consuming protein a priority to help minimize muscle loss as your body loses fat. 

A high-protein diet builds lean muscle and revs up your metabolism to burn more calories, which is crucial for when you begin exercising. When you sit down to a meal, eat the protein first, carbohydrates second — in case you get too full to finish the entire meal.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is a serious concern for patients after gastric sleeve surgery because you won’t be able to drink as much water in one sitting as you did before due to your smaller stomach size. Doctors recommend patients sip water as often as possible between meals throughout the day to stay hydrated and to aid their body with digestion. Avoid drinking any water 30 mins before meals and during, and stay away from sugary beverages.

Set Yourself Up For A Healthy and Successful  Future

Life after surgery is going to feel much different than life before surgery in a variety of ways. You’ll have to practice both healthy and mindful eating habits and break unhealthy ones. Aside from your diet, you’ll see drastic changes in your body, not only in weight but your overall appearance will be more vibrant too. What’s reflected on the outside will reflect inside as well, and having more energy and a better, clearer state of mind can all be life-changing. Gastric sleeve surgery is a phenomenal tool to combat weight loss, and by figuring out a healthy eating plan and sticking to it, you’ll be successful too.

If you’re overweight and considering gastric sleeve surgery, surgeons at Bass Medical Group Bariatric Surgery are experienced and knowledgeable professionals who provide great results. To learn more about gastric sleeve surgery or to request a consult, click here.