Our complete follow-up patient care helps ensure lifelong success.
As you consider bariatric surgery, we want you to have a realistic understanding of what past patients experienced after their surgery. Like any surgery, recovery takes time. There will be great days, and there will be challenges.
What to Expect
There are many positive outcomes associated with weight loss as a result of bariatric surgery. These include:
- Reduced risks associated with health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and sleep apnea
- Improved self-image and self-confidence
- Complete reversal of some health conditions
- Better joint health and decreased pain
- Increased energy
- Improved sleep
There may also be a few side effects you weren’t expecting. Don’t worry. These experiences are completely normal and the staff at SCOSC is here to help you cope effectively.
- Body aches
- Dry skin
- Hair loss or hair thinning
- Mood changes
A New Way to Eat
Adjusting to a healthy, balanced diet takes work, but we promise it’s worth the effort. Your physician and dietician will meet with you to provide specific dietary guidelines. The National Institutes for Health offers the following tips for eating after bariatric surgery:
- Once you are eating solid food, each bite must be chewed very slowly and completely, up to 20 or 30 times. Food must be smooth before swallowing.
- Each meal will take roughly 30 minutes.
- You may eat 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals.
- You will need to avoid snacking between meals.
Getting Enough Water
You will need to drink up to 8 glasses of water or other liquids that do not have calories every day.
- Avoid drinking anything while you are eating, and for 30 minutes before or after you eat. Having liquid in your pouch will wash food out of your pouch and make you hungrier.
- Like with food, you will need to take small sips and not gulp.
- Do not use straws because they bring air into your stomach.
Reality: Hard Days
Everyone has some hard days after bariatric surgery. When you’ve undergone a major lifestyle change, even feelings associated with this positive choice can seem overwhelming at times.
Your physician and other staff at the SCOSC will work with you to develop a plan for coping with negative feelings and attitudes that may arise as a result of rapid weight loss. Just rest assured, your experience is normal and we are here to help and support you.
Even after bariatric surgery, it’s important to remember that weight-loss success is a long-term goal. More than 80 percent of our patients succeed by meeting their weight-loss goal.
We’ve helped thousands of people achieve healthier weight, and we'll be with you every step of the way.