Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure that can help individuals struggling with obesity achieve long-term weight loss and improve their overall health. However, maintaining weight loss after bariatric surgery requires more than just the physical changes from the surgery. It also requires creating and maintaining healthy habits. Here's what you need to know about the importance of habit-forming after bariatric surgery.
Establishing new eating habits: After bariatric surgery, it's important to establish new eating habits to support long-term weight loss. This includes eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding high-calorie, high-fat foods.
Creating an exercise routine: Exercise is an important aspect of maintaining weight loss and improving overall health after bariatric surgery. Creating an exercise routine can help individuals stay motivated and committed to their health goals.
Incorporating mindfulness: Mindfulness can be a helpful tool in managing emotional eating and reducing stress after bariatric surgery. Mindfulness practices such as meditation or yoga can help individuals stay focused on their health goals and manage emotional triggers.
Setting achievable goals: Setting achievable goals is an important part of maintaining motivation and commitment after bariatric surgery. It's important to set realistic goals that can be achieved in a reasonable amount of time to help maintain momentum and avoid burnout.
Seeking support: Maintaining healthy habits after bariatric surgery can be challenging, particularly in the face of emotional or psychological triggers. Seeking support from a therapist or support group can be helpful in managing these challenges and staying committed to health goals.
In summary, creating and maintaining healthy habits is a critical aspect of maintaining weight loss and improving overall health after bariatric surgery. By establishing new eating habits, creating an exercise routine, incorporating mindfulness, setting achievable goals, and seeking support, individuals can effectively maintain their health and well-being after bariatric surgery. If you're considering bariatric surgery as a treatment option and have questions about maintaining healthy habits, talk to your healthcare provider, including a mental health professional. A therapist can help you establish healthy habits and provide support throughout your post-surgery journey.