Obesity surgery can help accelerate weight loss. However, the post-operative follow-up and support process is crucial. It is important to be knowledgeable about what needs to be done during this process.
Regular check-ups should be carried out after the surgery. During these check-ups, the patient’s health status is monitored and the treatment plan may be changed if necessary. After obesity surgery, a proper nutrition plan is important. Following the recommended nutrition plan is important to maintain weight loss after the surgery. Exercising after surgery also helps accelerate weight loss and maintain health. However, the exercise program should be determined by your doctor.
After obesity surgery, you may need to take supplements to get the vitamins and minerals for your body needs. Additionally, psychological support after obesity surgery is also crucial. Being psychologically supported during this process can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
These follow-up and support processes are important for maintaining a healthy life after obesity surgery. However, every patient’s situation is different and your doctor will develop a personalized follow-up and support plan for you.
The follow-up and support process after obesity surgery is extremely important. Here are the necessary follow-ups to be carried out during this process.
1. Regular Check-Ups
Regular check-ups after obesity surgery are crucial for patients to maintain their health and sustain weight loss after surgery. These check-ups are necessary to monitor patients’ health status and prevent potential complications after surgery.
Frequency and Duration of Check-Ups
The first check-ups after obesity surgery are usually performed in the first few weeks after surgery, and then check-ups should be done at the frequency recommended by your doctor. The frequency and duration of check-ups may vary depending on the type of surgery, the patient’s health status, and weight loss. However, it is generally recommended to have regular check-ups for the first year. During this process, the patient’s health status and weight loss are monitored, and the treatment plan may be changed if necessary.
Check-Up Contents
During post-operative check-ups after obesity surgery, the patient’s health status is monitored, and possible complications are identified. The content of the check-up may vary depending on the patient’s health status and type of surgery. However, the following procedures are usually performed during the check-up:
Blood tests: Blood tests are performed to monitor the patient’s vital values such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
Physical examination: A physical examination is performed to evaluate the patient’s weight loss and health status.
Nutrition counseling: Nutrition counseling can be received during check-ups. The nutrition specialist helps the patient maintain weight loss by reviewing their nutrition plan.
Exercise plan: The exercise plan is determined by the doctor to increase the patient’s physical activity level. The exercise program may vary depending on the patient’s health status and weight loss.
Side Effect Evaluation
Some side effects may occur after obesity surgery. These side effects may include nausea, vomiting, gas, constipation, headache, fatigue, and weakness. During the check-up, the patient should be informed about these side effects, and the treatment plan may need to be changed if necessary.
Patients who have undergone obesity surgery should also have regular check-ups for other diseases related to obesity, such as hypertension and diabetes. Regular check-ups are essential for monitoring these diseases.
2. Following the Nutrition Plan
Following the nutrition plan after obesity surgery is crucial for the patient to lose weight in a healthy way and achieve long-term success. Monitoring the nutrition plan ensures that the patient is adequately nourished and avoids unnecessary calorie intake. The nutrition plan after obesity surgery varies depending on the type of surgery. However, the general nutrition plan is planned as follows:
Protein-Focused Nutrition
After obesity surgery, a protein-focused nutrition plan accelerates the patient’s weight loss and helps maintain muscle mass. A protein-focused nutrition plan limits the consumption of high-calorie and high-carbohydrate foods. Therefore, it is recommended for patients to consume protein-rich foods such as chicken, fish, milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs.
Fluid Intake
After obesity surgery, patients should pay attention to their fluid intake. In some cases, consuming only liquid foods may be necessary for the first few days after surgery, and solid foods are gradually added. Fluid intake, especially water intake, ensures that patients receive adequate fluid intake. In addition, carbonated drinks, alcohol, and drinks containing high amounts of sugar should be avoided.
Meal Plan
After obesity surgery, patients should pay attention to their meal plans. Eating small meals frequently ensures that the body receives adequate nutrition and prevents unnecessary calorie intake. Protein-rich and fibrous foods should be preferred in meals. Also, meals should be eaten slowly.
Monitoring
Monitoring the nutrition plan after obesity surgery is crucial for the patient’s successful weight loss. Patients are recommended to regularly follow their nutrition plans and seek dietitian support if necessary. Additionally, monitoring the nutrition plan is necessary to maintain the effect of the surgery in the long term.
3. Exercise Tracking
Exercising after obesity surgery helps patients accelerate weight loss, shape their bodies, maintain muscle mass, and improve their overall health. However, before starting exercise after obesity surgery, patients should consult with their doctors and establish an appropriate exercise plan. Here is more detailed information about exercise tracking after obesity surgery:
Exercise Plan
It is important for patients to establish an appropriate exercise plan after obesity surgery. The exercise plan can vary depending on the type of surgery, the patient’s overall health condition, and lifestyle. Generally, the exercise program is gradually started and increased over time. It is important for patients to consult with their doctors when determining their exercise plan.
Aerobic Exercises
After obesity surgery, patients are recommended to focus on aerobic exercises. Aerobic exercises are beneficial for heart health and increase fat burning. Activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, dancing, and running can be done. The starting level of exercises can vary depending on the patient’s overall health condition and the effects of the surgery.
Strength Training
Performing strength exercises after obesity surgery helps maintain muscle mass. Strength exercises include activities such as weight lifting, using resistance bands, doing bodyweight exercises, and using fitness machines. Strength exercises promote strength, muscle mass preservation, and metabolism acceleration.
Exercise Duration
When exercising after obesity surgery, patients are recommended to gradually increase their exercise duration. Initially, the exercise duration can be 15-20 minutes and can be increased over time. The duration of exercises can vary depending on the patient’s overall health condition and exercise level.
Regular Tracking
Exercise tracking after obesity surgery is extremely important for patients to achieve long-term success. Exercise tracking helps patients to follow their exercise programs and measure their progress. Exercise tracking also helps patients to maintain their exercise routines and maintain adequate activity levels. Doctors recommend patients to conduct regular tracking and determine details such as how they are doing exercises and how often they are doing them.
Exercise Recommendations
When exercising after obesity surgery, patients are recommended to follow the following suggestions:
- Start slowly and gradually increase over time.
- Be sure to drink enough water during exercise.
- Do warm-up exercises before exercising.
- Wear appropriate shoes and comfortable clothes while exercising.
- Stop exercising when you become overly tired and have difficulty breathing.
- Check your heart rate during exercise and share it with your doctor.
- Muscle pain and fatigue are normal during exercise, but consult with your doctor in case of severe pain or discomfort.
4. Monitoring Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Vitamin and mineral supplements are crucial to meeting the nutritional needs of patients after obesity surgery. Since obesity surgery is often done to reduce the size of the stomach or change the digestive system, the body may experience vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These deficiencies can lead to some serious health problems. Therefore, it is necessary for patients to be careful in taking vitamin and mineral supplements after obesity surgery.
Which Vitamins and Minerals Should be Supplemented?
The most commonly supplemented vitamins and minerals after obesity surgery are:
Iron: Patients are at high risk of iron deficiency after obesity surgery. Iron supplements help the body produce red blood cells.
Calcium: The body may reduce calcium absorption after obesity surgery. Calcium supplements are important for bone health.
B12 vitamin: Patients are at high risk of B12 vitamin deficiency after obesity surgery. B12 vitamin supplements help in the production of blood cells.
D vitamin: Patients are at high risk of D vitamin deficiency after obesity surgery. D vitamin supplements are important for bone health.
Folic acid: Folic acid supplements are necessary to renew your cells and support the formation of new cells.
Zinc: Zinc supplements are necessary to support immune system function.
A vitamin: A vitamin supplements are necessary to protect your skin and eye health.
How Much Supplement Should You Take?
The dosage of vitamin and mineral supplements may vary depending on the patient’s age, weight, and gender. Therefore, doctors may perform blood tests to determine the patient’s needs. In addition, doctors may provide recommendations on how often and in what form patients should take supplements.
Possible Side Effects of Supplements
The side effects of vitamin and mineral supplements are rare, but some patients may experience digestive system discomfort, nausea, or diarrhea. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking supplements. Your doctor can determine the most appropriate supplement dosage for you and inform you about possible side effects of supplements.
Tracking Supplements
Monitoring vitamin and mineral supplements after obesity surgery is extremely important to improve patients’ health. You should make sure to take your supplements regularly. Also, it is important to consult your doctor before taking supplements with any food or medication.
In addition to vitamin and mineral supplements, it is also important for patients to monitor their eating habits. You should regularly consume protein, fiber, vitamin, and mineral-rich foods. Also, you should monitor your fluid intake. Fluid intake may also be limited after obesity surgery.
5. Psychological Monitoring
Psychological support monitoring after obesity surgery is crucial to help patients adopt a healthy lifestyle and reach their weight loss goals. Here is why psychological support monitoring is important after obesity surgery, what types of support are available, and how they can be beneficial.
Why is Psychological Support Monitoring Important?
Psychological support monitoring after obesity surgery helps address patients’ psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, weight loss, and body image issues that they may have experienced before and after surgery. These problems can hinder patients from adopting a healthy lifestyle and reaching their weight loss goals.
Psychological support can help patients feel better about themselves, increase their self-confidence, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and reach their weight loss goals. Additionally, psychological support can help patients achieve their weight loss goals by monitoring their eating habits and physical activity levels, providing them with customized treatment and counseling.
What Types of Psychological Support are Available?
There are different options available for psychological support monitoring after obesity surgery. These include:
Individual Counseling: This involves face-to-face meetings with a specialist. Patients can express their psychological problems and receive customized treatment and counseling.
Group Therapy: This involves therapy sessions with a group of people. Group therapy allows patients to communicate with each other, share similar experiences, and support each other.
Online Support: This enables patients to communicate with specialists online. This type of support allows patients to access psychological support and weight loss goals more quickly and easily.
How Can Psychological Support Be Beneficial?
Psychological support following bariatric surgery can be very helpful for patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle and achieve their weight loss goals. Here are the benefits of psychological support after bariatric surgery:
1. Reduces Stress: The changes experienced after bariatric surgery can cause patients to feel stressed and anxious. Psychological support can help reduce their stress levels and make them feel calmer and more relaxed.
2. Increases Self-Confidence: Achieving weight loss goals after bariatric surgery requires time and patience. Psychological support increases patients’ self-confidence and provides the motivation they need to reach their goals.
3. Improves Eating Habits: Changing eating habits after bariatric surgery can be challenging. Psychological support monitors patients’ eating habits and helps them change them as needed to develop healthy eating habits.
4. Increases Physical Activity Levels: It is important to increase physical activity levels after bariatric surgery. Psychological support monitors patients’ physical activity levels and helps them make necessary changes to engage in regular exercise.
5. Improves Quality of Life: Psychological support after bariatric surgery can help patients feel better overall, adopt a healthier lifestyle, and improve their quality of life.
Overall, psychological support after bariatric surgery is an important factor in helping patients adopt a healthy lifestyle and achieve their weight loss goals. There are different options available such as individual counseling, group therapy, and online support. These support systems can address patients’ psychological issues, reduce their stress levels, improve their eating habits and physical activity levels, increase their self-confidence, and improve their quality of life.