Meal Prepping After Weight Loss Surgery

If you’re like me, your social media is probably bombarded with posts, pins, stories, and reels showcasing all kinds of inspiring meal-prepping hacks. From the cool containers to the seemingly seamless grab-and-go lifestyle, meal prepping can be a great way to save time and money and stay on track with your dietary goals.  Here are some great meal-prepping tips as well as why they work:

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Will I Feel Like Myself After Bariatric Surgery?

So, you’re considering having bariatric surgery. One of your concerns and questions might be, “Will I feel like myself after it’s all said and done?” It’s a good question and one worth exploring. Read on to investigate the possible effects of bariatric surgery on self-image.

If you were asked to describe someone, odds are the first few characteristics would be physical – height, hair color, stature, and style. We’re visual creatures and what we outwardly see tells us a lot about a person. Similarly, your physical body is part of how you see yourself. Maybe you’ve always been the “big guy,” the “curvy girl,” etc.  By contrast, after I had reached my weight loss goal, people called me “tiny,” “petite,” and “fit” – things I had never associated with who I am.  It was a bit jarring, to say the least!

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How Bariatric Surgery Changed My Life

If I’m being totally honest, a lot of what drove my decision to have bariatric surgery was vain.  I wanted to feel attractive.  I wanted to buy clothes at any store, to wear any style.  I was fortunate enough not to really have any health problems related to my weight.  So, my goals focused more on the surface – the visible results.  Now, almost three years post-op, I’m amazed at the surprising ripples of change that weight loss surgery has had in my life.

I lost weight, of course—140 pounds, to be exact.  So, I achieved my outward appearance goals.  I went from a size 2XL to an XS.  But I came to find that the unexpected changes were the ones that were more valuable to me.

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What to Do When Cravings Hit

A common myth about bariatric surgery is that it is a “magic” solution or “the easy way out” for significant weight loss.  Although bariatric surgery restricts how MUCH you can eat, it’s certainly not a cure-all for cravings.  Read on for tips on what to do when those old cravings creep their way back in!

They say the real weight loss battle occurs not in the stomach but between the ears. Even though you’ll only be able to eat small amounts at a time, if you make unhealthy choices, your success will be short-lived.

But hey, we’re only human.  Sometimes you still want chips, ice cream, candy, whatever your go-to craving is!  So, then what do you do?  If you’re like most unsuccessful dieters, you’ll try to get by on sheer willpower, occasionally fail, beat yourself up over it and end up feeling depressed.  Setting up that negative feedback loop makes you feel worse and more powerless about your diet “cheats.”  They become more frequent as you eat to feel better but then feel worse because you ate. Hop off that rollercoaster! Continue reading

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery Beyond Weight Loss

The most apparent benefit of bariatric surgery is weight loss, of course. But there are many other benefits that we can reap (some more obvious than others).  Read on to learn about the many surprising benefits bariatric surgery can offer!

Assuming you follow the diet and exercise guidelines post-op, you will be losing fat while building muscle.  Building muscle alone has several significant benefits. Strong musculature increases your resting metabolic rate, meaning you will be burning more calories even when not exercising. Further, good musculature improves balance and takes the strain off your joints.

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How Do I Know I’m Ready for Bariatric Surgery?

So, you’re considering having bariatric surgery.  It’s a big decision and not one to be made lightly!  So, how do you know if you’re ready?  Read on for some questions to ask yourself to help you make the right decision for you.

Are You Ready to Eat Differently?

Bariatric surgery being seen as “the easy way out” is a myth.  Although most everyone will lose weight initially, the weight can come back unless you make lifelong, lasting changes to your diet.  If you’re considering bariatric surgery, know that you are committing to change for good!

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How Much Should I Exercise After Bariatric Surgery?

You’ve done it!  You had bariatric surgery!  Now what?  You’ll find detailed instructions for diet and the different stages of what to eat and when.  But that’s only half of the battle!  The other half (and just as important) is exercise.  But how do you go about it?  What kinds of activities should you do?  How much and how often?  Read on to find some helpful tips to build a routine that works!

Exercise is vital to long-term success for bariatric patients.  In the simplest terms, weight loss occurs when we are “spending” more calories than we’re taking in.  When that happens, our bodies must burn fat to compensate for the extra energy needed.  The more calories you burn in exercise, the more effectively you lose weight!

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What Will Happen to My Skin After Weight Loss Surgery?

With significant weight loss comes excess skin.  This can be even more so with the rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery.  If you’ve done any research about weight loss surgery, you’ve probably seen some stunning photos of people with large amounts of excess skin.  If you consider weight loss surgery, the fear of unsightly loose skin may make you nervous. Loose skin can indeed be both physically and emotionally uncomfortable to deal with. Read on to learn more about changes you can expect in your skin.

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Staying on Track During Summer

It’s happened to us all.  You’ve gotten into a groove.  You have a diet and exercise plan that’s working for you.  And then your whole routine gets disrupted.  Summer is the time of barbecues, parties, weddings, and vacations.  Without a good plan, the activities can be full of pitfalls.  Read on for tips about staying on track with your weight loss goals during the summer!

First things first, make sure you’re ready.  If you are still in the early stages of recovery (for example, on a pureed diet), you’re unlikely to have many (if any) options at a party or restaurant.  You also may not have the energy level for a big event or trip.  Even if you are just barely back to eating regular foods, you may not be ready.  Ensure you’re fully healed and have successfully re-introduced various foods to your diet to ensure your stomach tolerates them.  Nobody wants to get sick in the middle of a party or trip!

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What to Expect in the Recovery Room

You’re likely curious about what to expect right after the procedure if you’re considering bariatric surgery.  I know I was!  Having never had surgery before, I was more than a little nervous.  Read on to learn more about what to expect on the big day!

I remember sitting in the bed in the pre-op room, nervous as I’ve ever been—gown on, IV in my arm. I started to question myself.  “Am I sure I want to do this?”  My pulse and blood pressure gave away my anxiety, and a lovely nurse asked me how I was feeling.  Call it luck, chance, or divine intervention, but it turns out that she’d had bariatric surgery a few weeks before!  Her encouraging words and seeing her working, happily and easily, calmed my nerves.

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