Bariatric surgery is a great option if you are seeking a rapid and long-term weight loss solution. Even though it is the most effective tool to treat obesity, it is not easy. For successful results, patients must follow guidelines and avoid these 6 risky mistakes after bariatric surgery.

Mistake #1 Not Taking Post-Op Vitamins After Bariatric Surgery

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After bariatric surgery, it is crucial that patients adhere to appropriate vitamin intake. Because patients eat such a low-calorie diet, taking the appropriate supplements is important. (Visit EmergeBariatrics.com to order bariatric vitamins)

Bariatric Formulated Multi-Vitamins

While not taking vitamins may not show any consequences immediately, it can over time. Levels may seem normal for a while but then begin to drop, causing a series of health issues such as:

Mistake #2 Not Following Pre-Op or Post-Op Diet Plan

Bariatric Surgery Pre-Op and Post-Op Diet correlate directly to the long-term success of the weight loss procedure. Generally, bariatric surgery gives patients the tool to eat less and not feel starving all the time.

It offers patients the time to create healthy habits, including following the post-op diet long enough so it becomes natural.

Pre-Op Diet

The pre-op diet helps prepare the body to prepare for surgery. By following this diet, patients avoid the risk of complications during surgery. Not following pre-op diet guidelines can also lead to surgery cancellation.

Post-Op Diet

After undergoing bariatric surgery, it is important that patients eat right. The gastric sleeve, for example, requires a post-op diet consisting of several phases. These phases help the patient go from liquids to solid foods over time.

If these guidelines are not followed, stomach and gastrointestinal problems are a risk. A proper post-op diet also helps ensure the patient loses weight at a good rate.

Mistake #3 Not Drinking Enough Water

The body needs water to aid in the healing process after surgery. Appropriate intake of water also helps patients to feel more energized. Water also increases weight loss in patients and avoids detrimental health issues.

Click here to read about the health benefits of drinking lemon water.

Mistake #4 Snacking too Much

Consuming extra calories throughout the day can be easy if you aren’t careful. Grabbing small handfuls of snacks to munch on throughout the day may seem harmless, but it can hurt you. A good way to avoid this is to keep snacks out in plain sight and stick to a meal plan as needed. Otherwise, you may stack hundreds of extra calories a day without realizing it!

Mistake #5 Drinking Alcohol

While alcohol does not provide any nutritional value, it does contain calories. Each gram of alcohol contains 7 calories the body has no use for. It is especially important that gastric bypass patients avoid alcohol. Gastric bypass causes alcohol to enter the bloodstream at a more rapid rate.

It is possible to introduce alcohol into your diet after surgery with the consent of a dietitian or physician. But it is best that alcohol is not introduced too quickly in order to avoid complications.

Check Out: Here is a guide on drinking alcohol after gastric sleeve surgery.

Mistake #6 Drinking Carbonated Drinks

Drinking carbonated beverages after bariatric surgery puts patients at risk. Some carbonated beverages, such as soda, also contain high levels of sugar. Sugar is not a recommended source of calories for our patients and can lead to a lack of weight loss in patients. Another negative side effect of carbonated beverages is that it causes dehydration after weight loss surgery.

Drinks containing CO2 can also make it difficult to distinguish between gas pain and more serious pain right after surgery. The acid in most can also cause gastric erosion over time.

Bariatric Surgery Takes Discipline

There is a misconception that bariatric surgery is an easy way out of being overweight or obese. But this is not true since patients must maintain discipline and work hard for their new bodies. If you avoid these 6 risky mistakes after bariatric surgery, you have a better chance of long-term success.

Many who undergo bariatric surgery also have a large emotional journey ahead of them. To best ensure that patients come out ahead, it is important to avoid mistakes like these.

People from all across the globe have traveled for bariatric surgery in Tijuana. Our specialized surgeons perform procedures such as gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. Through their efforts, many patients have achieved amazing success by following proper preoperative and postoperative guidelines.