As a country, many people are overweight and out of shape. The hit television show Biggest Loser, which usually only focuses on adults even had children on the show this season to help bring awareness to the issue of childhood obesity. For many people getting back in shape simply means eating right and becoming as active as our bodies will allow us to be. However, for some exercise and eating right just aren’t enough. In these instances more significant measures must be considered, such as being placed on a bariatric diet or undergoing surgery.
Do you qualify?
The first question a potential patient for this type of surgery needs to ask their physician may seem like a bit of an odd one. Do you qualify for the surgery? Yes, there are specific criteria patients must meet before the procedure can be considered. For example, you qualify if your Body Mass Index or BMI is 40 or above. You may also qualify if your BMI is 30-39 and you have a serious weight related health issue such as type 2 Diabetes.
Pre-Surgery Diet
Once you qualify for the surgery, your surgeon may place you on a strict pre-surgery diet. This regimen will help prepare you mentally and physically for life after your surgery. Changing your diet prior to surgery can also have an impact on the success of the surgery itself as it will help shrink the size of your liver making it easier for the surgeon to see. Your pre-surgery routine will typically begin one to two months before your scheduled procedure. The diet will be high in protein and low in calories, approximately 800-1200 a day.
Post-Surgery Recovery and Diet
Recovering from any major medical procedure takes time. No two people recover exactly the same way, so do not be discouraged if you are not seeing the results a friend did as soon as they did. The results will come in time. Your diet post-surgery will change through a course of five stages from liquid to pureed and finally regular foods. Your medical team will advise you as you work through the recovery process on what to eat and when.
A bariatric diet and both pre and post-surgery are important to ensure the success of which ever procedure the patient and their medical team deem right. Think of this lifestyle change as a chance to regain your health and get begin a new active life.
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Samantha Wideman is part of a team of writers and specializes in writing about current news events.
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