Sleeve Gastrectomy can rapidly change your life. Most patients see a 60% reduction in excess body weight within six months 1* (* Results may vary from person to person). Weight-related conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and sleep apnoea significantly improve or disappear altogether. Everyday you'll feel lighter, be able to do more than you could before, and stay active for longer periods of time.
After six months that rapid weight loss slows as your body adjusts to your new caloric intake. By nine months it's almost stopped. That's why it's so important to act quickly and take advantage of the positive energy and momentum now.
What You Can Do to Maintain that Weight Loss Momentum?
Get Active
You'll find being active easier now than before your surgery. You're not carrying as much excess weight and the burden on your heart, lungs, and joints has significantly decreased. Use that to your advantage. Build strong habits and hobbies that keep you moving. They'll help you push past that weight loss plateau and, more importantly, add much joy to your life.
Think Beyond the Gym Walls
- Hiking—Walking is excellent cardiovascular exercise and the changing scenery will keep your senses engaged.
- Ocean Swimming—(Above or below the waves) burns more calories plus you get to enjoy the sand and sunshine.
- Kayaking—Keep your heart pumping while the world glides past.
- Run—It may be hard at first but you'll build tolerance. Events like the City2Surf let you team up with like-minded individuals for mental support while raising money for good causes.
Keep Your Lifestyle Fresh
Routines can become boring. Shake things up by keeping your new lifestyle fresh and exciting. Trying new things, seeing new places, meeting new people all keep your mind engaged and your weight loss momentum on a roll.
Rethink Your Relations with Food
Many people use food as a crutch. We eat –and even feel "hunger"—when we're stressed, bored, or in need of comfort. Sleeve gastrectomy can give you an opportunity to reassess your relationship with food and see it for what it really is: fuel for your new body.
Of course you need to change your diet. Swapping out your high-calorie fatty foods for fresh vegies and fruit, lean meats, and healthy proteins like nuts is essential (though you can still indulge within reason).And remember, understanding why you eat is as important as watching what you eat.
Think of the first six months as a window of opportunity to change the rest of your life. You are unlikely to have this opportunity ever again so don't let it goes to waste. Use it to break the unhealthy old habits and create new, healthy ones that will help you maintain your weight loss and live a richer, more fulfilling life.
Reference:
1. Diamantis T, Apostolou KG, Alexandrou A, Griniatsos J, Felekouras E, Tsigris C. Review of long-term weight loss results after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2014;10(1):177-183.
