Aftercare post bariatric surgery is crucial for ensuring long term success, preventing complications, and achieving sustainable weight loss. Bariatric surgery is a life changing procedure that can significantly improve the health and well-being of individuals suffering from obesity. However, the success of bariatric surgery is not solely dependent on the surgery itself but also on the aftercare that follows. Aftercare post bariatric surgery is crucial for ensuring long term success, preventing complications, and achieving sustainable weight loss. Here’s why aftercare is essential:
Dietary guidance post-bariatric surgery
The first few days and weeks after bariatric surgery can be hard. If we look specifically at the gastric sleeve, the most popular weight loss procedure, it can be difficult to sufficient fluid and eating can be slow and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, there is no way around this initially because to get good long term results, the sleeve has to be narrow, just over a centimetre in diameter. Due to post-operative swelling, it may feel very small immediately after surgery.
By 3-4 months post-surgery, most patients are able to eat a relatively wide range of foods.
Long term, patients should be able to eat a good range of foods with the sleeve, provided they eat slowly, take small bites and chew well.
Nutritional deficiencies can be common, and patients often require supplements to meet their dietary needs. Aftercare post bariatric surgery involves working with a dietitian to develop a balanced diet that meets your nutritional needs without overloading your smaller stomach. Key components include:
- Protein intake: Essential for healing and maintaining muscle mass.
- Vitamins and minerals: Supplements like vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and vitamin D are often necessary to prevent deficiencies.
- Hydration: Drinking enough fluids while avoiding dehydration is vital.
Managing bariatric surgery scars
Scarring is a common concern for many patients undergoing bariatric surgery. While minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic surgery reduce scarring, patients may still have visible marks. Aftercare post bariatric surgery plays a crucial role in managing and minimising scars:
- Proper wound care: Keeping the surgical site clean and dry to prevent infection and promote healing.
- Scar treatments: Using silicone sheets, gels, or other treatments as recommended by your medical team to reduce the appearance of scars.
- Monitoring for infections: Being vigilant for signs of infection around the scar, such as redness, swelling, or unusual discharge, and seeking prompt medical attention if needed.
- Patience and realistic expectations: Understanding that scars will fade over time but may not completely disappear, and setting realistic expectations for scar appearance.
Regular follow ups in aftercare post-bariatric surgery
Scheduled follow up appointments with your aftercare team are critical to monitor your progress and detect any potential complications early. These appointments typically include:
- Tracking progress with a dietitian: Monitoring weight loss and ensuring it is proceeding at a healthy rate.
- Adjusting treatments: Modifying dietary and exercise plans based on the patient’s progress and needs.
- Preventing complications: Early detection and intervention for potential complications such as nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal issues, or psychological challenges.
- Providing support and encouragement: Offering ongoing motivation and addressing any concerns or challenges the patient may face.
Exercise and physical activity post-bariatric surgery
A fundamental part of losing weight is that your body will become more efficient at moving. You may notice that you get out of breath easily. As you lose weight, your body will not have to work as hard to produce the same amount of force from your muscles to move your body, this is because it has less weight to carry. For instance, walking up a steep hill at the moment may be hard and cause you to get out of breath easily; this is because of the excess weight you are carrying. Once you lose the excess weight gradually you will find movement and exercise easier and easier.
Incorporating regular physical activity is a key component of long-term success post-surgery. Streamline’s Aftercare programmes include:
- Personalised exercise plans: Tailored to your new physical capabilities and weight loss goals.
- Physical therapy: To help you safely build strength and improve mobility, especially if you have pre-existing joint issues.
Behavioural and psychological support aftercare post-bariatric surgery
The journey to weight loss and maintenance is not just physical but also psychological. Many patients face emotional and behavioural challenges post surgery. Psychological support and support groups can provide valuable assistance in dealing with issues such as:
- Emotional eating: Learning new coping mechanisms for stress and emotional triggers that previously led to overeating.
- Body Image changes: Adjusting to a rapidly changing body can be mentally challenging.
- Mental health: Addressing any underlying mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, which can affect weight loss efforts.
Streamline’s aftercare packages
At Streamline, we believe that aftercare is crucial after weight loss surgery as it ensures not only the initial success of losing weight but also provides the support and guidance necessary for maintaining the achieved weight loss in the long-term.
Our aftercare packages are designed to give you the right support for your journey to a healthier life after bariatric surgery. Depending on your chosen plan, you can benefit from up to 2 years of comprehensive aftercare. This includes regular blood screenings, dietetic appointments, personal (1-1) sessions with your surgeon, and access to the ExiLife exercise app. You’ll also receive Elan vitamin & minerals supplements to ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs.
Dietetics and aftercare
Dietetic support is crucial in your aftercare journey. Regular appointments with your specialist dietitian will help you manage the dietary changes required after surgery, ensuring you stay motivated and make sustainable adjustments. These appointments are also essential for interpreting blood test results and adjusting your diet or supplements as needed.
Physiology and aftercare
Exercise is another crucial component of your aftercare. Our dedicated exercise physiologist will work with you from your initial consultation to help you maintain and improve your mobility post-surgery. Tailored exercise plans will support your physical recovery, help prevent injuries, and track changes in your body composition. With the weight loss you are likely to exhibit from surgery, it is important that you maintain activity post-operative and our physiologist will assist you with a slow and steady approach.
Psychology and aftercare
Psychological support is equally important. You may find that surgery creates a new set of challenges to deal with and adjusting to life after bariatric surgery can be challenging. Our specialist psychologist is here to help you navigate this. Whether it’s managing long-standing habits, coping with body image changes, or handling difficult emotions, psychological support can be vital in ensuring you achieve and maintain your health goals.
Vitamin & mineral supplements and aftercare
Lastly, lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation is essential due to the changes in your digestive system post-surgery. Our specialised bariatric supplements are designed to prevent deficiencies and support your overall health, ensuring you get the best results from your surgery. Your dietitian will guide you in choosing the right supplements to meet your unique needs.
For more information on our aftercare packages, please visit our aftercare page.
