Non compliance is always the main reason for any regains post bariatric surgery.

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive in !

I have lots of messages and emails related to plateaus and stalls and regains during this time of the year.  I think people are getting revved up for the Thanksgiving holiday and seeing relatives and friends that they have not seen in a while. I think that bariatric patients begin to get that feeling that they need to prove something to others when it comes to their bariatric surgery journey. I am here to tell you that you have nothing to prove to anyone but yourself.  It’s time to look at the real reasons for that plateau or stall or small regain. 

It is important to recognise different phases throughout your bariatric surgery journey and to figuratively “get a grip” on all of them before anything can spiral out of control.  I am going to say it again – “Non Compliance is the first reason for any downfalls”.

Let me go into more detail below….

The number one reason for any regains following bariatric surgery is simply patient non-compliance. Patients still have a “not so healthy” relationship with food that surgery alone cannot fix. They continue to consume high calorie coffees or fruit drinks and try to keep slider foods and trigger foods in their lives. These items are in great part what led to their obesity to begin with and can include sweets, bread, and alcohol. Trigger foods often do little to satisfy hunger but can create cravings. Successful patients engage in a post-surgical lifestyle that is free of trigger or slider foods. 

Another reason for regain post bariatric surgery is that within the first year post surgery, goals are quickly reached and without too much difficulty.  Many patients will compromise their post op plans that have been given to them and ignore the suggestions for maintenance from their nutritionists but still continue to drop the pounds.  When the body is used to the new physiology and the bad habits have not been changed, patients are going to have overall bad results.  The patterns of healthy exercise and nutrition needs to be developed during that first year post surgery.  It’s not too late to get back on track but patients need to admit to these flaws and work to change them right away and reach out for support to their nutritionists.

The last reason I am going to discuss is the lack of support that some bariatric patients feel post surgery.  They sometimes find themselves in a place where their friends and family are not supportive or they do not know how to lend good support.  This leaves patients in a place where they really need to rely on themselves and be self accountable for any gains or losses.  Success comes from the patient who maintains and develops support from people who understand the challenges of bariatric patients.  

The real point is to not blame your surgery this week if you “stray from healthy patterns” but try your best to get back to what you know works best and get back to the basics of your healthy bariatric lifestyle.  Reach out of you need any assistance on getting back on track.

About the Author: Sheri Burke is a Nutritionist and Bariatric Coordinator at International Patient Facilitators in Tijuana and Cancun, Mexico. She has worked with bariatric surgery patients for 10 years and especially enjoys providing nutritional guidance to pre and post bariatric patients.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two teens, husband and two furry friends.

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Weight loss can be intensely challenging. It calls for a whole lot of hard work, and consistent motivation. A lot of people indulge in all kinds of tricks to shed fat, and the wrong kind of practices can take quite the toll on your mental and physical well-being.

The journey of losing weight and becoming a healthier individual doesn’t have to make you miserable. What’s important is to focus on making a lifestyle change—one that you want to sustain for a long time to come.

Don’t Starve

Avoiding food entirely or fad diets that consist of barely there nutrition is not the way to go. This is unhealthy and entirely ineffective. Your weight loss journey doesn’t have to be about being perpetually hungry and miserable!

Portion Control

This is a great way to curb your food intake. Keep track of your food portions, and reduce the amount you eat every meal. A number of small meals—comprised of the right kind of nutrition—are better than a few large meals.

Don’t Shop on an Empty Stomach

If you do your grocery shopping when you’re hungry, you’re more likely to buy food items on impulse. A full stomach means you’ll be much more discerning and more conscious about making healthier choices when shopping.

Increased Water Intake

Water is essential to your body, so this is a habit that everyone should be cultivating. According to a study, if you drink water before meals, this can also aid in the weight loss process! Down about 16 ounces of water at least 30 minutes before all your meals.

A Sustainable Diet

Losing weight is all about making lifestyle changes, and a change in diet needs to be something that is sustainable in the long-run. You need to eat healthy, but you also need to eat things you like.

Bariatric Surgery

Sometimes, the right option for weight loss is bariatric surgery. These procedures can go a long way in helping those dealing with obesity get their weight under their control. It should not be seen as an easy way out, but rather, as a much-needed aid for the weight loss process in certain scenarios.

There are a number of different options that fall within bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and lap-band surgery.

At International Patient Facilitators, we help clients make the right decision according to their health needs.

We help you access the leading doctors for bariatric surgery in Mexico, connecting you with all the right resources to ensure you get the best care possible. Contact us at 1-800-210-5124 to find out more.

As a bariatric patient, you may already have some ideas about the benefits these procedures offer for weight loss.

Aside from the obvious loss of fat, bariatric surgeries affect your health by:

• Improving cardiovascular health
• Relieving symptoms of depression through significant positive physical and physiological changes
• Long-term remission of Type II diabetes
• Eliminating sleep apnea
• Relieving joint pain
• Improving fertility
• Alleviating medical conditions like pregnancy complications, metabolic syndrome and more

Apart from the benefits listed above, here are a few more things a bariatric surgery can do for you:

Better Hormonal Balance

Your thyroid gland releases important hormones which helps your body maintain its metabolism and muscle strength. By getting rid of excess fat, your body allows those hormones to become steady, and that further aids in effective weight loss.

Improved Sex Drive

Weight loss leads to a boost in  testosterone levels in men, which allows for an increased libido. Even patients that are able to drop 10 pounds see an increase in their sex drive, since working out and losing weight increases blood flow to the pelvic region, which in turn stimulates sex hormones.

 Better Mood

Weight loss when balanced with diet and exercise releases endorphins, which are also known as feel good chemicals. Endorphins reduce the feeling of pain, and give you that high you feel when you work out. This delivers a positive message to your brain and makes you feel happier.

Improved Memory

Losing weights leads to a boost in brainpower. According to numerous researches, patients who lose total body fat report a sharper memory because their endorphins allow them to focus on the details of the task at hand.

Fewer Colds

Mostly, bariatric procedures are paired with protein-heavy diets to assist in weight loss. Fueling in produce and protein gives your body the nutrients it needs to boost white blood cell function. This then strengthens your immune system and leads to a healthier lifestyle.

Lesser Medicine

Once you’re healthier and eating clean, the effect on your overall body function will lead to less health risks and that will cause a drop in your intake for certain prescriptions medicine. Though, we do suggest that you consult with your physician before stopping your prescriptions.

Lesser Effect of Allergies

Added weight puts a strain on your respiratory system, and that can be a problem if it’s paired with any allergy symptoms that burden your breathing. Losing weight clears your system and allows you to breathe easily.

Increases Life Expectancy

An active and healthy lifestyle will keep you in peak physical condition and will cause less health problems when you are older.

Opt for Bariatric Surgery in Mexico

As a program that offers affordable bariatric surgery in Mexico, we strive to provide our clients with the best information possible so they’re encouraged to take the right steps for their health.

Consider the best bariatric surgery option for your weight loss through our help!