Adjusting to life after weight loss surgery

It can be tricky to know what to expect after your weight loss surgery. You might notice some changes you hadn’t prepared for — or feel frustrated that some things haven’t changed as quickly as you’d hoped. This is all normal. Here are four areas where you might notice some changes — and tips on what you can do to help feel your best.

Your social life

Social activities often revolve around food and alcohol, so it’s important to think through strategies that will help you feel more comfortable in situations where you feel pressure or temptation to overindulge.

Should you tell people about your surgery?

There’s no right or wrong answer. Some people like to explain why they’re making changes so friends or family can provide more support and encouragement to make healthy choices. Others prefer not to talk so openly about weight loss surgery, often because they worry about being judged. If you decide to be more selective about who you tell, it’s a good idea to plan for how you’ll deal with social situations. Think about what you might say to feel more at ease. Some examples could include “I’ve had a big meal earlier", “I find I feel much better when I eat less” or “I’m taking a break from drinking.”

How to prepare for social outings

• Focus on what you enjoy — such as the people you’re spending time with, rather than the things you can’t eat or drink.
• Do some research before you go out. Look for places that do tapas, ‘small plates', or have a good range of healthy entrees. You may be able to ring ahead and discuss ordering smaller portions.
• Plan some activities where food and drinks don’t take centre-stage. Have your friends join you for a bushwalk, board games, some live music, or a comedy show. - Talk to others who’ve had weight loss surgery about their experiences and strategies too. Ask your doctor about support groups in your area or look for online groups where you can share ideas.

Your body

As you lose weight, your body will obviously change. Remember that it can take 1-2 years to reach your lowest weight, and it’s not unusual to gain some weight back, but you’ll very likely still weigh much less than before, and your health and wellbeing will still benefit. Talk to your doctor about what you can realistically expect as your body adjusts.

If you are losing weight to improve your fertility or would like to have a baby, it is important that you wait until after the first 12-18 months after surgery before you attempt to fall pregnant.

Extra skin

Losing lots of weight rapidly can lead to a large amount of loose skin. Some people aren’t too bothered by this, but for others, the excess skin can be difficult to deal with both physically and emotionally. Sometimes extra skin can cause chafing and infection, as well as change your appearance and impact your mobility. Strength training to tighten up your muscles can be helpful, and good skin care, compression garments and flattering clothing can help you to look and feel better. If the excess skin is causing a major impact on your life, you may also consider talking to your doctor about body contouring surgery after your weight has become stable.

Your mental health and wellbeing

You might experience changes to the way you see yourself, or changes in your relationships with others. Some of these changes may be positive, and some may not. If you’re struggling, reach out to your loved ones and talk about how you’re feeling or talk to a psychologist or other mental health professional. You can also chat to a mental health professional over the phone or online with 24/7 Medibank Mental Health Support at no extra cost.^*

Eating and exercise

• Don’t skip meals. Eat at regular intervals throughout the day so you don’t get too hungry.
• Eat slowly. Take small bites, chew well, and savour the flavours.
• Try using small dishes such as side plates to make it easier to stick to smaller portion sizes, and smaller cutlery to help you take little bites and eat more slowly.
• Cut out distractions like your phone, the telly, or laptop, and focus on what you’re eating. A dietitian or psychologist can teach you mindful eating techniques and help you to learn to spot triggers for emotional eating (and develop strategies to help you stop doing that).
• Limit ‘liquid kilojoules', including juice, alcohol, soft drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, cordials and other high calorie drinks. These tend to have lots of kilojoules without making you feel full, which can lead to weight regain. Opt for water instead. You can add sliced fruit and a sprig of mint for a tastier version.
• Plan ahead so you have the ingredients you need on hand, and prepare extra meals for your freezer to make it easier to eat well when you’re busy or too exhausted to cook.

Are you getting the nutrients you need?

In the months and years after your weight loss surgery, there’s a risk that you might not be getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals, such as B12, thiamine (vitamin B1) and iron. Your doctor will probably recommend supplements to help keep you well, and it’s important to see your GP or dietitian regularly so they can screen to see if you’re lacking any nutrients before symptoms develop.

Don’t forget to move more too

Gradually increasing your physical activity and reducing the amount of time you’re sitting still can help you keep the weight off and feel better too.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of 'moderate intensity' activity like yoga or swimming, most days of the week. Your heart rate and breathing should increase, but you should still be able to carry on a conversation. See your doctor or physiotherapist for specific advice on how to safely increase your exercise.

Remind yourself of the benefits

Sticking to new habits is easier when you remember WHY you’re doing it. Remind yourself of specific benefits you’ll experience and what they’ll mean to your life. For example, health problems such as diabetes or sleep apnoea might go away or significantly improve, you may need less medicine, you may experience less pain from osteoarthritis, or you may have more energy, to name some of the possible benefits. Don’t be discouraged if you have a down day, or don’t achieve your goals one week. Just start the next day fresh and remember that even small changes to your lifestyle can make a big difference to your wellbeing.