Life after surgery is full of exciting changes! Diet is certainly affected by your surgery. For all procedures, eating capacity is decreased. You will become satisfied more quickly with less! This is a welcome freedom acknowledged by nearly all of our patients. You will learn to eat smaller volumes of nutrient-dense foods more slowly. Depending on which procedure you choose, appetite and cravings are altered. In this regard, the gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy alter the way gut hormones affect your brain and greatly diminish appetite and reduce cravings for highly processed foods and sweets.

As you begin to lose weight we will see changes in your body chemistry. For diabetics, blood sugar as well as cholesterol and triglyceride levels tend to come down and stabilize. Liver function improves as fat leaves the system and there tends to be a rapid improvement in respiratory function seen in those with sleep apnea and asthma. As the body begins to rebalance, people begin to feel a very significant improvement in their energy level. This is typically experienced at 6-8 weeks following your operation.

Once you are fully on the road to recovery, your new-found energy will compel you to become more active than you have been for some time. When you take advantage of these feelings and begin being more physical, the weight loss process is accelerated. Most of our patients experience their greatest weight change between three and twelve months following lap band surgery. The rate of weight loss is influenced by your individual metabolism, activity patterns, and compliance with a bariatric diet.

Rapid weight loss and improved energy will start changing the way that you see the world and the world sees you. Although this is largely positive it may be somewhat disconcerting. You have been waiting for this change to happen for a long time but it often times happens more quickly than anticipated. Be aware that your experience may rattle a few cages. People are used to you being who you are and may not know how to react to this new ball of energy. You and those around you will need to adjust. It is very useful to participate in our support groups during this transition so that others that have experienced this phenomena can mentor you as you will eventually do for others.

At the end of the day you need to understand that this chapter of your life, like all others, is part of your unique journey. The rewards are always the greatest for those who are the most committed. Learn all you can. Love yourself, love others, and enjoy the ride!

Learn more about life after lap band surgery. Attend a weight loss surgery seminar at our Iowa location today.