The biggest change in your life is about to happen. It is not where you live or where you work but how you live. When you opt for bariatric surgery you will be making a conscious decision to change how you live. And for those that have suffered with obesity all their lives it is one that although is hard will be a welcomed change. Just imagine being able to walk in the park with your friends or family or even to be able to go up and down the stairs at home. Such little pleasures in life will all be at your disposal again. However, in order to make it all work you must be willing to change your lifestyle.
The type of change that is needed is how you look at food. Not only will weight loss surgery cause your stomach to shrink in size dramatically but it will require you to learn how to eat extremely less then what you have done all your life. Also, because many of these surgery's also include gastric bypass you will also have to alter the types of food you eat. Let's take a look at what your new eating habits will look like from day one after surgery.
First of all, it is important to note that because your stomach will be sensitive after surgery you will only be able to eat a liquid diet for the first few days to a few weeks. These liquid foods will include broths, jello, and water. However, the next step when your stomach is ready will be more thick liquids like shakes, instant breakfast drinks, and perhaps even pureed foods. Just bare in mind that all of these foods need to be enriched with nutrients so that your body gets what it needs.
The reason for this for some patients of bariatric surgery is because not only have they had their stomach made smaller but their digestive tracts altered as well. And while this alteration will help decrease the amount of calories absorbed it also decreases how much nutrient are absorbed as well. So make sure the foods you eat are not only low fat but also nutrient rich. This is why so many people opt for special nutrient rich shakes as they have all that is needed and can be easily eaten. But another reason why such foods like these shakes are preferred at first is because your stomach will be very sensitive for quite some time.
What this means is that not only will you find that foods you once loved will no longer seem appetizing but some foods in general will not digest as well at first or sit easy in your sensitive stomach. For instance, some people find that after weight loss surgery that they are unable to eat raw vegetables. While this may not be hard for those that do not like them it can be difficult for those that love their veggies. All in all make sure you discuss all of these situations with your doctor so that you are fully prepared after surgery.
Visualizing can be very compelling for some people. The clearer you picture your goal and how good you will feel when you reach it, the easier it becomes to make the necessary changes to get there.
Affirmations can also help you reach a goal. Come up with a statement as if you've already achieved what you wish. "I AM happy," rather than, "I want to be happy," and then repeat it throughout the day, every day until you are on your way.
Having structure with others can also help you to change. If, for example, you want to get in shape, you can join a class at a community college for weight training, aerobic work outs, or sport. In a class you are given an outline of expectation, a schedule for working out, a finite course over a number of weeks and most likely you will have to keep a record of your workouts and your performance will be reviewed, which means you must be accountable to someone. It will be easier to stick with because you won't be doing it alone. Working out in your own home has the convenience of location and time, but there is no accountability except to yourself and you have no company while doing it. If you've been having difficulty establishing a new habit, find a group or a class where you can join others who are trying to achieve similar goals.
There are other things too, that can make it easier or harder to change. One is our image of our self and our abilities. Do we believe we will succeed, or do we expect we will quit? Can we picture ourselves (again the visualization) where we want to be, or are we uncomfortable with the idea of being there? For instance, would you be comfortable being wealthy, or would you feel guilty for having wealth when so many are poor? You will have to work out any issues you have before you will be able to comfortably keep a new habit or lifestyle.
Sometimes a little change goes far to support making a big change. For instance, some men will grow a beard or shave one off and some women will change their hairstyle or hair color when they are mentally trying to create a larger change in their lives. They might shave a beard when they begin dating, or color their hair when they are trying to lose weight. A little visible change acts as a reminder that you are indeed changing and not quite the same person you used to be. Redecorating a room in your house or your office is another small change that can serve as a reminder for other changes in habit or new attitudes.
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