What To Know About The Weight Loss Plateau After Surgery

Many people are often surprised when they hit a weight loss plateau following weight loss surgery or even gain some of the weight back. This can be very discouraging for some, but it is important to know that this is a normal part of the weight loss journey. There are some ways to overcome the weight loss plateau and to minimize weight gain after surgery.

Weight loss surgery is not an easy quick fix to lose weight. It is major decision to make and will require a lifetime of dedication to keep the weight off.

At First…..

The first six months after surgery are very encouraging. Food and calorie intake are reduced, and excess weight just seems to melt off rapidly. This results in increased energy and positive thinking. At this time motivation is high.

But Then…..

It is important to know that there will come a point when your weight loss starts to plateau. By knowing this prior to having weight loss surgery, you will know what to expect and can maintain your motivation and not become discouraged.

Maintain Your Healthy Diet

It is easy to fall back into the unhealthy diets that we had prior to surgery. Snacking, drinking high-calorie beverages, and choosing high sugar or high fat foods can be detrimental to a weight loss plan. It is important to maintain the same healthy diet that you began after surgery and not to become discouraged by the weight loss plateau. Of course, it is important to reward yourself occasionally, but moderation is key to keeping the weight off. Portion size is also important to maintain long-term following surgery.

Stay Active

When the weight loss starts to plateau, exercise is often the first thing to give up on. It can be difficult to put in all that hard work and dedication for an exercise routine only to see that the results are becoming less dramatic than they were right after surgery.

Maintaining your exercise routine will help you release endorphins and stay positive. Pushing through this plateau will be worth it for both your mental health and for the continuation of achieving your weight loss goals.

Some people may be confused about what type of exercise is best following weight loss surgery. Cardio exercise is important for heart health and for helping to shed excess weight, but it is also important to note that strength training will go a long way in helping you keep weight off in long run.  Adding muscle to your body raises your metabolic rate, which is the number of calories your body burns while at rest.

Ask For Help

If you are experiencing lack of motivation when you hit the plateau, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Ask friends and family to help keep you motivated. Find a work-out buddy and keep each other accountable. There are also professionals that can help if you find yourself indulging in former unhealthy habits such as binge eating or drinking or even if you find yourself having negative thoughts. There are many online recourses to find Behavioral health therapists or Mental health therapists in your area.  

If you are struggling with weight loss after bariatric surgery, don’t worry – you are not alone. Many people hit a plateau after their surgery, but there are ways to overcome it. By following the advice in this blog post, you can start seeing results again and reach your goal weight. To learn more about bariatric surgery and the different options available to you, visit our website www.DrWadiwala.com today. We would be happy to help you get started on your weight loss journey.