New behaviors take time to learn. The first few months after your operation represent a sensitive time both psychologically and physiologically. Depending on your operation, it is very important to allow any connections between the stomach and the intestine to heal. The first few months post-op are also complicated by problems with judging adequate hydration. You must be cognizant and careful that obesity and over-eating may be signs of an addiction behavior.

Phase II can be summarized as soft foods which can be easily mashed, eaten with a spoon and can be tolerated easily. This stage continues to allow your system to heal and slowly adjust to more dense foods. Attempting portions that are too large or advancing too rapidly into foods that are very dense or hard can cause food getting “stuck”, vomiting, and pouch irritation. Remember as your diet advances the liquids should remain separated from the solids. If you drink while eating you will push food through the pouch and speed up the emptying of the pouch. This will just make room for more food.

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Surgery is stressful not only psychologically but also physiologically. There are a number of normal, well-defined stress responses that occur after surgery. These stress responses cause alterations in your metabolic and physiological processes and induce changes in your inflammatory and hormonal responses.

Bariatric surgery does not change your life in terms of job, family and other psychosocial aspects. If some areas of your life are causing you to eat you might want to take a step back and evaluate the situation. You must try very hard not to use food as an outlet. Set consistent meal times and follow that routine. People tend to bury their feelings in food. Food is often used as a comfort source for many emotions. It’s like our best friend. Bariatric surgery provides a tool to control your portion sizes and combined with our program, can teach you to choose your foods wisely.

Recovery after bariatric surgery takes time and patience. The diet is strict. You may experience discomfort and pain as your body heals. The length of time to return to normal activities can vary from patient to patient. Some patients are able to return to work within a few weeks and see weight loss soon after surgery. For others, a couple of months go by before they experience noticeable weight loss. From lifestyle changes to health transformations that change lives, life after surgery is full of both successes and challenges.