Is Orbera Safe for Me?
Are you interested in the Orbera® balloon weight loss system, but wonder if it’s safe? In this blog, we explain how Orbera works and highlight the many reasons why it’s both safe and effective.
Lifestyle Adjustments That You Should Make After Weight Loss Surgery
Are you considering weight loss surgery? Although bariatric surgery is designed to help you lose weight, it’s not a quick fix. It requires dedication and commitment to certain lifestyle adjustments.
For instance, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) recommends that you take vitamins and mineral supplements daily after you have weight loss surgery.
Below, Eric Ibegbu, MD, of Atlantic Medical Group discusses some of the other lifestyle adjustments you can expect to make after weight loss surgery.
Lifestyle changes
Depending on the specific type of surgery you have, you must follow specific post-op instructions that instruct you how much to eat and drink, when to eat and drink, and what specific supplements you need.
Supplements, such as calcium and multivitamins, ensure that your body receives the nutrients it needs even on a low-calorie diet. Typical post-op plans have different instructions for immediately after surgery, the first few weeks after surgery, and then for the long term.
After weight loss surgery, you follow a liquid diet for a specified length of time. For some people, this means temporarily changing to liquid medications, too. Once you start eating solid food again, you must monitor portion sizes.
As you transition from a liquid-only diet, you eventually add in more solid food, but closely monitor meal sizes (e.g., 8 ounces or smaller) for the long term. This may change how you eat at restaurants or parties, so mentally prepare for some social adjustments.
The ASMBS also recommends the following long-term lifestyle adjustments:
- Avoiding alcohol consumption due to accelerated alcohol absorption
- Eating 60-100 grams of protein each day
- Drinking at least 64 ounces of water
- Waiting at least 12-18 months before trying to conceive
- Avoiding foods high in sugar and starch
- Exercising regularly (once cleared for exercise)
- Eating slowly
- Following recommended meal sizes
At first glance, this can seem like a lot of information, but all of these changes work together to help you build healthy habits, lose weight, and achieve all of your health goals.
Is weight loss surgery right for you?
Weight loss surgery can be a life-saving surgery for many people, but it isn’t right for everyone. If you’re not a candidate for a laparoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (or simply don’t want it), you’re not out of options.
We offer non-surgical weight loss options that can also help you achieve your weight loss goals without the same requirements as surgical options:
- Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that relies on sutures to decrease your stomach size (no incisions needed)
- Spatz3 Adjustable Balloon System, an adjustable and non-surgical balloon system
- Oblaon®, an FDA-approved swallow balloon system
- ORBERA®, a silicone balloon that remains in place for about six months
Deciding between weight loss surgery and a non-surgical option isn’t easy, but you never have to make this decision alone. During your consultation, Dr. Ibegbu reviews your overall health as well as your weight loss goals to recommend the right procedure for you.
Rest assured that we support you through every step of this journey, whether you’re local to Kinston or Jacksonville, North Carolina, or you’re visiting from out-of-state.
To learn more about weight loss surgery, call our office today or use our online tool to request an appointment.
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