After significant weight loss, whether it is achieved through bariatric surgery or traditional methods, there are several ways to get your body back on the road to looking and feeling great. Losing weight in fact, is just the beginning of a commitment to healthy living. Afterward, there are several steps that each patient should take (or at least consider) to improve personal well-being and appearance.
Nutrition
Nutrient deficiency is a concern after bariatric surgery. According to Dr. Ingrid Kohlstadt, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Protein, omega-3s, and omega 6 fatty acids all have the potential for deficiency. If you choose to undergo a procedure like lap band or gastric bypass, you should definitely ask your doctor about how to maintain proper nutrition – immediately after surgery and in the years that follow.
Exercise
When members of the American College of Sports Medicine gathered for their “14th annual Health and Fitness Summit,” they discussed the best exercise programs for bariatric surgery patients.
They recommend aerobic exercise as the core focus for bariatric surgery patients because it allows one to ease into physical activity. To quicken fat loss and improve your range-of-motion, resistance training and flexibility exercise should be gradually and cautiously integrated into your routine.
Body Contouring
After massive weight loss, skin does not contract to a normal level. Aside from any appearance concerns, folds of loose skin can cause discomfort, preventing you from enjoying the results of your weight loss.
To remove folds of loose skin, a comprehensive surgical approach is often needed. A complete lower body lift treats sagging skin on the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips and outer thighs in one procedure or in staged procedures. Incision patterns vary, and may include a circumferential incision around the body to remove the “belt” of excess skin and fat. Other procedures such as the arm lift or thigh lift are also common for improving body shape after massive weight loss.
