What you do after bariatric surgery may be just as important as the surgery itself.
We have written about this before, but a new survey underscores the importance of proper follow-care after a bariatric weight-loss procedure.
The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive, a research company, on behalf of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The group surveyed 208 patients who underwent gastric bypass and 201 who had some kind of gastric banding surgery.
The results should noted by anyone who is planning to have a bariatric procedure. The patients who followed the doctors guidelines after bariatric surgery lost 35 percent more weight during the first year following their procedure. They also tended to keep the weight off after a period of several years.
What does this mean? Well, according to this one particular survey, you will likely loose more weight after your bariatric procedure if you closely follow your surgeon’s advice. This includes follow-visits, your diet after surgery, proper exercise, etc.
Regular exercise and improved eating habits are two of the most important changes bariatric patients have to make after their weight-loss surgery procedures. These are also two of the areas surgeons say their patients struggle with. A lack of exercise and bad eating habits are typically what lead to the weight problems in the first place, so it can be difficult for some patients to change these habits — but it’s critical that they do.
One of the recommendations mentioned in the press release associated with this survey is to standardize the type of care given to patients after bariatric surgery. According to Alan Wittgrove, a former president of the aforementioned ASMBS: “[Patient] follow-up care tends to vary from bariatric program to bariatric program … there is a need to standardize follow-up care so patients achieve the best outcomes.” Sound like a good idea to me.
Related article: Life After Weight Loss Surgery