Weight loss surgery can be of great benefit when it comes to improving your health and maximizing your weight loss potential. The reason weight loss surgery is so beneficial comes down to the way that the bariatric procedure effects the stomach. By restricting stomach capacity, weight loss surgery encourages weight loss by reducing hunger and in some cases, reducing hormones that stimulate appetite. For many, cutting down on hunger is half the battle. For others, it is only the start.

Whether you are hungry or not, you are only going to lose weight if you are consistently making healthy food choices. This means opting to not eat when you aren’t hungry, and opting to eat foods that are beneficial for you when you are hungry.

Making Healthy Choices after Bariatric Surgery

After having weight loss surgery you’ll have to pay extra close attention to your food choices. Since your stomach capacity will be reduced, you only have a limited amount of caloric intake for the day—which means there are fewer opportunities to get all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to thrive. Throw in the healthy exercise habits that you are encouraged to participate in and you’ll realize that you have a pretty strict diet that you need to maintain.

To understand exactly what you should and shouldn’t be eating, you should talk with your weight loss nutrition specialist. However, even outside of what foods you should be choosing, there are certain eating habits that will help you maintain a healthier diet after weight loss surgery.

These healthy eating strategies include:

• Measuring everything and sticking to small portions. If you are still hungry, you can always eat more at a later time. Be careful not to overeat or you could stretch out your stomach and experience discomfort.
• Keeping track of what you are eating by maintaining a food journal. Update the journal when you are eating to make sure it is accurate.
• Drinking plenty of water, but always in small sips. Keep a water bottle close by and make a habit of drinking water little-by-little throughout the day. Staying hydrated does a lot for alleviating hunger.
• Making sure that your food choices are nutrient dense, which means they will have a high ratio of vitamins and nutrients to calories. Especially be on the lookout for low-calorie, high-protein foods.

Having weight loss surgery is a great step to take if you are hoping to make long-lasting changes that will lead to a healthier way of living. Even after you get weight loss surgery you’ll still be confronted with different food-related choices, and it will be up to you to make the healthiest choice possible. Talk to your weight loss surgeon about dietary strategies and healthy eating habits that you can use to maintain your weight loss long-term.