How to stop losing weight after reaching goal weight
Being obese can be a lifelong medical condition. There is no surgery, diet or medication that can by itself offer the patient a permanent cure to obesity. Weight Loss Surgery is not a cure for obesity, but rather an excellent tool for people to use so that they may begin an efficient weight loss journey so that they may be able to live a longer, healthier, happier and more fulfilling life.
Bariatric patients must be aware that Weight Loss Surgery does not work independently of their effort and commitment. The surgeries key to success is good aftercare, healthy eating and moderate lifestyle changes that should provide wonderful long-term results and will improve their overall health.
Most patients are able to lose weight initially right after the bariatric surgery due to the mechanics of the procedure, even if they don’t follow fully all the changes they should make postop. However, for long term success, the patient is required to follow the lifestyle changes recommended by their bariatric surgeon, including strict alterations to their diet and daily routines.
Obviously, the patient’s body should adjust to the new size of portions that the patient is eating after surgery. As the time goes by after surgery, active weight loss will slow down. Patients typically have a year and a half to lose the weight they need to lose after weight loss surgery. At Weight Loss Team the bariatric surgery center at the CMQ Family of Hospitals in Puerto Vallarta, where Dr. Juan F. Hidalgo is the bariatric surgeon, it is stressed to all of the patients that they need to follow the post op diet program strictly, for best overall results. As the body begins a maintenance phase after the weight loss phase, the patient must keep on with a healthy diet, physical activity and lifestyle changes; otherwise, their weight loss goal success probably will not last.
On the other hand, there are a few patients who continue losing weight after they have reached their weight loss goals. In this case it is important that they increase their caloric and carb intake until they get a balance where weight loss halts. The best way to do this is filling their plate with rich protein sources (75%) such as meats, eggs, beans and lentils while the rest of their meal should be based on healthy carbs derived from vegetables, fruits and whole grains. This will help increase the patients’ lean muscle, especially if they are going to the gym to work on toning or muscle growth. This will help them stall out the weight loss their body is experiencing. If the patient continues losing weight, after making these adjustments, then they may want to add a muscle building carb heavy protein drink that will help then stop the weight loss, “what we don’t want is a patient to start eating junk food and fast food to gain weight”, says Dr. Juan F. Hidalgo in Puerto Vallarta.
Loosing too much weight is not healthy at all, and rarely is a factor after weight loss surgery, but it can happen. The weight-loss curve is very intense in the first 12 or 18 months after Bariatric Surgery This is because of the shape and size of the new stomach, the restriction of food and the entire process the patient goes through.
It is a fact that the 95% of Weight loss surgery patients regain about 10% of the weight they lose based on their maximum weight loss. As such it is important to watch what happens and what you eat after you have hit your goal weight. Incorporating lifestyle changes are needed to increase the chance of successful long-term ideal weight loss.
Weight loss patients should realize that it is difficult to maintain their weight loss goal after surgery without changing their habits. But for patients who are losing too much weight it is important to eat healthy, increase the healthy carb load and work out to build muscle. This physical activity and diet based on muscle building should help the patient shut down the weight loss that is making them look too thin. It will also help them create a lean and muscular body which is an added benefit. Obviously, the patient’s weight must be in proportion to their height and age. If a patient continues losing weight, it is important that they keep changing their diet and workout routine to improve their calorie balance and to fix their activity level as per their fitness level taking the proper guidance from their bariatric team and the physical trainer at their gym.
These are some recommendations on how to stop losing weight and maintain the patient’s ideal weight. These will depend on each patient, so it is important to take proper guidance before adding anything new to your diet or workout routine.
- If the patient does a lot of cardio, they might reduce it and start lifting weight to gain muscle after reaching their goal weight.
- Too much exercise can make the patient continue losing weight. They must adjust your workout and achieve a balance
- Eat protein bars, nuts, dry fruit, trail mix, grains and healthy carbs
- Drink more liquids with the added calories you need (a muscle building protein shake a day)
- Increase from 800 calories to 1200 calorie-diet maintain your ideal weight
- All your calories should be from solid food except for your protein drink
- Keep changing your diet and workout as per your requirements and bodies needs
- Eat up to 5 or 6 meals a day
It is important to know that the extra protein and liquids should be done while during the first 18 to 25 months after surgery. After that time frame it is important that the patient should stop increasing calories to prevent weight gain. Patients must consider developing a healthier relationship with food and curb emotional triggers to overeating so that they may reach and achieve a healthy weight.
Losing weight after Weight Loss Surgery is only half of the battle for many people, the bigger challenge is to maintain the ideal weight and this takes effort and commitment from the patient. Weight goals are achieved by a combination of changing in diet, exercise, eating habits and an emotional life in balance. Some people have to deal with maintaining their healthy weight and others may need to stop losing weight, as such a healthy diet is key to your utmost success after weight loss surgery.
For more information regarding Clinics/ Hospitals and Weight Loss Options mentioned in this article:
Weight Loss Team – Bariatric Surgery Center in Puerto Vallarta Mexico featuring, Dr. Juan F. Hidalgo bariatric surgeon
Website: www.weightlossteam.com/
Email: info@weightlossteam.com
Telephone: Toll free 1(800) 404-9064 or + 1(818) 949-6911