5 Ways to Mentally Overcome Weight Gain After Bariatric Surgery

Because of the nature of gastric bypass surgery, there is a high probability of weight gain immediately after the procedure, although it is not guaranteed. The key to getting to your ultimate weight loss goals is a healthy diet, regular supplements and consistent exercise. But sometimes you may get discouraged along the way, or even gain back a few pounds. And this can really throw your progress off!

Here are a few things that you can do in order to prepare your mental state for some of the weight gain after you undergo surgery:

1. Make sure that you understand the medical reasons that you regain some of the weight.

Fast weight gain is the way that the body naturally deals with the shock of losing so much weight at one time. Because surgery is unnatural, the body will attempt to compensate in the only way that it knows how. You will begin to retain a great deal of fat and produce weight gaining hormones as your body responds to the shock.

2. Realize that the weight loss that you will finally achieve will include this weight gain.

If you readjust your mind to think in terms of average overall weight loss rather than weight loss immediately after the surgery, you will be much more mentally prepared to deal with the weight gain.

3. Stay away from foods that are known to increase the fat producing and fat retaining hormones that will naturally be occurring in your body.

It may be hard to immediately change your diet just because you have had a surgery. However, this is one of the ways in which you can help yourself to mentally overcome the shock. Stay away from comfort foods. Simply do not purchase them when you go to the grocery store.

4. Be clear of alcohol and drugs after your surgery.

Not only do alcohol and drugs further stress the body after the surgery, but they both have fat retaining hormones that will increase your weight gain as well.

5. Be sure that you have a support system of family and friends around you.

There is no reason that you have to take on this journey alone. Be sure that your friends and family are around you to help keep you on the straight and narrow. Let them know that most of the battle will be psychological so that they can help you when your mental state diverges.