We understand that bariatric surgery is a positive, life-changing decision for anyone struggling with severe obesity. In the last 20 years, Dr Shashank Shah and his team have successfully done over 6000+ bariatric surgeries. The one thing almost every patient wants to know with absolute clarity is what their life will look like after bariatric surgery. In this post, we’ll explore the various aspects of life post-surgery, from physical changes to emotional adjustments and lifestyle modifications.

Let’s first start with the Initial Recovery Period

The first few weeks after surgery are crucial for your recovery.

Here’s what you can expect:

Depending on the type of surgery and your health status, you’ll typically spend 1-3 days in the hospital.

Kavita was discharged within 24 hours and happily travelled back to her hometown.

You’ll start with a liquid diet, gradually progressing to pureed foods, soft foods, and eventually solid foods over several weeks.

You’ll be encouraged to walk frequently but avoid strenuous activities for 3-6 weeks.

You may need regular check-ups with your surgical team in the initial week to monitor your recovery.

So this is the initial recovery period.

Now let’s talk about Physical Changes

As you recover and adapt to your new digestive system, you’ll experience several physical changes:

Most patients lose weight quickly in the first 3-6 months, with weight loss continuing at a slower rate for 12-18 months.

Subhash lost 21 kg in 3 months and became diabetes free.

Dipali lost 21 kg’s in one and a half months.

As you lose weight, you’ll likely feel more energetic and mobile.

Many patients see improvements in conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.

Rapid weight loss may lead to loose, sagging skin. Some patients choose to have body contouring surgery later.

What are the dietary changes you will experience?

Your relationship with food will change significantly after bariatric surgery:

Your new stomach pouch will only hold small amounts of food, typically 1/4 to 1 cup.

You’ll likely eat 4-6 small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals.

Getting enough nutrition will be important.

You may need to avoid foods that are hard to digest or that cause discomfort, such as very fibrous vegetables or sugary foods.

You’ll need to eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and pay attention to your body’s fullness cues.

Lifestyle Modifications

Bariatric surgery requires long-term lifestyle changes for success:

As you recover, you’ll need to incorporate regular physical activity into your routine, starting with walking and progressing to more intense exercises.

Drinking enough water becomes crucial, but you’ll need to avoid drinking with meals to prevent overfilling your stomach pouch.

Many patients find they become more sensitive to alcohol after surgery.

You’ll need to be a little more aware of your health and nutritional status.

Emotional and Social Changes

The physical changes after bariatric surgery often come with emotional and social adjustments:

Many patients report increased confidence and improved body image as they lose weight.

Your weight loss may positively affect your relationships, sometimes in unexpected ways.

As you become more active and confident, you may find yourself in new social situations that can be both exciting and challenging.

Adapting to your new body and lifestyle can lead to a shift in how you see yourself and how others perceive you.

Long-Term Success

Long-term success after bariatric surgery depends on your commitment to lifestyle changes. Here are some keys to success:

Try to have more nutritional food

Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining weight loss and overall health.

Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as meditation, yoga, or counseling.

Conclusion

Life after bariatric surgery is a journey of significant physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes.

While you have to be more aware of how you conduct your life, many patients report substantial improvements in their health, mobility, and overall quality of life. The key to success lies in preparing for these changes, following medical advice, and committing to your new lifestyle long-term.

Remember, bariatric surgery is not just about losing weight—it’s about gaining a healthier, more active life. With the right mindset, support, and dedication, you can navigate the changes and challenges to achieve lasting success in your weight loss journey. If you’re considering bariatric surgery or are in the post-surgery phase, don’t hesitate to reach out to your medical team or support group with questions or concerns.

Your success is our priority, and we are there to support you every step of the way.

Understanding BMI, Healthy Weights, and Why Severe Obesity Makes Dieting Alone Difficult

You may have heard that bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, can be a great option for people struggling with severe obesity. But when exactly is it recommended?

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

When is Bariatric Surgery Recommended?

Typically, bariatric surgery is considered when your body mass index (BMI) reaches 40 or higher. BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height. An adult with a BMI over 40 is classified as severely obese. Surgery may also be an option if your BMI is 35 or higher and you have serious weight-related health issues like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea.

To give you an idea, for a 5’4″ (163 cm) woman, a healthy weight range is between 108 lbs to 145 lbs (49 kg to 66 kg) according to CDC guidelines. Anything above 195 lbs (88 kg) is considered obese for that height.

Why Diet and Exercise Alone May Not Work

Now, you might be thinking – can’t people with high BMIs just diet and exercise? While that works for some, those with severe obesity often face roadblocks that make it extremely difficult to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. Here’s why:

Metabolic Adaptations: As people lose weight, their bodies adapt by slowing down their metabolism and increasing hunger hormones. This makes it increasingly difficult to continue losing weight and maintain the loss.

Hormonal Imbalances: Obesity can cause hormonal imbalances, such as increased insulin resistance and leptin resistance, which can make weight loss through diet and exercise alone more challenging.

Behavioral and Psychological Factors: Deep-rooted behavioral and psychological factors, such as emotional eating, binge eating disorders, or other mental health conditions, can make it difficult to sustain long-term lifestyle changes necessary for weight loss.

Comorbidities: Obesity-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and joint problems can make it physically challenging to engage in regular exercise and maintain a calorie-restricted diet.

No matter which diets you try—low-calorie, low-carbohydrate (e.g., Atkins, Keto), intermittent fasting, low-fat, or Paleo—if your body and mind don’t support it, it becomes hard and there could be serious repercussions.

Plus, with such excessive weight, you can’t just accept it and live with it. It’s an urgent and serious matter that needs to be taken care of immediately.

The Health Risks of Severe Obesity

When someone is severely obese with a BMI over 40, it means they have an excessive amount of body fat. This excess fat doesn’t just sit inertly but functions like an active organ releasing harmful substances.

Inflammation: Excess fat cells produce inflammatory molecules called cytokines, causing widespread inflammation that can damage tissues and organs over time.

Insulin Resistance: Fat cells release excess fatty acids into the bloodstream, leading to insulin resistance and increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Joint Stress: The extra weight puts mechanical stress on joints, leading to arthritis and joint problems.

Cardiovascular Strain: Severe obesity strains the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Respiratory Issues: Excess abdominal fat squeezes organs like the lungs, making it harder to breathe and worsening sleep apnea and other respiratory issues.

In simple terms, the extreme amount of excess body fat acts like a toxic, inflammatory substance that damages organs and disrupts the body’s normal processes, leading to various serious health problems.

Why Bariatric Surgery Can Be a Lifesaver

When diets fail and health is severely impacted, bariatric surgery provides a way to finally lose excess weight and get healthier. But it requires careful evaluation to ensure it’s the right option for you.

If you’re struggling with severe obesity, schedule an appointment with us to understand whether bariatric surgery is the right solution for you.

Meet Dr. Shashank Shah

Dr. Shashank Shah is considered one of India’s best bariatric surgeons, with over 10,000 bariatric procedures performed from 2004 to 2024.

His extensive experience and compassionate approach have helped many individuals achieve significant weight loss and improve their overall health.

Severe obesity is a serious health concern that can lead to numerous complications. When traditional weight loss methods fail, bariatric surgery can offer a viable solution. With the expertise of Dr. Shashank Shah, you can explore the best options for achieving a healthier, more active life.

To learn more and schedule an appointment, click here. Don’t let severe obesity control your life—take the first step towards better health today.

Gastric bypass with no side effects, is it possible? Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure that creates a stomach pouch, separating a small portion of the stomach from the rest of the organ. This pouch is connected to a part of the small intestine, allowing food to enter the newly created stomach through the food pipe and rapidly into the intestine. The bypassed part of the stomach and intestine is essential for absorption of fats and nutrients, such as vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, and folic acid.

This quick food movement stimulates L cells in the last part of the small intestine to secrete hormones like GLP1, which improve metabolism and suppress appetite, and enhance anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. This metabolic process is based on hormonal activity and may evolve with further modifications.

New bypass procedures, inspired by Sergio Santoro’s bipartite transport concept*, allow food to pass through the stomach and intestines without division. This allows nutrients to be absorbed as part of the food passes through the natural pathway. A smaller portion of food passes through the newly-made connection, stimulating the secretion of hormones GLP1 and PYY, which promote metabolism and enhance anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. This true metabolic process is based on hormonal activity and not dependent on preventing food from being absorbed. Sergio Santoro’s work had inspired the development of many new procedures**.

LOC Healthcare LLP has been offering these procedures for four years with excellent results, demonstrating that these bypass procedures have no nutritional side effects.