| Millions of people in the United States of all ages, | | | | protein. One way to get the protein that you |
| ethnic backgrounds and socio-economic groups | | | | need is by using protein supplements, which can |
| are overweight, and the number of Americans | | | | be used as low-calorie meal replacements, and |
| who are overweight keeps growing daily. Obesity | | | | they are pretty great-tasting too. |
| is a disease that can affect anyone, and is actually | | | | Understanding Good Nutrition is the Key to |
| treated as an illness in itself and also as a | | | | Success Following Bariatric Surgery |
| co-morbidity factor for many other illnesses. | | | | It is important for everyone to understand the |
| Because it is so unhealthy to be obese, those | | | | benefits of good nutrition, no matter what their |
| who are so often find that they have difficulty | | | | weight, but it is particularly important for those |
| obtaining life insurance at a fair rate or upgrading | | | | who are considering undergoing bariatric surgery. |
| the policies that they currently have. | | | | Your physician may recommend beginning your |
| For many years, bariatric surgery was considered | | | | diet before the surgery, especially if you are |
| to be cosmetic and was usually only done for | | | | extremely overweight. This is an excellent way to |
| those who wanted to look better. For this reason, | | | | get yourself used to the strict diet that you'll |
| it was not a procedure that many health | | | | have to adhere to following your surgery. |
| insurance companies were willing to cover. But | | | | Following bariatric surgery, it is essential that you |
| because bariatric surgery is considered to be a | | | | understand everything that you are putting in |
| necessary procedure in many cases these days, | | | | your mouth. It is also essential that you realize |
| insurance companies have changed their policies | | | | that there is a particular order in which you are to |
| regarding benefits for patients undergoing this | | | | eat your foods. For instance, it is extremely |
| type of surgery. Some insurance companies may | | | | important that you do not have any liquids with |
| have some limits, but in the majority of cases, | | | | your meals. Any liquids should be drunk one half |
| patients receiving bariatric surgery will receive | | | | hour prior to or after eating. This includes liquid |
| coverage for the surgery itself, in addition to | | | | protein supplements. Your meals will need to be |
| benefits that will cover some of the after-care. | | | | small (usually no more than three ounces of food |
| Three Stages of Bariatric Surgery | | | | per serving), so you will require a number of |
| When it comes to having any type of surgery, it | | | | these small meals throughout the day to keep up |
| is important to remember that there are certain | | | | your energy level and to get the nutrients that |
| risks involved. This is especially true of bariatric | | | | you need to properly recover and lose the |
| surgery. There are different types of bariatric | | | | weight. |
| surgery, some temporary and some adjustable, | | | | Not only do you need to learn how to eat, you |
| and there are three stages in the bariatric surgery | | | | will also need to know what to eat. For example, |
| process: preparatory, surgery and recovery. | | | | you can't just go out and splurge on a burger and |
| Preparatory Stage - The first stage is the | | | | fries following bariatric surgery, or any other food |
| preparatory stage, when patients begin to make | | | | that is high-carb, high-calorie and high-fat for that |
| lifestyle changes, including diet. It is also important | | | | matter. If you eat too much following bariatric |
| that patients learn as much as they can about | | | | surgery, you may run the risk of popping staples |
| bariatric surgery, so that they will know the | | | | and even rupturing your stomach, both serious |
| proper nutrition for pre- and post-surgery. If you | | | | emergencies that can lead to infection, and in |
| are extremely overweight, it may also be | | | | some cases, even death. Using protein |
| necessary for you to begin your diet and lose | | | | supplements will help, because they will allow you |
| some weight before the surgery. | | | | to eat smaller meals or can even be your meals |
| It is also important that patients check out the | | | | themselves, and they have many of the vitamins |
| credentials of the physician who will be performing | | | | and other nutrients that you will need following |
| the surgery. You should also start looking for a | | | | your bariatric surgery. |
| support system, or people who can help you get | | | | Don't Forget About Exercise |
| through the entire process. Often, it helps to | | | | It is essential that you get enough exercise |
| speak with people who have already undergone | | | | following bariatric surgery and before surgery as |
| bariatric surgery and can give you information | | | | well. When we lose weight, especially if the weight |
| based on their experience. | | | | is lost quickly, the skin doesn't have enough time |
| The Surgery - Stage two is the bariatric surgery | | | | to adjust, and because it has been stretched by |
| itself. There are different types of bariatric | | | | fat for so many years, it will sag. Exercise can |
| surgery, and your physician will know which one | | | | help to combat this, but you need to make sure |
| will best suit your needs, such as temporary or | | | | that you are doing exercises that will work for |
| permanent and surgeries that are adjustable. | | | | you. You may want to discuss this with your |
| Recovery - There are many things that your | | | | physician, because if you are going to be losing a |
| physician will tell you that you need to do | | | | lot of weight quickly, it may be necessary to |
| post-surgery. You will have to begin an exercise | | | | have a second surgery to remove the excess |
| plan (never do this without the help of your | | | | skin. Of course, this is not like the bariatric |
| physician, especially if you are unused to doing a | | | | surgery, which is considered by insurance |
| lot of activity). Your physician is also going to | | | | companies to be necessary, and often, it is not |
| recommend a specific diet for you, one that is | | | | covered by most policies unless of course it is |
| low in fat, calories and carbohydrates and high in | | | | causing health issues. |