1. Obsess over a number in the scale
A number in the scale does not define you. This isn’t the only valid value to measure your progress, it’s just the most common. Your body weight will fluctuate, especially during the first few months and obsessing over it won’t help you at all.
FOCUS ON HOW YOU FEEL
Hide the scale for at least the three first months after surgery. Focus on how you feel, how your clothes start to loosen up and how your mobility has improved. You’ll get to show off that number a few months after, but for now, focus on you and your new energy!
2. Forget about your appearance
As you progress in your journey, you may neglect your physical appearance and believe it’s not worth the time to get dressed up or do your hair for a special event. However, humans are visual creatures, and we respond to visual cues. If your mind doesn’t see the effort you are putting in, you are less likely to continue doing it.
REWARD YOURSELF FOR YOUR EFFORT
If you take a few minutes of your day and wear a cute blouse or use that aftershave you really like, your mind will catch up and will work extra hard to keep things like this. You can also reward your change of looks with a nice experience, a massage or a mani are great examples! Little prizes really make a difference.
3. Expect immediate results
Some bariatric patients may expect a sudden and drastic weight loss. This is far from the truth. Yes, after your surgery you will experience a considerable weight loss, but to reach the lucky number of 70% of your excess weight will take approximately a year.
SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE
Keep your habits healthy and your changes in your routine constant and you’ll reach your desired weight in a sustainable and safe way. It’s better to go a bit slower but in a controlled and healthy way than to do drastic one-day changes. If you feel unsure on how well you are doing, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help out.
4. Get sidetracked from your goals
The moment you start to see the benefits of your surgery you may want to take up 15 new activities, book that cruise to the Caribbean or sign up for a race. Having your mind in many projects can stop you from reaching your goals and you may end up not doing much.
KEEP YOUR GOALS ACHIEVABLE
Making a plan of short-, mid- and long-term goals is a great way to keep you motivated and accountable. Make your goals achievable, this will help with motivation as well and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t reach one. Just make the necessary adjustments to your plan and carry on.
5. Enter a toxic relationship with food
A bad relationship with food may have brought you to an undesired point, but food is not the enemy. If you cut an entire food group, stop yourself from enjoying a healthy snack or punish yourself for eating; your weight loss won’t be sustainable nor safe.
Create a new bond and accept yourself
Starting your post-surgery life with a hate of food will only perpetuate a toxic relationship. Try mindful eating routines and take it a day at a time. Be patient with yourself and find a new pleasure in everything related to food: meal planning, grocery shopping, exploring a new recipe and enjoying a new ingredient.
If you need help, please contact us!
Dr. Alejandro Lopez, the owner and lead bariatric surgeon at ALO Bariatrics, is a Fellow at the American College of Surgeons and is accredited with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He is also a certified bariatric surgeon by the Mexican College of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases. He is one of two surgeons in Tijuana and one out of five to ten in all of Mexico who is able to provide robotic surgery.