Ultimate Guide to Staying Healthy After Bariatric Surgery

Are you striving to maintain your health and continue your weight loss journey post-bariatric surgery? It’s common for motivation and support to wane over time after surgery. Sometimes, it requires a renewed focus on making your health goals your top priority. It may also involve investing in your health to feel re-energized and inspired again. In this blog post, we’ve invited Dr. Connie Stapleton, a renowned bariatric psychologist, to discuss how to invest in your health effectively.

Major Financial Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery can offer significant financial benefits, especially in the initial months post-operation. By reducing your dependency on medications and decreasing co-morbidities, you can save substantially. This is particularly true if you have a history of Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. Fewer medications mean fewer co-pays, fewer refill requests, less home medical equipment, and potentially fewer doctor visits. In this case, less truly is more!

Saving Money After Bariatric Surgery

There are numerous ways to save money after surgery. One effective strategy is delaying the purchase of new clothes. Engage with your local bariatric community or religious centers. Many offer monthly clothing swaps where you can donate larger sizes and pick up smaller ones until you reach a stable weight.

Managing Your Budget Post-Surgery

Let’s examine where your money goes regarding health, especially nutrition, after bariatric surgery. Unhealthy food might seem cheaper, but it comes with long-term costs if fast food becomes a routine part of your diet.

First, evaluate how often you eat out at fast food places or restaurants. Is it 4-5 times per week? Are you feeding just yourself or your entire family? Review your bank statement from the previous month and tally up your dining out expenses over 30 days.

Can you reduce these expenses? Start by cutting back by 50% and choose healthier options when you do eat out. For example, opt for grilled chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A (be cautious with dipping sauces) or chili from Wendy’s.

If time is tight, challenge yourself to find 15 minutes for meal prep. If you’re always buying egg bites from Starbucks, consider making them at home. You can prepare a whole batch faster than waiting in the Starbucks line each week. Investing a few minutes each week to plan ahead can help you stay healthy after bariatric surgery.

Establishing Healthy Meal Planning Habits

Investing in your health requires planning. If you know you have events that might tempt you with unhealthy foods, create a game plan beforehand. How can you set yourself up for success by bringing something healthy?

Additional Tips for Better Health

Enjoy our interview with Dr. Connie Stapleton as we explore how crucial it is to invest in your health after bariatric surgery. She provides valuable insights into maintaining your well-being and achieving long-term success.

By prioritizing your health, planning meals, and making wise financial decisions, you can maintain your health and achieve your weight loss goals after bariatric surgery. Remember, investing in your health is the best investment you can make!