Why You Need to Keep Seeing a Nutritionist After Bariatric Surgery

Anyone trying to lose weight can benefit from seeing a nutritionist, but it’s especially important for people who’ve undergone bariatric surgery. When you have bariatric surgery, it’s typically after you’ve followed a weight loss plan that aided in your weight loss. It’s easy to think you can take it from here post-op. However, a nutritionist can be as beneficial after surgery as they were before surgery. Here’s why you should keep up with your nutritionist after the surgery is done. 

Your body changes after surgery

After your surgery, you can only eat so much. Since your body won’t let you eat as much food, you need to be strategic about what you eat. A nutritionist can help you come up with a strategy that’s built for your body and recovery process. Your body now absorbs nutrients differently, so there’s a strong chance that you’ll need to change up your diet and supplement routine to fit your new body. 

Finding the right post-op supplements

Since your body now absorbs nutrients differently, you need to be more careful than before surgery about taking the right supplements. A nutritionist can help you avoid deficiencies with the help of supplements that work together to allow you to help you reach optimal nutrition levels. They can also tell you which ones should be taken with food and without food, as well as helping you with the timing. Once you get on a solid supplement plan, you may notice that weight loss continues in a healthy way. 

You may gain or lose weight after surgery

If you’re not careful, you can lose too much weight following surgery, or you can regain a significant amount of the weight you lost. A nutritionist can help you fuel your body properly so that you lose body weight steadily and safely. With nutritional counseling, you learn what you need to be eating and what supplements you should take to maintain a healthy body. After surgery, slow and steady weight loss is preferable to rapid weight loss. 

Customized nutrition plans are essential 

No two weight loss journeys are the same. A nutritionist can tailor a plan to help you reach your personal health needs and goals. They will go over things like reading food labels and eating a variety of foods that will help you reach your long-term goals. They can also help you determine the best way to eat for your changed body. And when you have questions, you’ll always have a trusted advisor to ask. 

Expert opinion on nutrition

When you’re not feeling right, you can ask your nutritionist for assistance and advice. A nutritionist can also hold you accountable and help you determine if your current plan is working. They will periodically check your levels of vitamins to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need. Having an expert by your side will help you reach your goals in a safe and healthy way.

Having a nutritionist guide you from pre-op to post-op is always a good idea for bariatric surgery patients. Bring your nutritionist with you until you’re fully recovered and have all the tools you need to reach your goals and maintain your weight loss. It never hurts to have help during your weight loss journey, and a nutritionist can help you reap the rewards of your new, healthy life!