Chapter 21
Ten Tips for Long-Term Success
In This Chapter
▶ Eating well
▶ Drinking well
▶ Staying active
Y
our weight loss surgery is just the beginning. You have embarked on
a lifelong journey, and you’re going to have to make some permanent
changes in order to be successful not only with long-term weight loss, but
also in overall health. The whole process can be overwhelming, but if you
take it step by step and one day at a time, those changes will become second
nature.In this chapter we go over a few of the most important things you have to
remember to keep you healthy so that you can achieve your weight loss
goals. Remember, just as each surgeon is different (and you should always
abide by what yours recommends), each weight loss patient is also different.
Follow these tips while figuring out what works for you, and remember that
your journey may be nothing like your friend or coworker’s experience.Eat on a Schedule
No longer is it possible for you to eat everything you want, any time you
want. By having the surgery, you have made an investment in your lifelong
health. But the surgery is just a tool. Success still depends on a lot of hard
work on your part.By eating on a schedule, you will avoid grazing, which leads to weight gain.
You may not experience hunger in the early days after surgery, but a point
may come when you will. This decreased hunger will actually help you stay
on your meal plan. By forming good habits now, it will be easier to avoid any
weight gain down the road.