How to Get to a Healthy Weight So You Can Get Gastric Sleeve

There are requirements you must meet in order to qualify for bariatric surgery. If you’re hoping to undergo gastric sleeve surgery to lose weight, it’s important that you meet these requirements to lower your risk for complications that surgery can cause.

At OakBend Medical Group, our weight loss surgery experts Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven M. Thomas, MD, FACS, and Genna Lubrano, MD, specialize in gastric sleeve procedures to support healthy, safe weight loss.

Our team also provides comprehensive services to help you get prepared for surgery. We offer resources to help you lose weight ahead of your surgery, so there’s less risk for complications associated with surgery and the use of anesthesia.

Why weight loss before surgery is necessary

Weight loss before surgery is important for your own health. The goal of pre-surgery weight loss is to reduce fat in your abdomen, especially around your liver, to make surgery safer. 

Successful weight loss also allows our team to use minimally invasive surgical techniques during a gastric sleeve procedure. Minimally invasive techniques require smaller incisions that cause less bleeding and heal faster.

The amount of weight you need to lose depends on your overall health, current weight, and the type of weight loss surgery you’re having. In general, people usually need to lose about 10% of their current weight in advance of their surgery.

Strategies for weight loss before a gastric sleeve

While we can provide weight loss strategies that meet your personal needs during your consultation, there are things you can start doing now to kickstart your weight loss journey.

Here are three pre-surgery weight loss tips to consider starting today:

1.Cut out sweets and processed foods

Eliminate all sugary foods and drinks from your cabinets. This includes pre-packaged junk foods, soda, and processed foods in a box. You should also avoid high-carb foods like white breads and white rice and pasta.

Incorporate more fresh foods into your daily diet, including leafy green vegetables, fish, beans, and nuts. Make veggies and other healthy snacks available in the refrigerator, so you easily have access to sugar-free, heart-healthy foods.

2. Keep moving

Daily exercise is essential for successful weight loss. Take daily walks outside, even if you start by going just around the block. Try to increase how far you can walk each day as you build up your stamina.

We can also recommend modified exercise you can do when seated if your current weight limits what you can do physically.

3. Avoid alcohol and smoking

Alcohol use can increase your empty calorie intake and make weight loss more difficult. Try to cut down on your alcohol use ahead of surgery if you can’t quit completely.

We also recommend that you quit smoking for good ahead of your gastric sleeve to prevent complications. Smoking can affect your lung function while under anesthesia and can also slow down your natural healing process following surgery.

The changes you make before surgery will also carry over to your routine after your procedure is complete. To support your recovery from gastric sleeve surgery and maintain your weight loss results, you need to stay committed to a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a positive mindset.

Call OakBend Medical Group in Richmond, Texas, to schedule a gastric sleeve consultation or book an appointment online today.