Bariatric surgeries, such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, involve drastic anatomical alterations in order to facilitate weight loss. Before considering bariatric surgery, your doctor will advise you to make multiple attempts to lose weight through nonsurgical means, such as by joining a weight loss center in Mt. Kisco or the surrounding Westchester County. Even if your doctor does determine that you’re a good candidate for bariatric surgery, you’ll be advised to lose weight before the procedure, typically by using OPTIFAST.
WHY YOU’LL USE OPTIFAST PRIOR TO SURGERY
Bariatric patients are often confused about why they’re asked to lose weight first. After all, isn’t that what the surgery is supposed to accomplish? The truth is that bariatric surgery isn’t a magic bullet solution. It’s definitely helpful, especially for the initial period of weight loss, but patients still need to put in the work to reach their goals. Furthermore, any surgery has the potential to cause complications. Patients who are obese have a much higher risk of complications. By losing a little weight before having the surgery, you’ll improve your safety during the procedure. You might even have a shorter stay in the hospital, and you’re likely to enjoy more robust weight loss during your first year.
HOW OPTIFAST CAN HELP YOU
If you join a bariatric support group and talk to other patients, you’re likely to find that getting into the right mindset to lose weight was a significant factor for their success. A physician-supervised OPTIFAST diet can help you accomplish this. OPTIFAST is a very low-calorie diet, consisting of meal replacements like diet shakes and bars. Adhering to this diet requires a substantial shift in your thought patterns. Once you gain confidence in your ability to make significant lifestyle changes, you’ll find that the post-operative dietary restrictions are much easier to handle.
HOW TO USE OPTIFAST PRODUCTS
OPTIFAST products are only available through your weight loss doctor. He or she will customize your specific program for you, including the types and amounts of products you’ll consume. Mix the powders with ice water. You may add approved, calorie-free flavorings to the shake powders. Your doctor may instruct you to eat up to two cups of these vegetables daily:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Green peppers
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Celery
- Cabbage
- Cucumber
These are the only approved vegetables for the OPTIFAST diet. Patients are permitted to use up to one tablespoon of calorie-free dressing on their vegetables.