Bariatric weight-loss surgeries have proven to be an effective and fast route to weight loss when all other mechanisms have failed. For some patients, bariatric surgeries give meaningful weight loss results in about 6-months or even a year after. But for most people, the results of bariatric weight loss are almost instant when doctors’ instructions are followed to the letter. Even so, some people might come to a stall in their weight loss journey, known as a weight-loss plateau. So how can you break a stall after a gastric sleeve or weight loss surgery? Most bariatric surgery patients struggle with this, and it can be depressing when they do not record even the slightest weight loss. This article gives you some hacks you can consider to help break a stall and a possibility of weight gain after a weight loss surgery. So you can figure out how to jumpstart the weight loss process after a gastric sleeve or other surgical weight loss options.
6 Ways to Break a Stall After Weight Loss Surgery
- Change Your Exercise Routine
Remember that weight loss surgeries must be coupled with proper dieting, change of lifestyle, and most importantly, physical exercise for you to achieve meaningful results. When you get accustomed to a particular workout, it becomes a routine after 2-3 weeks, in which time you will hit a plateau because you are not burning any calories. If your physical workout has been characterized by a walk, then you might consider stepping things up with a sprint or a high-intensity interval training, HIIT. This way, you will start burning extra calories and go back to the weight loss process.
- Track Your Weight and Measurements
A few months, say 6-months after the weight loss surgery, most patients experience huge weight loss up to the second year. After this period, the weight loss curve starts diving because you have already lost the fats. Most people tend to give up recording their weight and measurements when the difference is not as big as it used to be. This can and usually makes most people give up on workouts and watching their diet, and they finally hit a stall. Keeping track of your weight and measurements can help you break the stall since this shows consistency even when the weight loss is minimal.
- Go At Your Own Pace
Even if two people weighing the same had the same weight loss surgery at the same time, their weight loss curve would be different because we all have different metabolic rates. Unfortunately, most weight loss surgery patients often fall into the pattern of comparing their weight loss to others. If, for example, they tend to record lower weight loss compared to their friends, they lose hope and finally come to a stall. To break the stall, stop comparing yourself to others and walk at your pace.
- Revisit Your Diet
Most sugary and fatty foods such as fries are very tempting; you can easily slide back to eating them because, after all, it is a small amount. Often, when you find yourself in a stall after a weight loss surgery, it is highly likely that you are taking something that is not recommended. This is when you need to ask yourself, why has my weight loss stalled? Are you doing something that is not healthy? If you have slowly been sliding back to an unhealthy lifestyle, it is high time to take a U-turn to low carbs. Replace such carbs with vegetables and proteins, as they will give you energy and roughage to make you feel fuller faster.
- Get Enough Sleep
Most metabolic processes occur when someone is asleep, which means that you tend to burn more calories while asleep. Lack of enough quality sleep will plunge you into depression, a time in which you do not lose weight because the normal metabolic functions are also impacted. Have at least 8 hours of quality sleep for maximum metabolism and burning calories. Even as you do this, you must observe your diet, live a healthy lifestyle, and work out.
- Seek Help
Hitting a stall after a weight loss surgery is common with most patients, so do not get discouraged. To avoid feeling alone and discouraged, get into a support group so that you can listen to similar experiences and get moral encouragement to move forward.
If you do or have been living a healthy lifestyle but are still stuck at a weight-loss stall, you should seek professional help from your doctor. This is the best thing to do because a doctor can check for other underlying issues with your metabolism or the alimentary canal. Besides, they will advise on the change of tactics and recommend new measures according to your needs. Most importantly, strive to go to a certified and experienced weight loss surgeon.
Our team at the Weight Loss and Wellness Center can help you achieve weight loss through a variety of surgical and non-surgical solutions, creating a custom plan that works best for you and your needs. Request a consultation today or give us a call at (973) 888-1085.
