Tag: Emotional well-being

Bariatric surgery is only the beginning of your weight loss journey. To achieve sustainable weight loss, you will need to commit to long-term behaviour changes. This is the hard work that your post-surgery follow-up involves – and it may be difficult at first. But you will see that over time, as you begin to shed the weight and enjoy your new-found habits, you will never want to go back to your unhealthy lifestyle.

As part of your post-surgery follow-up, you will need to commit to:

• An active, healthy lifestyle
• Making appropriate food choices and adopting the recommended eating habits
• Complying with the nutritional, vitamin, and mineral supplement requirements recommended by your health care team
• Incorporating physical activity and exercise into your routine
• Following up with your physician as directed

 

Skin integrity is essential for the operative site. It is therefore important to maintain good hygiene by keeping your skin clean and dry, especially in the days leading up to surgery. Skin breakdown can potentially cause your surgery to be delayed.

 

Showering before surgery

It’s very important to shower the day before surgery – following the recommendations of your health care team. Remember to wash from chin to toes, paying close attention to abdominal skin folds and the pelvic area.

On the day of surgery, it is recommended that you shower in the morning.

• Refrain from using moisturisers, lotions or makeup
• Remove any nail polish
• Take off any jewellery
• You may wear dentures, but you will need to remove them just prior to surgery
• You may brush your teeth and gargle, but it is important that you do not swallow anything

Along your bariatric journey, you will meet challenges that can be difficult to manage on your own. With good support, however, these challenges can be overcome.

Here are some resources which may be helpful for you:

 

Australian Government – Department of Health

https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/overweight-and-obesity

Information is available on conditions, guidelines and additional resources

 

The Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society

www.anzos.com

ANZOS is a scientific organisation of medical practitioners, dietitians, scientists and other health care professionals interested in obesity research, treatment or public health initiatives directed at the prevention of obesity

 

The Obesity Collective

www.obesityaustralia.org/

This website draws together organisations and individuals that are committed to address the challenges associated with obesity.

 

Australian Government – Australian Institute of Health & Welfare

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/behaviours-risk-factors/overweight-obesity/overview

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare covers trends in obesity from childhood through to adulthood

 

Australian Indigenous Health Information

https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/health-topics/bodyweight/

The Australian Indigenous Health Info Net is dedicated to the health of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. There are resources available to support issues like obesity and diabetes

 

Australian National Diabetes Organisation

www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/

Diabetes Australia is dedicated to providing support and resources to people living with diabetes. There are guides available to assist with cooking, eating and exercise

 

Patient information site focusing on obesity

www.thescienceofobesity.com.au/

This website contains information on the science of obesity and how this health issue affects Australians. There is information on treatment options and also patient stories that can be viewed

 

National medical research organisation

https://www.garvan.org.au/research/diseases/obesity

The Garvan Institute aims to research all types of diseases including obesity. There is detailed information on the website that examines the research that has been conducted and approaches to obesity

 

Australian parenting website

https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/nutrition-fitness/common-concerns/child-obesity

This Australian website focuses on parents and children. Part of the website is dedicated to dealing with obesity in children

 

Australia’s leading advocate for healthy sleep

www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/

This website is a useful information resource about obstructive sleep apnoea (a common co-morbidity of obesity) and its treatment

 

International federation focused exclusively on obesity

www.worldobesity.org

World Obesity represents stakeholders in high-, medium- and low-income countries, including experts, advocates, patients and practitioners. It is a lead partner to global agencies on obesity