Habits

This topic has come up a couple of times in conversations recently and I think it is really important to keep in mind, especially when you are recovering from weight loss surgery. The period of time after your weight loss surgery is a great time to work on establishing new habits. You cannot eat very much and it is the perfect time to lay down new patterns with regards to your eating. This is a time when you have to focus on getting protein in first, so the little that you can eat should give you the most "bang for the buck".

I remember one of my early follow-up visits with the nutritionist. I told her about my latte habit at work. We had a machine that made great lattes and I was having at least 2-3 a day at work. I thought it was great as I was getting in more protein. The nutritionist cautioned me about the habit I was establishing, pointing out that while now it was a latte at 10:00, as I progressed and I was able to eat more it might progress to a choice that wasn't as good. It wasn't that I couldn't/shouldn't have the latte, but I that I should be aware of which habits I was establishing early on in my recovery.

This topic also came up in our support group meeting this month. It was pointed out that as you get further out from the surgery you are able to eat more often and eat bigger quantities. The habits you establish early on can help with your success when it is more about the choices you made and less about the restriction the surgery provides.

I would advise anyone newly post-op to take advantage of this time and establish habits that will help bring success.