Ep 2: Bariatric Surgery Progress | 5 Ways to Track Other Than the Scales
This post is a companion to Episode 2 of the Bariatric Nutrition Coach Podcast. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
The scales. For many people, they're not exactly a piece of equipment they love. In fact, most people come into their weight loss surgery journey with a long and complicated history with scales — years of jumping on hoping for a result, only to feel deflated, knocked off course, or completely derailed in an instant.
There is so much power placed in that little piece of metal or plastic on the floor. And one of my goals when working with clients is to take that power away — because the truth is, the scales are a very one-dimensional measure. They don't tell you if you're building lean muscle mass. They don't tell you if you're holding fluid. Relying solely on the scales after weight loss surgery is both a flawed and disempowering way to measure your progress.
In this episode, I'm sharing five other ways to track your progress after bariatric surgery that have nothing to do with the number on the scales.
1. Body Measurements
Using a measuring tape to track your body measurements is one of the most reliable ways to see what's actually changing in your body. Many people start this from day one of their journey, but if you haven't started yet — that's completely fine. You can begin at any point, whether it's two weeks or six months post-surgery.
I recommend doing body measurements once a month rather than every day or every week. Pick consistent spots — waist, hips, chest, arms, thighs — and record them over time. Watching those numbers shift is a powerful reminder that your body is changing, even when the scales aren't moving.
2. How Your Clothes Fit
We've all seen those wonderful photos people share on social media — standing inside the pants they used to wear, or holding up a dress that's now three sizes too big. That physical, visual feedback can be incredibly powerful, especially on the days when you look in the mirror and struggle to see the difference yourself.
Keep a favourite item of clothing from before surgery and try it on every month or so. Watching it get looser and looser is one of the most motivating and tangible ways to celebrate your progress.
3. Pathology and Health Measures
This is one of my favourites. Many people choose bariatric surgery for health reasons — to reduce the risk of diabetes, improve cholesterol, lower blood pressure, or come off medications. So it makes complete sense to track and celebrate those health wins too.
Watching your HbA1c drop, seeing your blood pressure normalise, or having your doctor reduce your medications — these are enormous victories that deserve to be celebrated. You're not just losing weight; you're reducing your long-term risk of serious health conditions. That is worth acknowledging.
4. Energy and Pain Levels
This one is beautifully simple but often overlooked. Before surgery, take note of your energy and pain levels — even giving them a score out of 10. Then check back in at one month, two months, six months post-surgery and compare.
Because improvement in these areas tends to happen gradually in small increments, it's easy to forget how far you've actually come. Keeping a record helps you see the full picture — and reminds you that better quality of life is absolutely worth celebrating, regardless of what the scales say.
5. Mobility and Fitness
Being able to move your body more freely, walk further, climb stairs without pain, keep up with your kids — these are life-changing wins. Tracking improvements in your mobility and fitness levels is a wonderful marker of progress that the scales simply can't capture.
Whether it's walking an extra block, completing a fitness class, or simply bending down to tie your shoes with ease — notice these moments, record them, and celebrate them. They're the real markers of a healthier, fuller life.
Quick Recap: 5 Ways to Track Progress Other Than the Scales
- Body measurements
- How your clothes fit
- Pathology and health measures
- Energy and pain levels
- Mobility and fitness
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