Ep 37: 5 Key Self-Care Habits After Bariatric Surgery
This post is a companion to Episode 37 of the Bariatric Nutrition Coach Podcast. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
I am passionate about people approaching their bariatric journey not as a diet but as a new, healthier lifestyle. And what comes with that is self-care. These five habits are not things to do because you are on a program — they are acts of caring for yourself. That reframe can make all the difference.
1. Take Your Vitamins Regularly
Your anatomy has changed after bariatric surgery, and so has how you absorb and utilise nutrients. Even with a great diet, you still need vitamins and minerals. Tying your vitamins to an existing daily habit makes compliance so much easier.
2. Eat Regular Meals
After surgery, you cannot eat enough at one sitting to sustain you for hours. Eating regularly throughout the day is an act of fuelling yourself — helping you reach your protein goals, regulate your appetite, and avoid the cycle of over-hunger and overeating.
3. Drink Adequate Fluid
Fluid intake is genuinely hard for many people after surgery. Having a regular eating schedule helps create natural windows for fluid. Find the temperatures, flavours, and containers that make sipping enjoyable. And if you are really struggling, please seek support — dehydration affects everything.
4. Move Your Body Regularly
Not for weight loss. Not as punishment. For sleep, stress, lean muscle mass, mental health, and quality of life. Research shows regular movement is one of the strongest predictors of long-term weight maintenance after surgery. Find something that makes you smile and build it in for life.
5. Get Adequate Sleep
Sleep impacts everything — mental health, appetite regulation, energy, decision-making. If you are struggling with sleep, please reach out to your primary care provider rather than just pushing through. You deserve the support.
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