Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a type of weight loss surgery that reduces the size of your stomach, helping you to lose weight by limiting food intake and controlling hunger.
Why Turkey Is a Preferred Destination for Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Turkey has become a popular destination for weight loss surgeries due to its affordable healthcare, experienced surgeons, and gastric sleeve Turkey package deals.
Lifestyle Changes: Diet, Exercise, and Abstinence from Smoking and Alcohol
You’ll also need to adopt a healthier lifestyle before the surgery. This involves following a special diet, exercising regularly, and abstaining from alcohol and smoking.
Following the surgery, you’ll stay in the hospital for a few days to recover. Your healthcare team will monitor your recovery and help manage discomfort or side effects.
After the surgery, you’ll have to adjust to a new way of eating. Initially, your diet will consist of only liquids and will gradually progress to purees, soft foods, and finally, regular foods.
You’ll be encouraged to start light activities like walking soon after surgery. As your body recovers, you can gradually increase your physical activities under the guidance of your healthcare team.
By the third month, you’ll start to notice significant changes in your body. You’ll likely have lost a noticeable amount of weight and will be adjusting to your new body.
Emotional Adjustments and Psychological Changes
This stage is also a time of emotional adjustment. As you start to see physical changes, you may also experience emotional changes. It’s crucial to have a strong support system during this time.
Tracking Your Progress: Weight Loss and Body Changes
By the six-month mark, you’ll see more profound changes in your body. You may have lost up to half of your excess weight and will follow a regular diet and exercise regimen.
Mental Health: Emotional Changes and Psychological Support
The emotional adjustment continues at this stage. Regular check-ins with a mental health professional can be beneficial to help you navigate the psychological aspects of your weight loss journey.
Reaching the Milestone: 1 Year After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Reaching the one-year mark post gastric sleeve surgery is a significant milestone in your weight loss journey. You’ve undoubtedly worked hard to reach this point, with plenty of changes, challenges, and achievements. This section aims to give you an insight into what you can typically expect one year after the surgery.
Weight Loss: What to Expect One Year On
Most patients have lost about 60-70% of their excess weight at this stage. It’s important to remember that weight loss results vary greatly from person to person, depending on factors like pre-surgery weight, age, gender, activity level, and adherence to dietary recommendations.
Focus on more than just the scale’s numbers.
Also, consider other positive changes you have noticed, like fitting into smaller clothing sizes, having more energy, or experiencing improvements in weight-related health conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension.
Physical Fitness: The Long-Term Impacts of Surgery
By the one-year mark, you will likely notice a significant improvement in your overall physical fitness and well-being. As your body continues to shed excess weight, your ability to engage in physical activity will improve. Many patients report improved mobility, less joint pain, and increased endurance.
Exercise becomes more enjoyable and less strenuous, making maintaining a regular workout routine easier. Improved fitness levels also open the doors to try new activities and sports that may have been inaccessible or difficult for you before surgery.
Dietary Changes: Adapting to Your New Normal
One year after surgery, your diet will have significantly changed. You will have adapted to eating smaller portions due to the reduced size of your stomach. The focus will be on nutrient-dense foods to meet your body’s needs.
By now, you likely have a good understanding of what foods you can tolerate well and those that you need to avoid. You’ll have learned how to balance protein, carbohydrates, and fats and how to keep hydrated.
Emotional Wellness: Psychological Adjustments One Year On
The one-year mark isn’t just about physical transformation and emotional and psychological changes. This journey can be an emotional rollercoaster, with highs of achieving your weight loss goals and lows of dealing with challenges such as food cravings or slow progress.
You may also be grappling with changes in how others perceive you and adjusting to the increased attention your new figure might attract. This is a time to practice self-love, patience, and acceptance.
Remember that it’s okay to seek support. You’re not alone in this journey. Contact your doctor, a psychologist, or a support group to help navigate these changes.
The journey from pre-surgery to one-year post-op is filled with challenges and victories. Each stage brings new experiences and learnings.
The journey doesn’t end one year post-op—it’s just the beginning. With your new body and healthier lifestyle, you’re ready to embrace life with renewed energy and positivity. The future looks bright after your gastric sleeve in Turkey!
