Laura Lee, surgical weight loss coordinator at Utah Valley Hospital, says, “Surgery results in a 90 percent improvement or resolution of obesity-related illness and disease, helping patients improve their lifestyle and giving them more energy and stamina. But the most important thing for patients to remember is that weight-loss surgery is a commitment to a new, healthier lifestyle.”

Lee recommends all patients examine whether they’re ready to make the changes needed to lose weight and maintain their new physique. Some of the changes are what you’d expect, like increasing your exercise levels and eating a healthy diet of mostly proteins, vegetables and fruit. Other changes to consider include:

• Eating small portions of food, always
• Taking vitamins, minerals and calcium supplements to ensure proper nutrition
• Giving up soda, permanently
• Committing to seeing your surgeon annually
• Joining a support group for surgical weight-loss patients

Surgery is a big step for anyone, and patients who aren’t committed to a new lifestyle often see weight creep back on and the return of symptoms like diabetes, high blood pressure, acid reflux and depression.

“Making all those changes at once can be overwhelming,” says Lee. “That’s why our team is committed to helping you through the entire process with education before and after surgery as well as support groups and access to our on-site dietitian and exercise physiologist. We can also help our patients find help for the mental health side of obesity. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the difference surgery can make for a patient who is ready to make changes.”

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