Your weight loss operation is not a cure for obesity. Without behavioral modifications and a commitment to healthier habits, weight loss surgery is essentially ineffective. Long-term success depends on eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and making appropriate lifestyle modifications.

You are not alone on your journey. The Texas Laparoscopic Consultants team will continuously motivate, support, guide and educate you as you navigate life after surgery. Our Houston bariatric surgeons and support staff will point you in the direction of resources that many of our weight loss patients have found valuable.

During the first year after surgery, our multidisciplinary professionals will work closely with you to ensure you’re on the right path to success. After the first year, we follow up with you annually to make sure you’re still on track with your goals.

Let’s take a closer look at the follow-up care that you can expect after weight loss surgery.

Medical Supervision

Initially, we will schedule regular office visits with you. During these visits, we will:

• Check vitals – e.g., your blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate
• Order/review lab work to check your vitamin levels and metabolic profile
• Review your weight loss progress
• Evaluate the status of co-morbidities
• Monitor psychological health conditions – e.g., depression
• Discuss any other concerns/problems

Dietician

We will address dietary modifications prior to your surgery, but aftercare and follow-up with a dietician is crucial. Your dietician can help you develop meal plans, make sure you’re getting the proper nutrients and vitamins in your diet and offer tips for cooking after bariatric surgery. Learn more about the pre and post-operative diets we recommend.

Support Groups

Support groups are another important component of follow-up care, and offer the opportunity to connect with peers that are experiencing the same challenges and successes. If you are not able to attend an in-person support group, consider joining an online community with the same goals.

Fitness Trainer

After recovering from weight loss surgery, you must move your body on a daily basis. We usually recommend starting out with short walks, and gradually building up the speed and distance. As you lose weight and become more active, you should coordinate with an exercise physiologist or a personal trainer to develop a sustainable exercise plan that combines weight training, cardio activity and stretching. We can help you find a fitness professional in your community who has worked with post-bariatric surgery patients.  

Psychological Services

For many people, rapid weight loss after surgery can have psychological challenges. Some describe the post-operative ups and downs as an emotional roller coaster. Talking to a mental health professional is often helpful in resolving these issues and managing the highs and lows of the weight loss journey. Psychological services are also helpful when dealing with food addiction issues that may have been present prior to surgery. 

Long-Term Follow-Up Care

After the first year of surgery, our team will schedule annual visits to check in with you about your health status, weight loss goals and overall wellness. We recommend yearly blood work to ensure your body is getting the proper nutrition and your organs are properly functioning.  

Learn More about Our Program

For more information about our weight loss program and how we follow up with our patients after surgery, please contact Texas Laparoscopic Consultants by calling (713) 264-8024 or sending us an email today.