6 Bariatric Surgery Myths – and the Truth

So, you’ve done an online search on bariatric weight loss and found all sorts of conflicting information about what to expect – leaving you even more confused over whether you should have the surgery. 

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation regarding bariatric surgery and what it means for long-term health. Here are a few of the most common myths and the truth behind them: 

1. I can never eat normal food. Are you worried that you’ll never have steak again? Popcorn? Birthday cake? You will be able to indulge in those foods and more — in moderation — after having bariatric surgery. It’s true that for the first two weeks following weight-loss surgery, you will consume a mostly liquid diet. This is for post-surgery recovery and is not a long-term change. The foods that you eat in the months and years that follow your surgery will be “real.” Your specific diet will vary based on the type of surgery you have and your healthcare provider’s recommendations, but actual food that you chew is still on the menu for weight-loss patients. 
2. I won’t be able to get pregnant. Do you want to start a family after surgery? Great! Your chances of conceiving and carrying a healthy baby to term can improve following weight-loss surgery. That’s because obesity and conditions that cause it, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can cause infertility. Losing weight before getting pregnant also decreases the risk of pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. You should wait one to two years after your bariatric surgery before starting your family, though, so your body can stabilize from the weight loss. 
3. I’ll have to exercise all the time to keep weight off. It’s important to educate yourself about what to expect following bariatric surgery when it comes to lifestyle changes such as exercise, food portions and rest so you can maintain your weight loss. The point of the surgery, however, is to help you lose weight more easily so that you do not have to spend hours, months and years in the gym to reach a healthy weight. Some tips for post-bariatric surgery fitness include:
   • 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. That’s it. Just a half-hour a day is all you need. This can be a walk, a jog, a dance class, in-home cycling, online exercise videos, treading water in your pool or anything you enjoy that gets you moving.
   • Strength training. Adding moderate strength exercises — just 15 or 20 minutes three times a week — can help you build muscle, which burns more calories when you are at rest. Not a fan of working out in the gym? Download a strength training app and do your workouts at home.
   • Gear. Buy an activity tracker watch, a custom pair of running shoes, new workout apparel and anything else that will inspire you to lace up and get moving.
4. I’ll never be able to drink through a straw. Do you enjoy iced coffee or smoothies with a straw? There’s no need to give that up after your bariatric surgery. In the early days of weight-loss surgery, drinking through a straw was a no-no because of the way the procedure was done. Even though this isn’t an issue with contemporary weight-loss surgeries, the myth persists. Rest assured that you can keep using a straw.
5.  I’ll have to take medication and vitamins the rest of my life. The best part about bariatric surgery is you do not need to take long-term medication or vitamins. The surgery IS the treatment. You will have to maintain your weight loss through diet modifications and a consistent exercise routine, but following the post-surgery period, you will not have any vitamins or medications to take. Any medications or vitamins you took before surgery that are still deemed necessary will be part of your routine — but you may find that you take fewer because your overall health will improve. Consult your weight-loss surgery team for the specifics of your case.
6. I can’t travel on airplanes. You will not get sick or implode after bariatric surgery if you ride on an airplane. Yes, the pressure changes when you fly. No, it does not have any bariatric-surgery specific effect on your body. If you tend to get motion sickness, you should anticipate that, but nothing new or horrible will happen to you as a result of your weight-loss surgery when you fly. So book that vacation — and pack your swimsuit, dancing shoes or hiking boots for the trip.

The truth is that life after bariatric surgery is not very restrictive at all. You will be able to do almost all the things you enjoy now — and likely even more — thanks to your improved health.