Weight Loss Surgery Support & Aftercare in Connecticut

Success after bariatric surgery depends not only on the procedure itself, but also on following a healthy lifestyle and regular follow with your doctor after the surgery. At Ehrlich Bariatrics, we care about your progress. We provide nutrition and exercise guidelines that should be followed for the best outcomes. We understand that it can be difficult to get started and to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and we take the extra step to provide you not only with encouragement, but also with extensive support services in Connecticut.

We are there for you every step of the way through your weight loss journey with nutrition and exercise classes, support groups and personalized education to help you succeed in fighting the disease of obesity. Our experience shows that scheduling periodic appointments with Dr. Ehrlich and our staff and regularly attending support services are key components to your ongoing education, motivation and success.

Nutrition after Weight Loss Surgery

After your bariatric surgery in Connecticut, you must follow a specific diet to let your body heal and to adjust to the changes in your stomach. Dr. Ehrlich and our staff will provide you with specific guidelines that are customized to your medical history and personal preferences. The following is the general diet progression after weight loss surgery.

The post-operative diet progresses weekly. At discharge from the Hospital, you will be on a clear liquid, low sugar, protein rich diet. After the second week, you will be able to start eating thin yogurt and low calorie protein shakes. You will be meeting with Dr. Ehrlich at one of his Connecticut offices for your three-week check, where he will progress you to a pureed, low-fat, low-sugar diet that contains all the protein requirements. By the forth week after weight loss surgery, you can start eating soft foods such as scrambled eggs. Low fat, low sugar and protein rich food are recommended after the fifth week. Eventually, you will be able to eat most foods you ate before surgery, but now you will have to make healthier choices with the reduced amount of food you can consume.

Dr. Ehrlich and our staff will provide you with a detailed diet plan that includes daily bariatric formulated vitamin and mineral supplements. Your progression will be closely followed and you will be given personalized dietary advice in addition to the available nutrition classes. Research and our own experience has shown that patients who follow our dietary guidelines and consult with our staff regularly tend to lose more weight and maintain their weight loss better than patients who do not follow-up.

We are dedicated to your long-term success in fighting the disease of obesity and offer many support services to help you on your weight loss journey and to help you avoid regaining weight after bariatric surgery.

Post Bariatric Surgery Exercise

Exercise after weight loss surgery is very important not only for the physical appearance and stamina, but also for maintaining your health and mental and emotional balance. Physical activity brings more oxygen to the brain and stimulates cognitive functioning, helps you live longer by strengthening your metabolism, and promotes positive emotions and happiness. It is generally known that exercise has plenty of benefits, and post bariatric surgery exercise plans are ideal to help patients on their weight loss journey.

Ehrlich Bariatrics advises patients to start light physical activity a few weeks after surgery, once their stomach is healed. You can start with walking or taking the stairs instead of an elevator. Gradually, you should progress to an exercise program that will keep you healthy and in good shape in the long-term. Our comprehensive support program offers low impact exercise classes and a fitness center to bariatric surgery patients.

Support Groups in Connecticut

We understand that not everyone likes support groups. This is why Ehrlich Bariatrics has partnered with Griffin Hospital to offer a truly unique and comprehensive weight loss surgery support program. Unlike any other support program in Connecticut, this program goes well beyond excellent healthcare. We provide a variety of support services to ensure support in all types of formats and persons. Examples are support groups for men, dining out clubs, therapy groups, exercise classes, cooking demonstrations and supermarket tours.

As part of this program, we offer On Track workshops that address the specific needs of patients who may struggle with weight regain or just need a little extra boost of motivation in a judgment-free environment. Our support services let you be part of our weight loss surgery community that allows you to get advice and encouragement not only from bariatric professionals, but also from your fellow patients. Learn more about support groups or register for a support group now.

Follow-Up With Dr. Ehrlich in Our Connecticut offices

Dr. Ehrlich and our staff are committed to your long-term success. Scheduling regular appointments with Dr. Ehrlich and our staff will keep you on track with your weight loss journey and help maintain your overall health. Ehrlich Bariatrics offers ongoing education, motivation and support to all weight loss surgery patients. Long-term and regular follow-up are important regardless of which bariatric surgery you choose. We encourage you to set up your appointments in advance and to talk to our staff about the long-term follow-up plan.

Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery in Connecticut

The amount of weight lost is different from person to person, depending on the type of surgery performed, the starting BMI, your general health, age and your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Bariatric surgery is about gaining health, rather than losing weight. Dr. Ehrlich and our staff will recommend which surgery would be better suited in regards to other health conditions that you may have (such as diabetes) and your lifestyle and personal preferences.

Gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy patients expect to lose about 60 to 80% of their excess weight in about two years. LAP-BAND® surgery patients lose their weight more gradually over three years and average an excess weight loss of around 50%.

Exercise, a healthy lifestyle, regular follow-up with your surgeon and attendance of support groups not only increases the total weight lost, but helps patients maintain their weight long-term. We have built our program in such a way as to truly give you the best opportunity for long-term success in fighting the disease of obesity.

Life after Weight Loss Surgery in Connecticut

Whether you are a gastric bypass, gastric banding or gastric sleeve surgery patient, Ehrlich Bariatrics and Griffin Bariatrics designed a support program just for you. Don’t hesitate to ask us about our programs and events.