Patient Education Bariatric Surgery Patient Education | Page 16

Building New Habits to Avoid Mindless Eating
• Clean up after meals. Do not
leave food sitting out. • Never go to the grocery store
hungry.
• Avoid candy dishes. • Do not buy food from snack
machines.
• Do not multi-task while eating
(E.g., read, use a computer or
watch TV).
• Eat only at the table. Put food on
a plate and sit down when you
eat.
• Place all healthy food items at
eye level in the refrigerator so
that they are the first things you
see when the door is opened.
• Do not keep food at your desk or
in your office at work.
• Do not drink calories.
• Have fresh vegetables cut up and • Portion out food. Never eat out
ready to eat for a snack.
of an original container (E.g.,
• If there is food left on your plate
popcorn bag, grapes, cracker
and you are physically satisfied,
box).
dispose of it or place in a napkin • Avoid standing close to the food
so that you are not tempted to
tables at parties so you do not
graze.
graze.
• Do not buy unhealthy food items. • Avoid appetizers, bread baskets
Not having junk food benefits
and chip baskets at restaurants.
everyone in your home and helps
• Before eating anything, make a
you to avoid temptation.
conscious effort to ask yourself if
you are really hungry. Do not eat
because you’re bored, stressed,
need comfort or are socializing.
Weight Loss Plateaus
It’s common to experience weight loss plateaus where your weight remains
the same after surgery at various times. They can last for a few weeks and
are normal no matter how carefully you’re following your bariatric diet.
Plateaus often occur around 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and a year, but
they will pass. Your weight can change up to 5 pounds simply because of a
shift in body fluids. Pick a day and weigh yourself only once weekly.
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