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Gastric bypass surgery is an effective weight management tool that has helped many people in New York and around the world find a path away from obesity.

It seems like every day there’s a new study that shows just how detrimental excessive weight gain can be for health. For those looking to make a change their lives, people come to Weight Zen for help.

While gastric bypass surgery can go a long way toward helping you to avoid the health risks of excessive weight gain, it’s by no means a silver bullet. The way you take care of yourself after gastric bypass surgery, and how closely you adhere to your follow up plan, will ultimately determine if the procedure was successful or not.

One of the things that many gastric bypass surgery patients worry about the most is how their diet will change after the procedure. It’s essential that you eat a high protein, moderate carbohydrate diet that is rich in fish, lean meat, and fruit and vegetables, but what does this really look like? After all, you can only eat so much grilled chicken breast.

Here are some additional sources of protein that will prevent you from getting bored after gastric bypass surgery!

  1. Lean beef (approximately 21 grams of protein in a three ounce serving)
  2. Greek yogurt (approximately 20 grams of protein in a one cup serving)
  3. Supplements (bars, shakes, powders and other supplemental products can contain up to 20 grams of protein per serving! Just watch out for excessive sugar.  We have a few favorites in our office, stop by to learn more!)
  4. Legumes (approximately 16 grams of protein in an eight ounce serving)

Happy and healthy eating!

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Not only can you have sex after bariatric surgery, many patients report an increased sex drive!

How Soon After Bariatric Surgery Can You Have Sex?

However, few of our patients are as excited about the short-term limitations bariatric surgery may place on their lives. One question many weight loss surgery candidates ask is: How soon after bariatric surgery can I have sex?

At Weight Zen, we advise our patients to wait at least 10-14 days, and up to a full month, before they engage in sexual intercourse. This is simply to allow your body the time it needs to heal. After most surgeries, bariatric or otherwise, patients are typically supposed to wait a similar amount of time before having intercourse. The exact number of days that you should wait is a decision made between you and Dr. Rosen.

Weight Zen Is New York’s Trusted Source For Bariatric Surgery

After bariatric surgery, your libido will likely increase dramatically, and as you start to experience weight loss in the days following your procedure, you’ll feel more confident with your partner as well.

Interested in making a change? Contact the bariatric surgery experts at Weight Zen in New York today using the below form:

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Finding the right meal plan can be difficult, especially when you have just undergone weight loss surgery. An easy meal plan to follow after weight loss surgery is the Paleo diet. Let’s discuss what this entails and why it can make life a little bit easier for our patients.

Paleo…What exactly is it?Weight Zen - grocery shopping

If you have heard about the Paleo diet, you may have heard it referred to by several different names, such as the caveman diet, primal diet, or possibly the stone-age diet. Eat like our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Essentially, what it is, is grass-fed meat, fruit, healthy fats (think avocado, nuts, and seeds), and vegetables. The general idea is to distance yourself from processed foods. You might be asking yourself, “We aren’t cavemen, so why should we eat like them?” Great question! “By following these nutritional guidelines, we put our diet more in line with the evolutionary pressures that shaped our current genetics, which in turn positively influences health and well being,” says Loren Cordain, PhD, professor of health and exercise science at Colorado State University. When it comes to living your new life post surgery, nutrient consumption is key. When consuming strictly meats, veggies, fruits, and healthy fats, you eliminate many of the empty calories typically dictating the American diet. Nutrients are key! Just a little tip for trying your new Paleo plan is to try to limit the starchy vegetables. For example, a great alternative to those heavy mashed potatoes is cauliflower mashed potatoes, not to mention these will allow you to enjoy some of your old favorites while still following the weight loss program set up by Dr. Rosen and Nutritionist Megan Wolf.

Sounds easy…But how much of my time and money will it take?

Two of the most common concerns with the Paleo diet are costs and time. You may be thinking, “That’s a lot of meat, and guess what? Meat is EXPENSIVE.” Here are a few general tips for shopping for the Paleo plan:

  • Shop for ingredients, not just an easy product. You will eat through that product soon, but those ingredients will allow you to make the same dish, sauce, etc. multiple times.
  • Try the slow cooker. You can buy a slightly cheaper, tougher piece of meat and turn it into a tender masterpiece. Not to mention, the slow cooker will become your best friend for weekly meal prep.
  • Try going meatless. No, you will not offend the Paleo guides. This is a perfect time to break out those eggs and get creative. Veggie omelets, anyone? What about turning that sweet potato into a stuffed dream?eggs
  • We encourage stocking up on some frozen veggies for a quick dinner or snack.
  • Embrace the seasons! Typically, the produce in season will be cheaper and more nutritious.
  • Buy in bulk. Initially, there may be a slightly higher investment, but long term you will save money because things like a huge jar of coconut oil or almond butter (two best friends you will make on this new adventure) will last close to a year. Go ahead, and grab the big cart to check out the nearest bulk store.
  • Here is a BIG one: organic, grass-fed, free-range, and local only when you can.  If you can swing it, great! If not, well, it does not change the diet.
  • Meal prep for the week! You can decide based on your schedule whether this means breakfast, lunch, dinner or all three! Not only will you save money by not dining out, but you can get creative and know you are living out your new weight loss program every day without the stress of having to cook every meal when you might need time to relax instead.

Ask just about anyone and they’ll tell you that weight loss is not easy, especially for people who are considered obese. Getting your weight back within a healthy and comfortable range might seem like an impossible task, but Dr. Rosen and nutritionist Megan Wolf at Weight Zen can help. Our Gastric Bypass surgery in New York is an option available to many who thought they’d never lose the weight they needed to lose.

Before the day of your surgery, you’ll be given a copy of instructions to follow so that you’re prepared for your surgery and recovery.

Preparing For Your Gastric Bypass Surgery

Preparation for your Gastric Bypass surgery will start days in advance of the actual surgery. We need your body to be as healthy as possible in order to undergo surgery, so if you are a smoker, you’ll have to quit at least a month before your the Gastric Bypass. We will also ask you to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages for at least 48 straight hours prior to your weight loss surgery. If you take any medication, you’ll need make sure to disclose that information to Dr. Rosen during your preoperative consultation.

More Steps To Take To Prepare For Your Gastric Bypass Surgery

  • Fill any medications you’ll need, and purchase all the supplies you’ll use for your recovery before the surgery. It’s also a great idea to set up an area in your home where you can rest after your surgery.
  • Secure a family member or friend who can drive you to and from your Gastric Bypass surgery. You should also have a group of trusted friends who can help you if you need anything while you’re recovering.
  • Pack a small bag to bring with you the day of your Gastric Bypass surgery. This should include your insurance information, your identification, emergency contacts, and any informative or surgical instructions. We do not suggest bringing valuables, such as jewelry or credit cards.

When the day of your Gastric Bypass surgery arrives, make sure to be dressed in comfortable clothes that you can easily put on after the surgery. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the appointment, park, settle your nerves, and anything else you need to do to feel as comfortable as possible. Following these steps will not only set you up for a successful surgery, you’ll enjoy a successful recovery, too.

Alternative Surgeries

Before we agree to perform any type of bariatric surgery on our patients, we’ll conduct a thorough examination during our consultations to make sure that bariatric surgery is the right option for you. For our patients in New York, Gastric Bypass surgery, Lap Band surgery, Gastric Sleeve surgery, and the Duodenal Switch may be recommended depending on your specific situation.

Schedule An Appointment Today

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of weight you need to lose and would like to know if you’d benefit from Gastric Bypass or some other type of bariatric surgery? Schedule an appointment with Weight Zen today, and let us help you take a step in the right direction.