Nutrition, Exercise & Psychology

Part of Dr. Dale Sloan's job as a bariatric surgeon is to help his patients from Fort Wayne, Huntington, Auburn, and throughout Indiana pursue wellness in every way. Bariatric surgery is only one part of a complete weight loss strategy. Most people who are unhappy with the results of their surgery fail to lose weight because they don't follow dietary and exercise guidelines designed to help them succeed. Following the recommendations and restrictions that help to ensure a patient's success can be difficult, even for the most dedicated individuals. This is why psychological counseling and support groups are so important.

Diet and Nutrition

After a bariatric surgeon reduces the capacity of the stomach through adjustable band surgery or gastric bypass surgery, it is important for the patient to adhere to some basic nutritional requirements. Since each meal will be much smaller, it is important for the patient to eat foods with the maximum nutritional benefit per calorie. High quality, healthy, low-fat foods are best. Gastric bypass patients are generally required to take vitamin supplements to compensate for the reduced nutrient absorption of the shorter digestive tract. Each patient will discuss his or her specific nutritional requirements in detail with a nutritionist both before and after the procedure.

Exercise

Perhaps the most important factor contributing to weight loss following bariatric surgery is exercise. Regular exercise greatly accelerates the weight loss process, and treatment by a bariatric surgeon offers an excellent opportunity to establish healthy long-term exercise practices. Besides effectively accelerating weight loss, exercise improves muscle tone and benefits the patient's overall mental health. During your consultation with bariatric surgeon Dale Sloan at our center serving Auburn, Huntington, and Fort Wayne, Indiana, any concerns or questions you may have about this aspect of your treatment can be discussed in more detail.

Psychiatric Counseling and Support

Undergoing a total physical transformation and lifestyle change is psychologically challenging even for the most dedicated bariatric patient. It is difficult to remain committed to new dietary restrictions and exercise regimens over an extended period of time. This is reasonable given recent advances in understanding food consumption in terms of addiction. Many patients experience disappointment and depression when they feel their weight loss is progressing too slowly. Their negative feelings contribute to the difficulty of sticking to the post- bariatric lifestyle. As an experienced surgeon, Dr. Sloan frequently refers his patients in Fort Wayne, Auburn, Huntington, and elsewhere in Indiana to counselors and support groups to help them deal with issues related to obesity and weight loss.