Maintaining Weight Loss After Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty: Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Studies show that people lose about 15% of their body weight within the first year of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) but may struggle to keep it off.

There’s no question that weight loss surgery is effective at helping people reach their health goals, but it’s a tool, not a cure for obesity. Surgery helps you make the diet and lifestyle changes that lead to long-term results.

At Transform Bariatrics, Dr. Hitesh Amin transforms lives with bariatric surgery, but he doesn’t do it alone. He works with a team that helps patients create eating and lifestyle habits that help them lose weight and keep it off.

Here, we want to share how we help our patients maintain weight loss after ESG with diet and lifestyle changes.

Nourishing the new you

ESG is a nonsurgical weight loss surgery that uses sutures instead of a scalpel to shrink the stomach. This allows you to fill up fast and eat less, helping you create new eating habits without hunger getting in the way.

Our registered dietitian teaches you how to eat after ESG so you can lose weight and get the nutrition your body needs. Meals are small but frequent and emphasize nutrient-rich foods like lean proteins and vegetables.

You need to chew food thoroughly to avoid stomach upset. Eating slowly allows you to tune into your hunger and fullness sensations. Eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re full are habits that support weight management.

Exercising as a lifestyle

Exercise is key for maintaining weight loss, but if you find exercise a chore, you may have a hard time sticking with the routine. 

So, add more movement to your day instead of joining a gym. Start with a 5 to 10 minute walk first thing in the morning or after dinner. Keep it simple and do your best to make it a daily habit, but don’t beat yourself up when you miss it. Gradually increase the length of your walk to 30 minutes a day.

Keep it fun with active hobbies like hiking, dancing, or basketball with friends. 

Changing your relationship with food

We eat for many reasons, turning to food to cope with stress or unhappiness. ESG gives you a chance to change your relationship with food. Instead of eating to stuff down emotions, you eat for nourishment and joy.

Spending time with loved ones, joining a support group, or talking to a therapist can also help rewire your brain and quiet the food noise. 

Building a routine 

Creating healthy habits is vital for long-term weight management after ESG. Establish a daily routine for meals, activity, and self-care. You may sometimes stray from your routine, but that’s okay. Instead of giving up, restart your routine, resuming the healthy habits that helped you get this far.

Weight management is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on progress instead of perfection, taking the time to learn and grow.

With the right tools and support, you can achieve your health goals. We can provide everything you need to reach a healthy weight. Call our office today or request an appointment online.