Congratulations on taking the step to having your weight loss surgery in Perth! The way you prepare for your weight loss surgery will ensure that you have a fighting chance for a successful and long-term weight loss after surgery. We’ve put together some tips to help you successfully prepare for your weight loss surgery with Dr Padovan in Perth.

Be informed about your weight loss surgery

Being informed about your weight loss surgery helps you know what to expect. Research your surgery well and learn as much as you can about it from trusted websites and from your health care professional. Know the risks involved and what will be required of you after surgery i.e. going to follow-up appointments, changing your diets, exercising, etc.

Do you know someone who has had weight loss surgery? Pick their brain. Getting their first-hand account of their surgical experience and life after surgery can put your mind at ease with your decision to go ahead with your surgery.

Being informed about your weight loss surgery should also include asking your surgeon about your procedure. Dr Padovan has extensive bariatric surgery experience. He is more than happy to answer your questions about your surgery during your appointments with him.

You can book your appointment with him here.

Go to all your appointments

We can’t stress this enough. Before your surgery, you’ll have appointments with our dietician, anaesthetist, and other members of our team. This is to make sure your surgery goes smoothly.

Going to your appointments also helps you to get into a routine. After your surgery, you’ll be required to attend follow-up appointments with Dr Padovan and the rest of our multi-disciplinary team at Emerge Surgical.

Find out more about the importance of long-term follow-ups here.

Lose the diet mentality

Weight loss surgery isn’t a diet; it’s a lifestyle change.

Thinking of weight loss surgery as a diet sets you up for failure because diets are short-term. Viewing your weight loss surgery as a lifestyle change is the right way to go.
Weight loss surgery requires you make a lifelong commitment to healthier eating habits and a healthier lifestyle. Unlike dieting, your commitment to healthier habits after your surgery shouldn’t end after you reach your goal weight.

Viewing your weight loss as a new way of living will help you stay motivated as you work to reach and maintain your desired weight for life.

Know your goals and be honest with yourself

Ask yourself, ‘What do I really want from this?’

Weight loss surgery is not a magical solution. It’s a tool to help you live a better life. You have to work for your results. Unfortunately, you won’t wake up with your dream body overnight.

Understand and set goals for yourself before your surgery. Have a target weight range in mind and set other goals. Maybe you want to run laps around your local park without stopping? Maybe you’d like to fit into a certain size pants you wore when you were at a happier weight.

Remember, the goal of weight loss surgery is to become healthier and happier. Try not to get too stressed about the number on your bathroom scale.

Get a good support system in place

Having a good support system in place before and after your surgery is vital to your success and peace of mind. Surround yourself with people who will support you in your new journey. Your support group should comprise supportive people you trust. This can be your family and friends.

Your support system can also come from people online, especially on social media. There are many online support groups for people who have had weight loss surgery or about to have weight loss surgery.
The groups are safe, open, and friendly. You can learn how to be a successful weight loss patient from other patients, learn some awesome recipes and nutritional ideas and can get the support and motivation from them when you feel down.

Are you looking for a great online support system? We recommend the Facebook group created by our patients: WLS Patients of Dr Gordon Padovan!

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. We too at Emerge Surgical are also your support system.

Purge and restock your pantry before your weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery is all about your mindset.

Before your weight loss surgery in Perth, we highly recommend purging your pantry of unhealthy food and replacing them with healthier options. The last thing you want is to come home from surgery to see piles of chips, lollies, and soft drinks in the pantry.

The best thing to do is to restock your pantry with things you’ll need for your strict post-op diet such as broths and soups.

Try to change your eating habits

Positive change starts from within.

Preparing for your weight loss surgery shouldn’t have to end with you restocking your pantry with healthier food options. In the weeks or months leading up to your surgery, look at your eating habits. Do you have an addiction to soft drinks, chips, or extra sweet popcorn? These kinds of food can easily sabotage your weight loss after surgery. We recommend cutting them out of your diet before your surgery.

Are you an emotional eater? Your weight loss surgery will restrict the amount of food you’ll be able to eat, and so, emotional eating will be difficult after surgery. Still, you might feel the need to use food as an outlet. Talk to your dietician before your surgery about your eating habits so they can equip you with tools to control your emotional eating behaviour.

Are you considering weight loss surgery in Perth?

Deciding to have weight loss surgery is the first step in the right direction to living a happier and healthier future. Call us today at 9544 5200 to schedule your appointment with Dr Padovan.