Weight fluctuations after bariatric surgery are more common than many patients are led to initially believe. Weight loss surgery can help patients lose a significant amount of weight; however, it does not come without changing lifestyle habits, including diet and exercise.
Weight fluctuating between +/- 5 to 10 pounds is completely normal and happens to most patients. In many cases, when a patient experiences weight fluctuations after bariatric surgery, especially within the first two years, it is due to a change in their lifestyle – whether that be a change in eating habits or stress levels. However, it could also be due to other underlying conditions. In this blog, we will discuss the various reasons a patient may experience weight fluctuations after bariatric surgery and what they can do about it.
Reasons for Weight Fluctuations after Bariatric Surgery
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1. Change in eating habits
1. Change in eating habitsOne of the most common reasons patients will see their weight go up (or down) is their eating behaviors. Typically, we see patients regaining weight after a year post-op because they fall into old eating habits.
Two behaviors that are almost always the culprit for weight regain post-op are frequent snacking and the overconsumption of carbohydrates.
Snacking between meals can lead to significant weight gain after weight loss surgery due to the quality and quantity of food consumed. Most often, snack foods are full of carbohydrates and sugar. They are considered “low density” food items due to the lack of nutrition.
When you don’t sit down for planned meals, it is easy to overeat or eat foods that are not on your nutrition plan. Although we suggest bariatric patients eat five small meals daily, we also suggest they plan accordingly.
The second reason you may experience weight fluctuations after bariatric surgery is the overconsumption of carbohydrates. Although the body needs a certain amount of carbohydrates to fuel itself, you will gain weight if you do not burn more than you consume. Therefore, we recommend bariatric patients avoid high-carb foods such as fruit, starchy vegetables, and grains (including pasta and bread). Your body will receive enough carbs from the other foods on your nutrition plan to function correctly and still help you lose weight.
2. Change in exercise habits
Another reason a patient may experience weight fluctuations after bariatric surgery is a change in their physical activity. Weight loss is a result of burning more calories than you consume. If you have recently started or ended a workout routine, your weight may adjust to reflect the change in calorie burn, especially if you are not changing your calorie consumption.
Similarly, if you have recently started a workout routine focused on strength training and notice your weight increasing (especially after it has plateaued for a while), don’t be alarmed. Strength training increases your muscle mass, thus increasing your weight since muscle weighs more than fat.