Fad diets are almost constantly topic of conversation. This is because, as a nation, we are obsessed with losing weight, but so few of us actually manage to do it. While some diets work in a very short term, most people end up putting weight back on, and often more than they started with. As a result, there is a continuous increase in the number of bariatric surgeries that are performed as well. However, these continue to be quite risky surgeries, which is why new options are being developed constantly. One of those is the gastric balloon. While this is a fantastic tool to help people lose weight, and has the added benefit of being a temporary, minimally invasive solution, it is important to not see it as a miracle device that allows you to maintain your current lifestyle and still end up with a fantastic figure. Losing weight takes a lifelong commitment, and the balloon is simply there to provide you with some support in that. Proper nutrition is key, and you should be supported in achieving that through your bariatric surgeon.
Protein and Gastric Balloons
Protein is an essential element of our diet, regardless of how old we are, or what our overall health is. It has long been known that, following a gastric bypass, people have an increased need for protein, as it helps with the overall healing process and with strength building. The same is now true for the gastric balloon.
That said, there is also such a thing as too much protein. If you consume protein but don’t allow your body to use it, then it will get stored as fat instead. This is another reason why it is so important to be under proper consultation with a nutritionist and to follow their guidelines to the letter. You cannot simply Google a diet that has worked for other people and expect it to work for you as well, as you are unique and have similarly unique needs that only a trained professional can help you determine.
You will need protein in higher quantities after you have had the balloon placed because you will need it for energy. It is likely that, in the past, most of your energy came from sugar, which will now no longer be part of your diet. Furthermore, leading a healthy lifestyle includes getting plenty of exercise, and this also means that you need protein. Thanks to protein, you will be able to build healthy, strong muscle tissue, and you will be less susceptible to injury. Last but not least, when you eat protein, you will feel fuller even quicker, and those feelings will last longer as well.
If you are considering a gastric balloon, it is important that you not only study the procedure itself, but also the diet and lifestyle you will have to adopt afterwards. This will greatly increase the chances of the procedure being an overwhelming success, and of teaching you to adopt a healthy lifestyle permanently.
