After weight loss surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, you will likely experience a period of rapid weight loss that extends for months. But, eventually, this slows down. This period can be discouraging for patients, especially if they notice the numbers on the scale going up a bit.Does this mean the surgery has failed and the patient relapsed? Not necessarily. It can come down to the difference between weight loss and fat loss.
Losing Weight vs. Losing Fat: What’s the Difference?
We tend to think of all weight loss as being fat loss, but your fat cells only make up a portion of your overall weight. Seeing the numbers on the scale go down means you lost overall body mass. However, if that isn’t all or mostly fat, the weight loss isn’t meaningful for your health.
Bariatric surgery in Tijuana is meant to help patients reduce the volume of their fat cells through reduced food consumption, and in some cases slowed absorption, limiting calorie intake.
However, if all the patient does is eat less and process fewer calories, ignoring the importance of nutrition and exercise, they will experience unhealthy weight loss.
To better understand fat loss vs. weight loss, let’s look areas you can lose weight.
Muscle Loss
Any time you reduce food intake, your muscles will receive fewer nutrients, which can let them become weak. The key is to keep them healthy through exercise. After weight loss surgeries in Mexico, patients need to find a good balance between cardio and strength training.
Strong muscles are essential for your health and function. If you lose muscle with fat, you harm your health. Additionally, muscle mass helps to reduce the appearance of skin sagging after massive weight loss, so lifting weights or doing body weight exercises will help you enjoy the results of your surgery.However, it should be noted that muscle weighs more than fat, so if you notice the scale plateauing or the numbers moving upwards a bit, don’t be alarmed.
Water Loss
A lot of trendy weight loss methods don’t burn fat; they just help the body eliminate water. About 60% of the human body is made up of water, and that means it composes a significant amount of what you weigh. The problem is that this water is essential to your bodily functions.
When on a weight loss journey, it is easy to not drink enough, especially after bariatric procedures since you should no longer drink while eating. It is common for people to completely forget to hydrate at all. This can lead to severe health complications, even if it reduces your overall weight.
Fat Loss
This is the weight you want to lose. Ensuring it is what goes requires a balanced approach. Eat smaller portions, but put protein first, then build around it with nutritious and varied foods. Hydrate on a schedule that works around your meal times. And exercise at least 3-4 days a week, mixing strength training with cardio.
To learn more about healthy weight loss after surgery, contact ALO Bariatrics.
