Thinking about gastric sleeve surgery? It’s one of the most effective tools for long-term weight loss, but only if you avoid the common mistakes that derail results. As a bariatric center that’s helped over 20,000 patients, we’ve seen firsthand what works… and what doesn’t.
Let’s walk through the 7 deadly mistakes patients make after surgery, especially #4, which surprises most people.
1. Eating Too Much, Too Soon
Your stomach is healing. Cramming in food, even healthy food, too early can stretch your sleeve, cause pain, and slow weight loss. There’s a reason your post-op diet is phased: liquids, then soft foods, then solids. Follow it.
2. Drinking While You Eat
This one feels harmless, but it’s not. Drinking liquids with meals pushes food through your stomach faster, making you feel hungry again sooner. That leads to overeating. The fix? Stop drinking 30 minutes before and after your meals.
3. Grazing All Day
Snacking may seem innocent, but it can become a habit. If you’re constantly grazing, you can easily eat more than your body needs, even with a small stomach. Instead, focus on three structured meals and one small snack, if needed.
4. Not Getting Enough Protein (This is the most common hidden mistake)
Protein isn’t just about muscle. It protects your metabolism. After surgery, your body is in recovery mode, and if you’re not eating enough protein, you’ll burn muscle instead of fat. That leads to fatigue, stalls, and saggy skin.
We check for this early on in your Health History Form because it can impact how we support your nutrition.
5. Skipping Follow-Up Appointments
You’re not in this alone. Skipping follow-ups means you’re missing out on personalized advice that could prevent issues like acid reflux, constipation, or vitamin deficiencies. Let your team help you. That’s what we’re here for.
6. Comparing Your Weight Loss to Others
It’s tempting to scroll Instagram and wonder, “Why is she losing faster than me?” But everyone’s journey is different. Different body types. Different starting points. Focus on your progress and trust the process.
7. Letting One Bad Day Turn Into a Bad Month
Slip-ups happen. One slice of pizza doesn’t undo everything, but giving up does. If you fall off, get back on track with your next meal. Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence.
Ready to Do This Right?
Avoiding these 7 mistakes can mean the difference between frustration and real, lasting weight loss. And if you’re serious about getting started the right way…
➤ Want to know if you could be a candidate? Take 30 seconds to fill out this quiz and we’ll let you know: https://bit.ly/EndobariatricQuiz
