July 22, 2025
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Read Time
Embarking on a weight loss surgery journey with New Me is a monumental step towards reclaiming your health and vitality. It’s a deeply personal commitment, a declaration that you are ready to break free from the limits that excess weight may have imposed — not just on your body, but on your life. While the surgical procedure marks a transformative physical milestone, true, lasting success comes from what follows: reshaping your habits, mindset, and relationships.
This journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. And most importantly, it’s about becoming the healthiest, most fulfilled version of yourself.
In the first days and weeks after surgery, everything feels new. Your body is healing, your diet has undergone drastic changes, and you may be wondering how you'll ever feel "normal" again. These early weeks can be filled with doubt, fatigue, and sometimes even regret — a completely normal part of the healing process known in some circles as "buyer's remorse." But rest assured, these feelings pass.
A patient named Sarah once told us, "I cried the first time I sat down to eat and realised I couldn't finish a boiled egg. It hit me that this was real, and life was going to be different forever." Today, Sarah is two years post-op, 45 kg lighter. She walks her kids to school every morning and volunteers at the local community garden. "Different" became "better" — but it took time, and that's okay.
That’s why we often remind patients: this isn’t a sprint. You don’t need to achieve everything in a month. Instead, focus on healing, follow your post-op diet closely, walk daily (even if it’s just around the house at first), and stay connected with your care team. Every step forward, no matter how small, counts.
After the initial recovery, it’s easy to slip into autopilot. Life gets busy, routines return, and without regular reflection, it’s possible to lose sight of why you started.
Take time to reflect on your “why.” For some, it’s getting off medications. For others, it’s keeping up with young children or simply feeling confident in a swimsuit for the first time in years. One patient, James, kept a photo of himself struggling to tie his shoes next to his bathroom mirror — not as a source of shame, but as a reminder of how far he had come and why he was committed to staying the course.
Surgery gives your body a head start, but your daily habits carry you to the finish line.
At New Me, we like to compare surgery to planting a garden. The procedure is like tilling the soil and planting seeds. Still, it's your daily habits — eating well, moving often, sleeping enough, and managing stress — that water and nurture your new life.
Rushed meals are the enemy of success. Chew slowly, avoid distractions, and tune in to when you feel comfortably full, which happens much faster now. Patients often find it helpful to use a small plate and put their fork down between bites.
Your new stomach holds very little, so every bite matters. Prioritise lean protein — think chicken, tofu, eggs, fish — to help preserve muscle, especially as you lose weight rapidly. According to the ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery), post-op patients should aim for 60–80 grams of protein per day, depending on individual needs.
Aim for at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water daily. Dehydration is one of the leading reasons for readmission after surgery. Set reminders if needed, and keep a water bottle with you throughout the day.
You don't need to run marathons (unless you want to!). Start with daily walks, then build up to activities that bring you joy, such as dancing, yoga, swimming, or even gardening. One patient, Helen, discovered a love for Pilates at the age of 60 and says it has been key to her improved posture and core strength.
Lack of sleep increases ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and reduces leptin (the fullness hormone). It also makes it harder to resist cravings. Good sleep hygiene — regular bedtimes, a dark room, no screens before bed — helps reset your body for success.
Weight loss can be a lonely road, but it doesn't have to be. Connection is one of the most underrated tools for lasting change.
Join support groups, either in person or online. New Me has an online community that motivates and encourages one another. The camaraderie is real — many patients say these groups are just as valuable as their surgical follow-ups.
Ask a trusted friend or family member to be your "accountability partner." This doesn't mean they need to monitor your food or exercise, but check in emotionally, especially on tough days.
There’s no shame in working with a psychologist, especially if food has historically been used as a coping mechanism. Many patients uncover old patterns — emotional eating, binge cycles, food guilt — that resurface even after surgery. Therapy can be transformative.
Sometimes family and friends struggle to understand your new needs. You may face questions like "Why can't you eat just a little cake?" or "You look fine, why keep losing weight?" Educate them gently. Share what you're learning. The more they know, the more they can be supportive.
It’s tempting to define success by the number on the scale, but weight is just one metric. Success might look like:
And sometimes, success means facing setbacks — and getting back up anyway.
One patient, Adam, regained 8 kg a year after his surgery during a stressful divorce. Instead of giving up, he reconnected with his dietitian, rejoined the New Me support group, and started strength training. Today, he’s lost those 8 kg and more — but more importantly, he feels stronger mentally.
“Setbacks don’t erase your progress,” he said. “They’re just part of the journey.”
You’ve taken an extraordinary step. And you’re not alone.
As a patient of New Me, you have a team beside you — surgeons, dietitians, psychologists, nurses, and admin staff — all dedicated to helping you thrive. But most of all, you have yourself. The version of you that chose this path. The version of you that deserves health, happiness, and self-respect.
Keep going. Keep growing. This is your New Me journey — and it’s just beginning.
For personalised support, ongoing resources, and connection with others on the same path, visit us at www.newmesurgery.com.au or speak to our New Me team.
Your future is waiting — strong, confident, and full of possibility.
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