Guest blog by: Lillian Craggs-Dino, DHA, RDN, LDN, FASMBS-IH Aside from losing weight, ask yourself—why did you choose to have bariatric surgery? Was your decision driven by health concerns? Were you tired of taking medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol? Were you afraid your diabetes could progress and lead to further complications? Did you worry that high blood pressure might cause a stroke or kidney damage? Were you concerned that high cholesterol could lead to heart disease or a heart attack? And if you didn’t have any of these conditions, was your goal simply to lose weight—or was it also to reduce your risk of developing serious, weight-related health issues in the future? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then it's time to take the next step: tracking your health-related numbers. Following the bariatric diet, taking supplements, exercising, and self-monitoring are essential—but they’re only part of the picture. Long-term success also depends on regular wellness checkups, follow-up visits with your bariatric team and primary care provider, and ongoing lab work to monitor key health markers. In this blog, we explore why tracking your numbers is so important after surgery, which ones matter most, and how staying informed can help you live a longer, healthier life. The Power of Self-Monitoring Self-monitoring allows you to set new goals, revisit and adjust current goals, and make strategic changes that support a healthy quality of life. After surgery, be sure you’re keeping track of key health indicators, including: Blood pressure A1c (blood sugar) Cholesterol Weight and body composition (including body fat %, waist measurement, and waist-to-hip ratio) Also, don’t forget the importance of regular lab work to monitor nutrients that may become deficient after surgery. These include: Vitamin B12 Vitamin B1 (thiamine) Folic acid Vitamin D Iron Calcium Even with a healthy diet, all bariatric surgery types require lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation. This is due to reduced food intake, changes in food choices, and the nature of the surgical procedure. Know Your Numbers: Target Health Goals Below is a guide to help you understand healthy targets for key health parameters. Always review your results with your healthcare provider and follow your bariatric program’s specific guidelines. Health Parameter Target Goal (normal levels) Blood pressure Salt intake Less than 120/80 mmHg No more than 1,500mg per day A1c Natural sugar Below 5.7% No more than 15-25 grams per day Total cholesterol Total fat intake Saturated fat intake Less than 200 mg/dL 30% total daily calories No more than 10% of total daily calories LDL (bad cholesterol) Less than 100 mg/dL HDL (good cholesterol) Greater than 50 mg/dL Triglycerides Less than 100 mg/dL Body fat % (ages 41-60) Male: 11-22% Female: 23-35% Waist measurement Male: < 40 inches Female: < 35 inches Hip-to-waist ratio Male: < 0.90 Female: < 0.80 Vitamin B12 Within normal lab range* Vitamin B1 Within normal lab range* Folic acid Within normal lab range* Vitamin D Within normal lab range* Calcium Within normal lab range* Iron Within normal lab range* *Note: Normal ranges for nutrients vary by lab. Always review lab results with your healthcare provider. This list is not all-inclusive. Be sure to follow your bariatric program’s complete recommendations for ongoing lab work and checkups. Bottom Line Bariatric surgery is a life-changing tool—but maintaining the health improvements you’ve worked so hard for takes ongoing effort and awareness. You’re not alone in this journey. Surround yourself with a support system that includes family, friends, your dietitian, your surgeon, and your primary care provider. Together, you can stay on track, monitor your numbers, and keep moving toward a healthier, more empowered life.