Weight Loss Surgery: An Emotional Journey

June 4th, 2009

Your bariatric surgery success is largely determined by your commitment, willingness to make long-term changes in your lifestyle, and using your surgery as a helpful tool on your journey. The better you understand yourself – your trigger points, needs and how you handle stress – the better you are likely to do. Mary Ziller, L.C.S.W. , a licensed clinical social worker and cognitive behavioral therapist who has been working with LAP-BAND® patients since 1999, explains why understanding and working with your emotions is critical to successful weight loss surgery results.

“Weight loss surgery is a great tool to assist you with your eating, serve as a barometer, and help you identify your feelings,” Mary says, “But it is not an easy way out – you can’t check your body at the door when you have surgery. Your trigger points and behaviors stay with you afterwards, so to be successful you really have to learn who you are and how to manage your stress.”

During the first few months after surgery, adjustable gastric banding patients may have a different emotional experience than gastric bypass patients. Initially, LAP-BAND® patients tend to be more proactive because of the follow-up requirements and the need to find that “sweet spot” through band adjustments, where they are eating just enough to feel satisfied and lose weight. After the “honeymoon” period of newness and excitement, however, some patients start feeling deprived and struggling with emotional triggers that cause overeating. With the gastric bypass, it is difficult to overeat initially because of the malabsorptive component of the procedure, but weight re-gain may occur several years after surgery. If emotional issues are not addressed sooner or later, maintaining weight loss after bariatric surgery may become a struggle.

“One of the top three reasons for weight gain after bariatric surgery is that patients are uncomfortable being thin. If you have never been thin, you don’t know what it’s like to be thin,” Mary says.” The other reason is that patients can’t manage their emotional issues and drive to overeat.” This is why it is so important to learn as much as possible about yourself and your emotions, starting right now.

A professional counselor or social worker, as well as other patients, can help you in this process. Studies and years of weight loss surgery experience demonstrate that the more support bariatric patients receive, the more successful they are. You can:

• Attend St. Vincent’s Medical Center weight loss surgery support groups where patients share their experiences, setbacks, and success strategies with each other;
• Choose a “buddy” who can encourage you, demonstrate positive behavior, or talk to you;
• Schedule individual counseling sessions available through St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

Bariatric surgery is a great tool to help you lose weight and keep it off, but it’s what you do after surgery that matters. You can start by listening to your body, understanding yourself, your emotional triggers and needs, and asking us how we can help you get the support you need. Stay tuned for our discussions about the importance of thinking positive, getting to know yourself, and behavior modification tips in the next few weeks.

Entry Filed under: Lap Band, Obesity Today, Realize Band, gastric bypass