How To Mentally Prepare For Bariatric Surgery

Published April 23, 2022 by Carlos Barba

No matter what type of surgery a person has, their body must be as healthy as possible to achieve a successful outcome. The same is always true for the mental preparation of any surgery, but with bariatric surgery it may be more important than the physical. Let’s look at how to mentally prepare for bariatric surgery and why it’s so important.

Don’t Expect Instant Gratification

Bariatric surgery is not a magic bullet that will make you slim overnight. We are all used to instant gratification, but the surgery is just the start on your road to becoming thinner thanks to your smaller stomach.

How much weight you will ultimately lose is based on which type of surgery you have, plus your own attitude and having realistic expectations. It will take 6 months to achieve the loss of half your excess weight. Then it may take another full year to reach your ultimate goal. It will be a slow but steady process so enjoy each milestone, so don’t get discouraged.

Take Advantage Of Support From Others

Find someone you trust to help you along your journey to weight loss. They can assist with goal setting, staying motivated, and will help you celebrate as you reach each each goal.

Dr. Barba can also assist you, as well as your bariatric surgical team.

It Helps To Do Your Due Diligence

Be proactive and find out as much as you can about bariatric surgery. Look for online seminars about the surgery. Find a virtual support group before you have surgery and plan to stay in touch afterward.

Be aware of all the resources available to keep you on track after surgery and get you to your healthy goal weight. It’s important to take control.

Recognize Any Food Addictions

Seek out a mental health specialist to discuss how food affects your life. Recognizing how you use food in your life is key. For example, if you have always relied on food to relieve stress, you will need to find alternatives.

Consider any other addictions you may have before surgery. Alcohol, sweets, and tobacco are all enticements that can sabotage your weight loss as well as affect your physical health. It is essential to reach a point where you want to make a change and do what it takes to achieve your goal.

Some other ways to be mentally prepared include the following:

• Seek help immediately if you begin to slide into depression. When the process reaches a plateau after about 6 months,  be prepared.
• Think about all the ways losing weight will help you be a healthier person. Remission of type2 diabetes, improved blood pressure and cardiovascular health, reduced joint pain, improved outlook on life, and elimination of sleep apnea will be the results of your hard work and weight loss.
• Work with Dr. Barba to find the weight plan for you. It takes some of the pressure off.
• Don’t try to do too much too fast after surgery. As you gain more energy, add in longer exercise times and increase strength training.

Categories: weight loss surgery