The Importance of Counseling After Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is the most successful treatment available for obesity and weight loss surgery is most successful when accompanied by professional counseling. Many people who suffer from obesity use food to self-medicate, so it’s crucial for patients to understand the mental aspect of obesity and how to stay mentally healthy as well as physically healthy after bariatric surgery.
Treat Counseling as Post Op Care
As patients prepare to undergo the surgical aspects of this life-changing process, they should also plan on regular visits to a therapist or counselor. The response to a smaller stomach is less food intake; if food has been used as a way to handle difficult or negative emotions, patients will need help navigating how to handle those issues without relying on food. Counseling can help patients find other ways to handle complex emotions that they would otherwise try and manage with food.
Counseling is an important part of the post-surgical process, and it can help your weight loss journey be more successful. Counseling can improve attitude, boost self-esteem, and help patients recognize the psychological side of their weight loss goals.
Other Benefits of Counseling After Bariatric Surgery
Any major lifestyle change can cause stress and being apprehensive about a dramatic shift is perfectly understandable. Some patients gain confidence after surgery while others may worry about the adjustments needed to make their surgery effective. It is crucial that patients have the assistance of a professional counselor in order to appropriately address fears, insecurities, traumas and other obstacles that might stand in the way of their success. For people who are comfortable and excited about what lies ahead as well as those who are apprehensive, counseling can help ensure a more successful transition.
Other benefits to counseling after bariatric surgery include:
- The chance to address self-image issues. Many people struggle with eating disorders and unhealthy weight due to low self-esteem and different types of dysmorphia. Counseling can help address these issues and potentially introduce patients to cognitive behavioral therapy or psychiatric treatment.
- Relationship or family counseling. Obesity and related health issues can easily strain marriages, partnerships, and the relationships between parents and their children.
- Ongoing support. Many start post-bariatric surgery lifestyles with enthusiasm but are not prepared for the psychological issues that accompany the process. Counseling can help keep patients focused on recovery and adapting to a new lifestyle.
- Improved rest. Counseling can help identify issues with sleep that may interfere with bariatric surgery recovery. Speaking with a counselor or therapist about the psychological aspects of bariatric surgery and recovery can provide peace of mind and enable better sleep in some cases. Counseling can also help identify sleep disorders that may contribute to unhealthy lifestyles.
Malladi Bariatrics and Advanced Surgery offers a full range of bariatric surgical procedures and medical care, including specialized treatment for obesity, metabolic disorders, and dietary counseling. We believe in addressing our patient’s physical issues as well as their psychological needs and strongly believe in the effectiveness of counseling after bariatric surgery.
Our multidisciplinary treatment philosophy exists to empower our patients to create healthier lifestyles after surgery. Contact Malladi Bariatrics and Advanced Surgery for more information about our providers or questions about post-bariatric surgery counseling.
