Bariatric surgery will change your life in many ways beyond your diet and exercise habits. Losing weight will have a significant impact on your mental and emotional state. Your thoughts and feelings may be some of the most difficult obstacles between you and your goal weight, but preparing yourself for these challenges can help you overcome them.
This section of the guide will help you cope with some of the most common psychological issues after weight loss surgery. Though the drastic changes of weight loss surgery can leave you feeling lost in complex emotions, there are many ways to promote psychological wellness as you lose weight. Dr. Taylor can help you find the best ways to cope with psychological problems and improve your mental health, so don’t hesitate to ask him for guidance.
Insecurity, anxiety, depression—these issues and others may develop or persist as you leave behind the life you led before weight loss surgery. Struggling with such issues can make every step of your weight loss journey much more difficult and cause emotional overeating that slows your progress. However, the negative emotions you experience are a normal part of adjusting to your life after weight loss surgery and can be dealt with in a healthy and productive way.
Support and encouragement can come from many places, but weight loss surgery support groups give you the chance to share your experiences and problems with those who understand what you’re going through. Support groups are filled with others who have had weight loss surgery and may be able to offer valuable strategies to overcome your problems. They can also be an excellent place to meet supportive peers and develop healthy new friendships.
Suggested Reading
Long-Term Success with Weight Loss
Setting Realistic Goals After Surgery
Setting Goals for Weight Loss
Also In This Section
- Deep Breathing for Stress-Free Weight Loss
- Be Optimistic about Weight Loss Surgery
- The Wonders of Weight Loss Goals
- Your Weight Loss Surgery Mantra
- Putting an End to a Bad Day
- Lose Weight, Give Back
- Yoga Hiking: Inner Peace, Outer Beauty, All-Around Workout
- Keep Your Friends Close and Your Best Friends Closer
- Think—Don’t Trick—Yourself Healthy
- Finding Inner Peace in a Busy World
- Brain Gain! Weight Loss Surgery Boosts Cognitive Function
- Does This Brain Make Me Look Thin?
- Stop Overeating by Being Mindful
- Losing Weight Will Rock your World
- Tips for Soulful Living
- Common Link between Obesity and Depression
- Bipolar Disorder and Weight Loss Surgery
- Treat Your Mind and Your Weight
