Emotional Ups and Downs Go Along with Weight-Loss Surgery
Weight-loss surgery can have a dramatic impact on the body and overall health. It can, however, also produce an emotional rollercoaster ride for those who undergo this type of procedure. As pounds are shed and life changes as a result, those who have surgery may find themselves needing a fair amount of emotional support.
Since weight-loss surgery has such profound effects, many medical professionals strongly recommend counseling both before and after a procedure is performed. For some patients, the need for counseling and support can remain for years to come with good reasons: weight-loss surgery can, indeed, be life changing.
Some of the reasons why emotional ups and downs coincide with bariatric surgery include:
• The initial shock – Even those who are profoundly convinced that weightloss surgery may be their best option to shed pounds and keep them off may have trouble coming to terms that a procedure is needed. The “moment of truth,” as some call it, can come with an emotional price. Working through the realization and approaching surgery with a healthy mindset may call for some support.
• The necessary changes – Once weight loss surgery is performed, people find they have to alter their lifestyles rather dramatically to support healthy recovery, weight loss and maintenance. This adjustment periods tends to call for a great deal of support from not only medical professionals, but also family and friends.
• The ongoing changes – Weight loss surgery can get rid of the pounds, but the cosmetic effects may not always be what patients anticipated. As the body shape changes and pounds are shed, patients may find themselves dealing with sagging skin and other issues. They may also find the attitudes of people around them change. All of this adds up to a need for support.
• Psychological ramifications – Some people who undergo surgery may find they suffer psychiatric problems after the fact. Alcohol abuse, depression and eating disorders are not unheard of. They are rare, however.
Weight loss surgery can have tremendous impacts on a person’s life in a very positive way. Adjusting to the changes, however, demands ongoing support to keep the emotional roller coaster ride at a minimum.
Since weight-loss surgery has such profound effects, many medical professionals strongly recommend counseling both before and after a procedure is performed. For some patients, the need for counseling and support can remain for years to come with good reasons: weight-loss surgery can, indeed, be life changing.
Some of the reasons why emotional ups and downs coincide with bariatric surgery include:
• The initial shock – Even those who are profoundly convinced that weightloss surgery may be their best option to shed pounds and keep them off may have trouble coming to terms that a procedure is needed. The “moment of truth,” as some call it, can come with an emotional price. Working through the realization and approaching surgery with a healthy mindset may call for some support.
• The necessary changes – Once weight loss surgery is performed, people find they have to alter their lifestyles rather dramatically to support healthy recovery, weight loss and maintenance. This adjustment periods tends to call for a great deal of support from not only medical professionals, but also family and friends.
• The ongoing changes – Weight loss surgery can get rid of the pounds, but the cosmetic effects may not always be what patients anticipated. As the body shape changes and pounds are shed, patients may find themselves dealing with sagging skin and other issues. They may also find the attitudes of people around them change. All of this adds up to a need for support.
• Psychological ramifications – Some people who undergo surgery may find they suffer psychiatric problems after the fact. Alcohol abuse, depression and eating disorders are not unheard of. They are rare, however.
Weight loss surgery can have tremendous impacts on a person’s life in a very positive way. Adjusting to the changes, however, demands ongoing support to keep the emotional roller coaster ride at a minimum.
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