Psychological counseling is essential for any weight-loss surgery to be effective. Did you know that individuals with the greatest success are those with the strongest support systems? This life changing event cannot be done alone. A caring, experienced therapist can play an important role in your achieving weight-loss success.
In addition to the stresses of behavioral and lifestyle changes, there are emotions and adjustments to body image, clothing and social interactions. All of these need to be processed in a safe environment. Additionally, counseling can address the reasons behind the original weight gain. Excessive eating can be a symptom of difficulty with impulse control and/or dealing with emotions such as sadness, loneliness, anxiety, joy, boredom, etc. Whatever caused your overeating in the past can’t be surgically removed. It can, however, be uncovered, understood and processed though counseling. If you don’t address these psychological issues, you may be unable to maintain the necessary behavioral changes for surgical weight-loss success. Or, unhealthy eating may be replaced with another negative habit.
If you’re thinking about or had weight-loss surgery, consider seeking psychological counseling. The investment in money, time, and emotions will be well worth it.
Should you admit to having weight-loss surgery? Is it something you can or should keep a secret; is it even possible to hide? Not everyone feels comfortable telling others about such a personal decision. Others may not want to be made vulnerable to possible teasing or negative comments.
Choosing to keep your decision private, however, has risks. Limited disclosure or secrecy might hinder the development of strong social support that can be critical in achieving success after surgery. Keep in mind that bariatric surgery requires lifestyle changes that work best in an environment of support from family and friends.
My question to those who want to keep their weight-loss surgery decision private: How will you explain your weight loss? People will ask about it. And, the public is quite aware of the existence of weight-loss surgery. When you don’t admit to having the surgery, and you’re rapidly losing weight, they’ll realize you’re not being honest. Why create trouble with others by being dishonest?
If you don’t want people to know, simply say, “I’m sorry, but it’s rather private and I’m just not comfortable talking about it.”
I’ve had some time to think about it and now realize that living as an obese person was like being imprisoned for life. Since my weight-loss surgery, I feel like I’ve been released from the shackles of my former life and am free to enjoy life’s pleasures. I missed so much of life when I was obese. There were so many things that I couldn’t do or didn’t want to do.
Right now, my weight-loss is at a plateau, which is OK with me. I’m pretty happy with where I am with my weight. I’m concentrating on toning my body rather than on losing weight. I started a routine to walk or bicycle for 20 minutes each day and follow that with weight training. No trainer needed; I’m doing it on my own.
I continue to look forward to more wonderful changes in my body and in my life.
It‘s important to make exercise an important part of your daily routine. If you’re really determined, you’ll find time each day to engage in exercise because it can improve your overall sense of well-being and your health. Exercise should become an automatic part of your daily routine for a number of reasons.
First, there’s a physical benefit to daily exercise. It helps you to get toned, fit and lose excess weight. Secondly, daily exercise has a calming effect. Most people are stressed during the course of their daily lives and exercise calms the body and mind. It replaces the stress with a relaxing event.
Thirdly, exercise has medical benefits. It reduces the risk of heart disease and can improve respiratory problems and other conditions.
It‘s important to start with slow and gentle exercises until your body becomes accustomed to the added activity.
Learn to view exercise as pleasurable and something to look forward to. You’ll benefit both physically and mentally.