Are you ready to handle the emotional and physical changes that come with bariatric surgery?
Have you had the surgery and you're already slipping into old behaviors?
Need a tune-up on motivation?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, psychotherapy or life coaching can be the difference between reaching your ultimate health goals and regaining the weight you worked so hard to lose.
Research has shown nearly two-thirds of patients are not compliant with their nutritional regimens, often due to a strong history of destructive eating habits, poor body image and mood disorders.
While the mental health of most patients does improve after surgery, it is usual transient and is often cited as the reason nearly two-thirds of bariatric patients are non-compliant with their diet and exercise and return to old destructive patterns. The role of therapy and coaching in the recovery process has never been more validated.
We offer face to face therapy services for those in the central Maryland area. For those outside the area we offer bariatric life coaching by telephone.
To learn more about our services and receive our e-newsletter, click here.
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We have therapy groups for those preparing for surgery and/or are less than a year out from surgery as well as for those who are over a year out from surgery for those in the Central Maryland area that meet weekly.
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Why else are therapy and coaching so important before and after bariatric surgery?
For nearly five percent of those who have bariatric surgery, the addiction to food does not go away and can lead to poor outcomes after surgery. Some may do well for a while and then relapse with their food addiction and regain some or all the weight.
For many, food is used to fill some void felt as a result of poor relationships or unfulfilled goals. It can be the result of anxiety or depression. It can also be chemical in nature, no different than alcohol or drug addiction. Some transfer their addictive behavior from food to alcohol, drugs, sexual promiscuity, gambling and compulsive shopping. What once may have been a reward for losing weight can become another destructive habit.
In addition, eating disorder behavior has been documented after bariatric surgery, especially for those whose weight plateaus at some stage. Fear of weight gain can lead to anorexia, bulimia and compulsive exercising.
When physical and emotional trauma is part of a patient’s past, their excessive weight may act as a barrier from their tormentors. As the weight comes off, so does that emotional and physical protection. For this person, dealing with the psychological trauma is vital to be sure the feelings of insecurity and victimization don't resurface and lead to new addictive, risky or self-destructive behavior.
Also, the change in one's body can disrupt relationships built around old food, exercise and self-esteem patterns. A husband may see his wife becoming more attractive and become possessive and jealous as a result. A child who is overweight may become sullen or depressed when they compare themselves to their newly svelte parent. And friendships that were built on an obese person's low self-esteem may no longer be compatible with their improved confidence level and healthy lifestyle, leading to increased isolation and loneliness.
And what about all this new attention? It can lead to changed expectations romantically and sexually, which is frightening enough on its own! Also, people report higher expectations in productivity at work, which can be anxiety provoking to someone unaccustomed to the pace or benchmarks now requested.
For these and many other reasons, therapy can help a patient achieve their goals in weight loss, development of healthy behaviors, and life plans.
Increase your self-esteem, develop the relationships you want, excel professionally, and learn to be happy and healthy at any size.
Call (443) 602-6515 or email info@thebodyimagecenter.com for more information or to discuss how we can be of help.
