Presented by Wendy Rawlings MS LMHC I Can Do This Can t I?

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1 Presented by Wendy Rawlings MS LMHC I Can Do This Can t I?

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3 Your Reason For Weight Loss Surgery What s your goal?

4 The Two Predictors of Success On a scale of 1-10 How much do I BELIEVE I can reach this goal? On a scale of 1-10, How MOTIVATED am I to reach this goal?

5 Common Pre-Bariatric Surgery Psychological Symptoms About 40% of pre-operative bariatric patients have a current mood disorder diagnosis About 60% have a lifetime mood disorder diagnosis Depression and anxiety are the most common mood disorders present prior to bariatric surgery Eating disorders are also common in bariatric patients, usually binge and emotional eating Night eating is present in 27% of bariatric patient Low self-esteem, body image issues and a low healthrelated quality of life are also common

6 Common Psychological Improvements Following Bariatric Surgery Improvement in general quality of life as comorbidities resolve, usually in the first year after surgery Overall improvement is depression, self-esteem, healthrelated quality of life and improved body image as the patient feels more in control of themselves The patient becomes more active and social which also can relieve anxiety and depression symptoms Relationships often improve Decline in unhealthy eating habits, especially in the first 3-6 months post-surgery Decline in the use of medication to treat mood disorders

7 Common Psychological Concerns Following Bariatric Surgery Guilt or shame for having the surgery (took the easy way out)

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9 Common Psychological Concerns Following Bariatric Surgery Guilt or shame for having the surgery (took the easy way out) Depression or anxiety if there are regrets about having the surgery Excessive skin can create more body issues Worries about not dropping weight fast enough or won t reach goal weight Anxiety or depression due to fear of regaining weight Feeling obsessed about food and weight

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11 The Top Five Reasons We Go Off Plan Entitlement (I should be able to eat what I want with no consequences) The flip side is deprivation (I have been deprived all my life and I want what I want) Motivation (I m so tired of the Plan, I m going to eat normally just this once and then go right back on plan) Fear (What if I fail? If I don t try, it won t hurt so bad. What if I succeed? Can I handle it? What if I do it wrong? What if the surgery goes wrong?) And we talk ourselves out of success. Safety and Protection (Extra weight keeps people from getting too close to me/hitting on me) Power (NO ONE is going to tell me what to eat, drink, etc. I ll show them and me who s boss!)

12 Ways to Address These Concerns Remember, It s Just a Tool. The first year will be easy, develop habits that will change your life in that first year Recovery from a food addiction or dependency will take 5 years, plan for it Explore your new identity with curiosity and excitement Notice your sabotage patterns and confront them. Be appreciative not judgmental--of your body s changes and look at it as a journey

13 At some point in our lives, we may have attached to food or another non-human thing because people were either unavailable or unsafe

14 Connect With People, Not Food Re-establishing human connection is what we are wired to do and will help us get through the cravings and lifestyle adjustments we make to be successful

15 Community Groups Family Friends Church Groups

16 Connect With People, Not Food Re-establishing human connection is what we are wired to do and will help us get through the cravings and lifestyle adjustments we make to be successful Attend bariatric support groups, recovery groups, church and community groups Go to therapy, at least for a few times. Studies show In hindsight, a majority of bariatric patients felt psychological support was needed to better equip them for the changes experienced after weight loss surgery, irrespective of positive weight loss progress

17 Staying on Track Strategies Water Pre-tracking Supplements Getting up and moving Getting enough protein Eating only at the table Using the other hand to feed yourself Journaling Your Ideas

18 Questions?

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