At some point, we’ve all felt the need to eat better or hit the gym. When we finally make the step of going to the grocery store to buy all the healthy stuff we should have been eating or joining a gym, we’re full of gusto and a “can-do” attitude. After a day or two, maybe we sneak in a bowl of ice cream or skip leg day.
After a few weeks, we’re right back to buying frozen pizzas or spending our free time in front of the tv or on the phone. Then maybe we start back up in another month or two. It’s not the best way to lose weight. In fact, it’s one of the worst ways to lose fat!
Let’s face it: There is no one way to effectively lose weight and keep it off. You can decide to improve your diet but ignore working out. You certainly won’t gain weight, but the pounds eventually stop falling off. Going to the gym all the time but still eating nachos and drinking beer? It’s better than doing nothing, but your lifestyle is working against itself.
Proven Results
For those that are morbidly obese, however, neither option is terribly viable. Either their lifestyle is not conducive to losing weight or injuries or other physical limitations hamper workout efforts. In this case, a program that revolves around bariatric surgery, diet, and exercise has been proven to be the best way to lose up to 80 percent of the unwanted fat.
For many, this means a complete change in lifestyle. Weight loss surgery, including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, duodenal switch, and more, is just one part of the equation. It also involves a very specific, strict diet in the following months to make sure the patient is continuing to change their lifestyle.
This is a lifelong journey – the surgery is just the first step. Certain foods are now off-limits, stress-eating when upset or falling off the wagon at parties are no longer options. The hormone levels in the body begin to change the physical aspects of the patient, but there are psychological facets that will need to be addressed.
Unfortunately, much of this stress is caused by others. Little comments about “taking the easy way out” don’t really address the full lifestyle change that a patient goes through. Some friends may not like the “new you” and may make the patient feel bad for “leaving them behind.”
And triggers that may have caused binge eating in the past will still be there. All of this combined can lead patients to feel great one moment, only to have that confidence torn apart the next. And no longer being able to eat the foods you once did, even in moderation, can really hit the psyche at all the wrong times.
With such a massive change, all of that is somewhat expected. Bariatric surgery, and a complete change in personality, is NOT easy. Having to potentially leave a life-long friend behind is NOT easy. Coming to grips with past decisions that led you to make this decision is NOT easy.
Your Own Personal Cheerleader
WeightWise has been in the health care field long enough to understand how difficult it can be to change lifestyles seemingly overnight. That’s why our program has been designed to get the patient in the right frame of mind before the process begins.
Initial consultations cover what the patient can expect in the days, weeks, and months after surgery. This is an ideal time for the patient to ask questions as well as for the surgeon to learn more about the patient. Past injuries, dramatic family moments, and other factors from earlier in life may have played a part in unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Even with all of this prep time, when diets, physical activity, and other aspects of the program are discussed, it can still be a very difficult time for many. That’s why WeightWise assigns every patient with an advocate prior to surgery as well as post-surgery to provide a shoulder to lean on.
We like to think of our patient advocates as Personal Cheerleaders because they are in place to help root you on to a healthier and more fulfilling life. The mental health of a patient is just as important as physical health after a bariatric procedure.
These advocates will suggest support groups, provide help with insurance questions, or offer a quick pep talk – almost anything a patient needs to keep on fighting. We want you to be as successful as possible as much as you do! These advocates go a long way toward reaching your goals.
Other Support Personnel
We employ a full staff to help our patients reach their long-term goals. It’s been proven: No other method is as successful as weight loss surgery plus a change in diet and activity. That’s why we employ dietitians and exercise physiologists to develop personalized plans for every patient.
Bariatric patients, as well as non-surgical patients, all receive the same care from WeightWise. Diet plans, exercise programs, and other post-op support such as patient advocates are just part of our program. Instead of going to a surgeon, a nutritionist, and a personal trainer in three different places, you’ll find everything you need at one location with us.
Interested in learning more about possible mood swings after gastric sleeve, duodenal switch, or gastric bypass surgery? Watch our free online seminar to see why our patients are so successful or contact us to set up a consultation. If you, friends, or family members are concerned about your body weight or lifestyle, we’re ready to listen.