The Strong Connection Between Bariatric Surgery and Support
June 30, 2017I regularly remind my patients that weight loss surgery is a tool, an important tool, but only one piece of many changes needed to affect true and sustainable weight loss. Bariatric surgery and support from your surgeon and team is what makes your surgery even more effective.
For men and women who are obese and have significant health problems stemming from the disease of obesity, my goal as a surgeon is to put into place a physical and behavioral solution to achieve a healthier weight and a higher quality of life. However, the work in getting to this place rests with each patient making the decision for a better, healthier life.
As we’ve built our program over the last 14 years, we have spent a significant amount of time building the tools to support weight loss before, during and after the surgery. As any bariatric patient knows, weight loss surgery is a significant commitment. Typically it requires a three to six-month workup of medical evaluations, dietary counseling and psychological support to ensure that the patient is healthy enough for the surgery.
Weight loss is truly a journey. You start with making the decision to have surgery and maybe never quite get to an “end” in the traditional sense.
Most patients continue with lifelong learning such as how to manage a family holiday or a night out with your girlfriends or loved ones, how to shop for food and order at a restaurant, how to identify triggers that sabotage weight loss or maintenance. The list goes on and on. These are all lessons that are not part of the pre-surgical list of requirements but instead the support that that is needed to keep weight loss surgery patients successful.
When you have your weight loss surgery, you have the physical tool in place. From there, it is important that you use other tools that will optimize your surgery. Support is key.
Powerful Connection Between Bariatric Surgery and Support
Support From Pre-Op To Post-Op From Your Surgical Team
For those starting the journey, I encourage you to look not only at a program’s surgical capabilities and Center of Excellence Status but also look closely at how you will be supported before, during and after surgery. A successful weight loss program should establish a long-term relationship with you and be your true partner through surgery and beyond.
Multi-Disciplinary Team For Your Support
Does the Center have a “Support Network”? It is important to find out if a bariatric center has a support network. A well-rounded support network should include dieticians, nurse practitioners, office staff and more.
Support Group That Meets Regularly
Does the Center have regular support group meetings? Consistent and regular support group meetings are designed to engage those interested in specific topics such as managing the holidays or sharing recipes. These support groups are often helpful for our pre-surgical patients as they get a sense of the community that is built around weight loss surgery.
Specialized Support For You Long-Term
Does the Center have specialized support? You might want to check and see if your Center has specialized support in the areas of a back on track program (we have a separate specialty program in addition to our support groups), food addiction, relapse and recovery, behavioral health support.
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nicole Pecquex, MD, is a board-certified surgeon and the director of bariatric surgery at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center. She has completed an advanced laparoscopic fellowship training and has performed more than 500 gastric bypass and Lap band surgery procedures combined. Pecquex has been a member of St. Elizabeth's surgical staff since 2004. |
