So, You've Had Weight Loss Surgery: The Mental Aspect

You've had weight loss surgery and your whole life seems changed, but you can't really see any difference yet. Don't let the mind games start. Here's some tips to help.

Mental Adjustments
This is tough. You've had weight loss surgery and everything feels different. You can't eat much and your digestive tract is in an uproar. Are you skinny yet? Nope. Even with rapid weight loss, which you will experience with weight loss surgery, the results are not visible overnight. For a morbidly obese person, a fifty pound loss after weight loss surgery might be barely noticeable. Even worse, you are still wearing the same clothes! Yikes! That's because there's a big fluctuation in plus sizes, which can easily accommodate a twenty pound range. Add spandex and double that. It can make you want to jump off the nearest bridge. This really is the hardest part of recovering from weight loss surgery. Be patient and wear your old clothes as long as you can. When those are falling off you, go to the thrift shops and try things on. You don't want to invest much in new clothes yet. This is all part of the process of adjusting to weight loss surgery.

Stay Off the Scale
Why, oh why do we think the numbers tell it all? Numbers - particularly those on a scale - can make or break our day. That was true when we were morbidly obese and it is still true now after weight loss surgery. Do yourself a favor and only weigh occasionally. Once a week at most - once a month at best. Weight loss doesn't happen in a linear fashion straight down the scale even after weight loss surgery. Our bodies are unique and complex. Spare yourself the daily grief of unrealistic expectations that even weight loss surgery cannot address. Weigh once a month and rejoice in your progress.

Long Term Weight Loss
Your body will adjust based on your basic metabolism and the habits you have adopted since weight loss surgery. Don't measure yourself against others. You are individual and so is your weight loss surgery experience. All you can do is comply with the restrictions to eat your protein, take your supplements and get your fluids in. After 12 to 18 months, you will likely weigh 100 or more pounds less than before you had weight loss surgery. Remember back to when you had no control over your weight at all and the only thing you did was gain. Be grateful to be out of that prison of morbid obesity.

Feedback from Others
Take what people say with a grain of salt. They are bound to make some thoughtless comments over your changing appearance after weight loss surgery. You do not need to tell people how much you've lost or anything else unless you want to.

Seek Support
Most weight loss surgeons sponsor support groups for their patients. Attend the meetings and talk to others who are going through what you are with your weight loss surgery. Check out on line forums for more information and support. With an on line group you can post your thoughts day or night and have someone to talk to. Obesityhelp.com is a good place to start.

The mental adjustment to losing a large amount of weight after weight loss surgery is every bit as important as the physical adjustments. Your body and your self image will change dramatically in a year's time. Be kind to yourself and enjoy the new you.

ObesityHelp.com: Making the Journey Together
Daniel DeNoon, "Weight Loss Surgery Makes Life Better for Obese", MedicineNet.com