With an increased rate of Obesity in our society today, we are finding an increase in medical problems caused and exacerbated by this physical state. For many, traditional methods of weight loss have proven ineffective for achieving and maintaining significant weight loss. Bariatric surgery as a tool, offers patients the opportunity to experience significant weight loss that can be maintained.
The number of obese patients seeking bariatric surgery is steadily rising. Unlike traditional diets for which risks are low and discontinuation can occur at any time, bariatric surgery has risks and requires highly restrictive, long-term behavioural changes afterwards. Therefore, these patients typically are required to complete a thorough evaluation, including psychological assessment, to determine their appropriateness for surgery.
We find that most patients are hesitant and uncomfortable with the thought of seeing a psychologist prior to surgery, although the information discussed during the clinical interview is critical not only for assessing their appropriateness for surgery but also for enhancing their success during the post-surgery adjustment.
Many patients report, after the assessment, how valuable it was for them to examine the issues raised. The core parts of the clinical interview include reasons for seeking surgery, weight and diet history, current eating behaviours, understanding of the surgery and its associated lifestyle changes, social supports and history, and psychiatric symptoms (current and past).
Why is it so important to see a psychologist prior to Bariatric surgery?
Our main aim is to ensure our patients are ready for surgery. We want to support our patients to ensure they succeed in losing excess body weight, become healthier and improve their quality of life to the greatest extent possible.
The Psychologist can help identify strengths and areas where patients may need further support in order to maximise outcomes. They may want to work further with a patient pre/post-surgery to help develop additional tools and strategies.
We find that most patients are hesitant and uncomfortable with the thought of seeing a psychologist prior to surgery, although the information discussed during the clinical interview is critical not only for assessing their appropriateness for surgery but also for enhancing their success during the post-surgery adjustment.
Many patients report, after the assessment, how valuable it was for them to examine the issues raised. The core parts of the clinical interview include reasons for seeking surgery, weight and diet history, current eating behaviours, understanding of the surgery and its associated lifestyle changes, social supports and history, and psychiatric symptoms (current and past).
What are the benefits of keeping in touch with a psychologist post-surgery?
- The Psychologist will help support you to effectively deal with some of the struggles and head games you may experience post-surgery. This in turn will help you maintain the lifestyle changes for long-term success.
- To help with stress, anxiety, mood swings that some patients experience after surgery.
- To help patients deal with triggers that may arise for post emotional eating.
- To help problem solve and find strategies for any difficulties that may arise to enhance success.
What are the most common psychological challenges post-surgery?
- Coping with triggers for past emotional eating
- Coping with mood swings, anxiety, stress
- Relaxation and pain management
- Feelings of “deprivation” such as not being able to eat their favourite rich, high calorie foods after surgery
- Adjusting to lifestyle changes and creating new habits
- Maintaining motivation
In conclusion, we believe that the Psychologist is a detrimental part of our Multi-Disciplinary team. Their evaluation before bariatric surgery is a critical step, not only to identify contraindications for surgery, but also — and more so — to better understand their motivation, readiness, behavioural challenges, and emotional factors that may impact their coping and adjustment through surgery and the associated lifestyle changes.