Weight Loss Surgery Support on Long Island
“What we change inwardly will change outer reality.”
— Plutarch
Weight Loss Surgery Support
Weight loss surgery comes with a lot of caveats, and an often overlooked part of the procedure is its psychological effects. By talking to a professional and others who have gone through similar experiences, you can better prepare yourself for the road ahead and increase your chances of success.
Education & Validation
Whether or not you have already made the decision to have weight loss surgery, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the surgery and its effects before going through with the procedure. You may not think that weight loss surgery has effects other than your physical recovery, but these kinds of procedures often affect your mental health as well.
Having some support before experiencing a potentially serious surgery can also help you validate the reasons behind your decision.
This is a big decision, and it makes sense that you have questions.
Our patients often ask themselves: Am I going to be okay? Am I doing the right thing? Is the surgery worth the risk?
These questions change based on the individual, so in order to answer these questions for yourself we highly encourage you to reach out.
Before & After
There are many aspects to having weight loss surgery, and we like to take a comprehensive approach by preparing you beforehand and supporting you after the surgery.
As a pre-op measure, we offer a weight loss surgery psychological evaluation. This puts you in a room with a professional who will help answer any questions and provide thoughtful feedback on your decision. This is not meant to make you feel inadequate or “crazy”—rather, the goal is to determine your eating habits and see if they’re tied to any underlying mental health issues. Nobody wants to have surgery only to regain the weight, so our evaluation is only a precautionary measure to help you during post-op.
After the surgery, it’s time to celebrate the successes and create new habits. Post-op support comes in the form of being able to share your experiences with your new body and also rededicating yourself to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Spotlight: Weight Loss Surgery Support Group
For some patients, the most valuable resource we provide is the support group, where people going through similar weight-loss surgeries can speak freely about their experiences. The groups can be incredibly diverse, ranging from people who have only just started thinking about surgery to those who had surgeries years prior and are just looking to check-in. It’s a refreshing setting for anyone involved in having weight loss surgery, and you can hear advice from people who have gone through the same situation in which you may find yourself.
FAQs
My doctor has answered all my questions. Why should I go to therapy on top of getting the surgery?
More often than not, doctors require patients to have a psychological evaluation prior to their surgery. Everyone involved wants for this surgery to be a success for you, and part of that involves identifying your strengths, motivations, and potential areas where you may need extra support after your surgery. Beyond that, we recommend our weight loss surgery support group because it’s always nice to meet other people who can provide some insight into your experience.
What are some other benefits of joining the support group?
Other than making strong connections with others who are going or have gone through the same situations, we provide advice on recipes, exercises, and other activities you can do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We want you to feel accomplished, and being a part of a support group is exactly that—to show you are appreciated and that you matter.
Can I bring a relative to the support group?
Of course! Our goal, as always, is for you to feel comfortable and safe. Sometimes people would rather not come to the group alone, and we understand and honor that. Bringing someone else has the advantage of having someone there for support and also providing them with the context for your surgery.