Bariatric behavioral assessment
Bariatric surgery will change your life. It not only impacts you, but also those around you. Behavioral assessments help us understand your life, how well you understand the surgical procedures and how well you will manage them.
Many people report positive mental health changes; however, some people may face some challenges. Depression, anxiety and other mood challenges may follow bariatric surgery. For some, these changes take place with medication. You may need time to adjust to these changes, and your emotions may be intensified.
You will want to make sure your home environment is bariatric friendly after your surgery. Remove the foods that you feel desire you to consume without limits, also known as trigger foods. Make sure you discuss these concerns with family and request their support. You want your home environment to encourage healthy living.
If you are an emotional eater, it is necessary to change the behavior. One way to identify whether you are an emotional eater is to keep a journal for a few weeks. This will help track eating habits to determine how to decrease the desire to eat. If you continue to struggle with emotional eating, seek professional assistance.
Exercising on a regular basis and being mindful of what you eat are important in weight loss. You can also find others that may share you struggles and successes to help you through the journey. Finding a bariatric support group is a great way to gain this accountability in your life.
Surgery will help you meet your weight loss goal, but maintaining it will require lifestyle changes. Regular physical activity will not only help you maintain your goal, but will also give you more energy, improve your mood, combat health conditions and can be fun too.