Counseling Can Help Weight-Loss Surgery Patients

Posted by Dr. Nick Nicholson on August 25th, 2015

Whether to undergo bariatric surgery or not is a very big decision to make. Moving forward with this option can help people who are obese regain control over their lives and their weight. This step, however, isn’t one to be taken lightly. After all, many popular forms of bariatric surgery call for the permanent alteration of the body and can demand dramatic changes following surgery to produce safe, effective results. With that in mind, many surgeons require their patients to undergo counseling before they move forward.

While counseling requirements may seem like an unnecessary measure to patients, there are very good reasons why doctors insist. Here are just a few of them:

•          To ensure their patients know what to expect – Depending on the procedure involved, bariatric surgery can demand very big lifestyle changes in post-surgical days. While some changes are called for to promote weight-loss, others are required to ensure a healthy recovery. Dramatic alterations to diet, for example, are often a must to help the body safely heal from procedures, such as gastric bypasses and sleeve gastrostomies. Counseling simply helps ensure patients know what they are getting into.
•          To ensure their patients have support – Successful weight loss surgery may produce results in the immediate future, but after healing beings, some people begin regaining the weight lost. Undergoing counseling before and after surgery can help ensure patients have the support necessary to succeed over the long haul.
•          To make sure patient expectations are realistic – Some people think that weight loss surgery is a magic cure – it is not. Counseling can help ensure that expectations are realistic and that patients understand weight loss is a lifelong pursuit.

Going in for counseling before bariatric surgery is a great way to help ensure successful outcomes. Patients who are not offered this option by their surgeons may want to enquire where and how to gain the information and support they need to enjoy the weight loss they desire.

About Author:-

One of the most experienced weight loss surgeons in the country – Dr. Nick Nicholson – along with a full staff of surgeons, nurses and other experienced clinicians, help patients reverse obesity with LAP-BAND, Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy and Revisions.