I have often heard that the fast weight loss associated with bariatric surgery can cause devastating PSYCHOLOGICAL side effects that many patients have not been prepared for before their operation and are not helped with afterwards either.
Although there are the obvious "benefits", we are in the midst of an obesity crisis that isn't going away anytime soon, and is only going to get worse. Obesity isn't just a problem of aesthetics, it comes with a whole host of chronic diseases that are burdening our already stressed public health systems. High blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, to name but a few. Bariatric surgery and the subsequent rapid weight loss has shown to help control and even reverse type 2 diabetes, lower blood pressure and improve general health. But, it is the weight loss that improves these diseases NOT the surgery. There are many ways to lose weight that do not include surgery.
However, there are numerous negative side effects to this type of surgery that aren't often talked about.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of all people with diabetes. Unlike type 1, type 2 is, in the majority of cases, a lifestyle acquired disease. Type 2 diabetes happens when the body becomes increasingly resistant to insulin - a hormone that controls blood sugar levels. This resistance means that glucose stays in the blood causing high levels instead of being taken up by the cells.
Surgery helps by reducing large amounts of weight quickly and they body's ability to respond to insulin can, in some cases, return.
However, the weight loss can result in large amounts of excess skin, which is unsightly, heavy and a problem for many who find they become insecure and don't want to be seen naked even by their loved ones or themselves.The psychological component of obesity: Many people who are obese or overweight use food as an emotional crutch and turn to food as a coping mechanism.
Once they have had the operation, they are no longer able to eat to help with their psychological problems. This causes overwhelming distress and makes them unable to deal with their emotions. Many patients have admitted to feeling "mentally tortured".
Depending on the type of bariatric surgery performed, as many as 20% of patients will find a way to get what they want - food wise. They snack continually and gradually put the weight back on - some are even capable of liquidizing junk food in an attempt to get their "fix" into their reduced stomachs.
This may sound extreme but it does highlight the serious problem that these people had with food before surgery. And, if you don't address the psychological issues the patient has before and after surgery - then surgery isn't going to fix anything longterm.
A study of 17,000 bariatric surgery patients showed that they are at a higher risk of suicide, probably because of the psychological pressure of the lifestyle changes required after surgery.Research has also shown a 50% increase in drug and alcohol addiction post surgery, comforts that patients turn to instead of food.
This shows that we are approaching the obesity problem in completely the wrong way.
If patients' psychological problems are addressed and they are taught new coping strategies, they stop needing to use food as a support mechanism and they lose weight naturally, and the benefits of that weight loss such as the reversal of type 2 diabetes are also seen.
Getting to know why a patient is obese or overweight is a very important part of a weight loss program which ever path someone chooses to take, be it diet or surgery.
I can help you improve your health. If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com
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