Psychologist Support for Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery can change much more than the number on the scales. As your eating habits, body, and lifestyle change, you may also find yourself adjusting to new routines, emotions, and ways of thinking about food.
Having the right support around you can make these changes easier to navigate. Bariatric psychologists can help you make the most of your surgery and work towards changes that last.
We recognise that successful weight management involves both your physical and mental health. Our patients have access to The Fresh Start Program, who provide ongoing education, lifestyle, and mindset support throughout their weight loss journey.
Why Is Psychological Support Important for Weight Loss Surgery?
Our thoughts, emotions, habits, and behaviours all influence how we approach food and lifestyle changes. These things don’t change overnight just because you’ve had surgery.
There’s a lot of things that can happen after surgery that you may not be prepared for, including relationship challenges, self-image issues, excess skin, or emotional eating. Having someone who understands this unique process and its challenges gives you someone to turn to when things feel challenging and to find practical strategies that fit into your life.
Common things psychologists help patients with are:
- Overcoming emotional eating and desires for high calorie foods
- Talking to others about surgery and managing changing relationships with weight loss
- Successfully managing changes in lifestyle and habits (e.g., physical activity) after surgery
- Acknowledging the changes your body makes after surgery (and addressing any ongoing body image concerns),
- Enhancing mental wellbeing and reaching other important life goals
Although these are some of the common areas we support patients with, you are welcome to talk with your psychologist about whatever you feel will be most helpful for you. The aim is to help you get the most out of this powerful tool for weight loss and turn your life around!
The Fresh Start Program
To provide ongoing support beyond surgery, Brisbane Weight Loss Surgery offers patients access to The Fresh Start Program. Designed specifically for people who have undergone weight loss surgery, The Fresh Start Program provides patients with 2 years of ongoing support and guidance to help navigate changes and create a new healthy lifestyle after surgery.
Find out more about what you can access from The Fresh Start Program.
You don’t have to navigate every part of your weight loss surgery journey on your own. From preparing for surgery to adjusting to your new life afterwards, having the right support can help you feel more confident and ready to handle the changes along the way.