Weight loss surgery can initiate a lot of healthy changes in your life. The foods you eat, your activity level and even the way you think about foods might change as you adjust your lifestyle to better fit your post-bariatric guidelines. Weight loss surgery is a rewarding weight-loss method, but it takes long-term lifestyle changes to manage your weight. To maintain your weight loss long-term, you’ll have to make sincere changes to your way of life. This may require some mental and physical support as you attempt to incorporate healthy choices and behaviors into your day-to-day routine. One of the most important habits you can adopt as you move forward on your weight loss journey is to regularly participate in support groups.
Understanding the Role of Support Groups
Embarking on a weight loss journey is a complicated yet exciting process, often filled with challenges and triumphs. For a person undergoing bariatric surgery, a support group can play an invaluable role. According to the National Library of Medicine, weight loss support groups offer emotional, psychological, and educational guidance. This is because weight loss is not simply a physical journey-it’s deeply emotional and psychological. Many times, losing weight brings with it feelings of self-doubt, frustration, and isolation. For many patients, connecting with others with similar experiences can make all the difference. Support groups provide a safe space where people can share their stories, celebrate successes, and help each other through setbacks together.
Many people find support groups especially helpful after weight loss surgery. This is because support groups present a chance for you to:
- Hear perspective from others on issues you are experiencing
- Listen to the challenges other people are experiencing in similar situations
- Gain insight on the obstacles that may be ahead
- Find comfort in knowing that you are not alone in your journey
Motivation and Accountability
Motivation does slowly decline over time, especially once the “honeymoon” phase after surgery is over. This honeymoon phase can last for the first 6 months to 1 year after surgery. Over time, it is easy to get comfortable and passive with your weight loss journey or become unmotivated by slowed down weight loss. Many people can struggle with maintaining their weight loss after bariatric surgery and some can also experience weight gain. These groups help individuals stay motivated, provide accountability that is helpful when setting health goals, and serves as a safe space to celebrate accomplishments and provide help when challenges come up.
Types of Support Provided
Emotional Support
The emotional aspect of weight loss is one of the most challenging and overlooked to manage. Many weight loss surgery patients report struggling with body image issues, self-esteem, and anxiety about maintaining their results.
Read also: Diet Before Bariatric Surgery
Support groups can provide a sanctuary for people to share their feelings without fear of judgment. Group members often form strong bonds, offering empathy and encouragement during tough times.
For instance, in the Pembroke Pines area, weight loss surgery patients often turn to local support groups to build a network of understanding peers. Knowing others are walking the same path fosters a sense of belonging, reduces loneliness, and boosts emotional resilience.
Psychological Support
Weight loss surgery involves more than just a physical change; it also means there will be a psychological shift. Many patients need to adjust their relationship with food, confront emotional eating patterns, and build healthy coping mechanisms. Weight loss support groups are often led by licensed therapists or counselors facilitating discussions and providing tools to manage these challenges.
For example, a patient who underwent surgery with Dr. Alvaro Garcia might share their story of overcoming post-surgery depression through group counseling. Hearing such testimonials can inspire and motivate others to seek help and stay committed to their goals.
Educational Support
One of the most critical aspects of post-surgery recovery is education. Many support groups invite dietitians, fitness experts, and surgeons to share insights on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These sessions cover meal planning, exercise routines, and managing long-term health risks.
Read also: Bariatric Surgery Outcomes
Having access to reliable information is essential. Many support groups offer hands-on workshops, cooking classes, and question-and-answer sessions with medical professionals. For instance, a support group might host a surgeon to discuss the importance of portion control and nutritional balance. These opportunities empower patients to make informed decisions and stay on track.
At Central California Surgery’s support group, you will be meeting with the Dietitian Prudence. At different support groups, you can expect to hear from different health professionals like dietitians or nurse practitioners who help to guide discussions on a variety of topics. Developed and led by our own bariatric specialists and dietitians, these 1.5 hour meetings offer education and encouragement to help guide you toward success.
Resources for Support
There are a number of types of bariatric surgery support groups, and many weight loss surgery centers offer support sessions monthly or even weekly. Some groups are open to only bariatric surgery patients, while other groups are geared toward anyone that is considering surgery for weight loss. Support groups vary among centers. Some are led by patients, others by healthcare facilitators. Many offer guest speakers who present on topics such as exercise and plastic surgery. Some hold monthly clothing swaps and/or food demonstrations.
Online support groups are another option, which enables individuals to receive support online from the comfort of their own homes. Try to stay connected with your program’s support groups and social media platforms by aiming to attend virtual or in-person meetings. If your program does not provide any of these support groups, try a reputable online support group such as the one from Unjury.com. Be aware that many Web-based resources are run by former bariatric surgery patients, and not healthcare professionals. One study of online support groups found that half of the posts contained inaccurate or ambiguous information regarding nutrition.
Retreats and reunions encompass support groups that meet less frequently, such as annually or twice per year. Psychological support groups help people deal with relationship or body image issues in conjunction with their weight loss surgery.
Read also: Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?
In addition to these forms of support groups, you may find it helpful to join an activity-based support group, such as a walking or other form of exercise group. This will give you a resource for encouragement as well as workout accountability as you progress towards your weight loss goals.
All forms of support can be helpful. However, bariatric program support groups provide timely, factual and evidence-based information for patients. ASMBS-accredited programs are required to have a licensed professional who is offering and running the sessions.
For those that are led by other patients, keep in mind that some information may not be accurate and evidence based. It is important to decide what type of support group you feel is the best fit for you.
Finding the Right Fit
Choosing the Right Support GroupFinding the right support group is critical to reap the most benefits. Look for groups in your area, such as those in South Florida, that focus on weight loss and meet regularly. Consider groups that include medical professionals, such as surgeons and dietitians, for invaluable advice.
Choose a group that aligns with your values and preferences. Whether you prefer in-person meetings or virtual sessions, there’s a group for everyone. Participation is key-share your story, ask questions, and support others during meetings to gain the most from the experience.
Maximizing Your Support Group Experience
Once you decide to seek support, how do you get the most out of your support group experience? Stay connected to your program and commit to attending at least two to three times yearly, preferably five or more. Some attendance is better than no attendance! Use a support group as a way to check your progress and self-monitor any tendency to relapse into previous behaviors that could lead to weight regain. Listening to others who have worked through similar challenges is often reassuring.
Prepare to engage in the group session by writing down one or two questions about the topic. Think mindfully before responding to others’ comments and consider how you can lend constructive feedback and support to other group participants. If weight regain has become an issue, try not to let feelings of shame or embarrassment prevent you from reaching out for support.
Be aware if attendance or participation is triggering. For example, if you are participating in online groups, assess if seeing others’ weight-loss or pictures makes you draw unfair comparisons or worry that you aren’t losing enough weight.
Support groups are not there for you to ask for or give personalized medical advice. Set realistic expectations that the support group may not answer every question or address specific issues you may have. Provide suggestions to the support group leader about topics you are interested in learning about. An ideal support group will try to balance what the patients want to know with what the treatment team wants the patients to know. Support groups should not be a place for someone to try selling you a particular product.
Success Stories and Long-Term Impact
Success Stories: The Power of CommunityWeight loss support groups have a proven track record of success. Patients who actively participate in them often report higher satisfaction levels with their weight loss journey, better adherence to post-surgery guidelines, and improved overall well-being.
Some patients report that a support group helps them achieve long-term success in their weight loss by helping them to maintain weight and keep it from coming back. Being able to hear what other patients have gone through and are experiencing often helps to normalize the weight loss process.
The Long-Term Impact of Support GroupsSupport groups provide ongoing benefits long after surgery. Many people continue attending meetings years later to maintain accountability and stay motivated. These groups often evolve into close-knit communities, offering unwavering support through every stage of the journey. From celebrating milestones to helping each other through setbacks, these groups serve as lifelines, ensuring patients never feel alone.
Previous research points to the benefits of support group attendance not only for weight-loss, but also for long-term maintenance of weight management behaviors. These researchers found a “dose effect” in patients who attended five or more meetings the first year after surgery and lost more weight. Another study showed that adolescent patients who attended support groups were more likely to attend clinic follow-up visits the year after. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) encourages bariatric programs to offer support groups at least every other month.
Navigating the Bariatric Journey
Finally, remember that seeking out support is not a sign of weakness. It is not correct to say that these changes will come naturally. Change is often stressful, and healthy changes are no less stressful than unhealthy ones.
Weight loss surgery can initiate a lot of healthy changes in your life. The foods you eat, your activity level and even the way you think about foods might change as you adjust your lifestyle to better fit your post-bariatric guidelines.
While bariatric surgery is the most effective invention for sustained weight-loss, weight regain can occur, particularly for patients who are three or more years post-surgery. Bariatric surgery patients can benefit from participating in bariatric support groups before and after their surgery. However, postoperative patients may find that their overall motivation for weight management and support group attendance lessens over time.
Remember that bariatric surgery is just a tool, but it’s also a commitment you are making to yourself for the long run. Ups and downs are all part of the journey. By attending support groups, you’ll find validation for your own thoughts and feelings. Knowing that other people have experienced exactly what you have/are going through helps to normalize your journey and hopefully lessen any feelings of shame, embarrassment or failure.
Additional Considerations
After completing the Stage 1 diet for 7 days, you will advance to the Stage 2 diet for the next 7 days. Feeling fatigued after bariatric surgery is not uncommon, especially in the first few months. However, there are a few factors that can increase the amount of fatigue that you experience. Clear Liquids- this is anything that you can see through.
Despite all these benefits, the majority of bariatric patients do not attend support groups offered by their program. In one study using a telephone survey of 118 patients, participants were asked to list the reasons for support group non-attendance.
Be aware of the accuracy of the content on social media support groups. Support groups should not be a place for someone to try selling you a particular product.