If you’re looking for a “silver bullet” that will magically make your extra pounds effortlessly disappear, bariatric surgery is not for you. Successful weight loss through bariatric surgery requires significant lifestyle changes and a lifelong commitment to maintain those changes.
We provide many tools for success – including bariatric surgery and psychological, dietary and exercise support – but it is up to the patient to make the behavioral changes that make success possible. Recognizing an important correlation for success, our bariatric psychologist works closely with patients prior to surgery to ensure that they are ready to meet the challenge.
Prior to surgery, all of our patients sign a “Binding Obesity Contract.” The contract, provided solely for the patient’s benefit, assists them in obtaining the best post-surgical results possible. In the contract, the patient agrees to:
- Eat only to the point of feeling full or satisfied.
- Avoid frozen, soft or melted ice cream, junk food and high-calorie liquids.
- Have NO calories between meals. A set mealtime is the only time for calories.
- Attend support group meetings after surgery.
- See a counselor or psychiatrist if suggested.
- Keep follow-up appointments at one week; at one, three, six, nine, 12 and 18 months; and annually thereafter.
- Utilize vitamin and calcium supplements for life and be monitored with blood work and physical exams for life.
- Exercise five days per week for 30 minutes beginning three weeks after surgery.
If you’re considering bariatric surgery and wondering if you’re ready for the procedure, look closely at the guidelines above and carefully consider whether you’re willing to make those changes for a lifetime.
Our patients overwhelmingly say that these changes are worth it to help usher in a new, healthy, vital life. If you’d like to explore your options for a new life through surgical weight loss, sign up for a free seminar.