Why You Shouldn’t Feel Embarrassed About Revision Surgery

By Ajay Goyal, MD, FACS | January 27, 2022

If you’ve experienced weight regain in the years after your bariatric surgery, feelings of shame and embarrassment often come with the weight.

If you’re feeling these emotions right now, I encourage you to remember that obesity is a disease that weight loss surgery doesn’t cure. And, know that you are not alone and it’s OK to want a second chance to jumpstart your weight loss with revision surgery. Whether you regained weight due to the pandemic, like many of us did, or you’ve faced life changing experiences that contributed to weight regain, you shouldn’t feel embarrassed. Everyone deserves a second chance.

At New Jersey Bariatric Center, we understand how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off. And, we provide a supportive environment with resources to help our patients process their feelings around their weight and make the decision that’s right for them. Once you’ve decided, here are tips to address it with family and friends.

Telling loved ones

Telling loved ones can also cause feelings of shame. Especially if they were not supportive of your first procedure or if they do not understand how weight loss surgery works. Preparation and understanding are key.

Do your research

To help you navigate the conversation, do your research beforehand and know what your surgical options are. You can then help them understand how revision surgery works and that it’s a tool to help jumpstart your weight loss and give you a second chance at achieving a healthier life.

Give them time

Understand that your loved ones want the best for you and their concerns are valid. Be sure to give them time to articulate their concerns and answer questions based on your research but stay firm in your decision.

Ask for their support

As you may remember from your first weight loss surgery procedure, support is essential especially during recovery. After you explained your decision and heard their point of view, ask for their support to help you get through your weight loss journey.

For questions about revision surgery, give us a call at 908-481-1270 to schedule a consultation with a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeon who would be happy to meet with you and your loved ones.

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By: Ajay Goyal, MD, FACS

Ajay Goyal, MD, FACS, is founder and director of the New Jersey Bariatric Center, a medical & surgical weight loss center with offices in Springfield, Somerville, Hoboken, East Brunswick, Hackettstown and Sparta, New Jersey. New Jersey Bariatric Center helps patients achieve long-term weight loss success through the most advanced bariatric surgery procedures, including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures. New Jersey Bariatric Center’s approach to patient care has resulted in zero mortalities and a complication rate that is lower than the national average.