{"id":3912,"date":"2017-02-27T19:11:34","date_gmt":"2017-02-27T19:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.njbariatriccenter.com\/?p=3912"},"modified":"2017-02-27T19:11:34","modified_gmt":"2017-02-27T19:11:34","slug":"relationship-challenges-weight-loss-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.njbariatriccenter.com\/relationship-challenges-weight-loss-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Relationship Challenges After Weight Loss Surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"

The decision to tell others about surgery is one that most patients grapple with. Whether to tell or not to tell, who to tell and how to deal with the resulting challenges in your relationship is something that everyone faces at some point. At this month\u2019s support group, we used an article on this very topic as the starting point for our discussion.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelationship Challenges Before and After Weight-Loss Surgery,\u201d by Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Walter Medlin, appeared in a recent issue of Your Weight Matters<\/em> magazine. Many patients related to the advice in the article and shared some of their own stories. Here are some of the highlights and some helpful hints on coping with relationship challenges with your\u2026<\/p>\n

Self<\/h4>\n

Many patients still have negative self-talk after surgery. It\u2019s important to take the time to be kind to yourself during your weight loss journey. Always remember to praise yourself for the many achievements. Dr. Medlin stressed the importance of not working on your \u201cself\u201d alone but instead attending support groups or therapy.\u00a0 Hearing about others who are experiencing similar thoughts\/situations as you can help you to sort out your own feelings. There were many heads nodding yes when the \u201cself\u201d relationship topic was brought up at group.<\/p>\n

Spouse\/Significant Other<\/h4>\n

This person may be the one who is most affected by your decision to have weight loss surgery. There may be tension in the marriage\/relationship because of the lifestyle changes. Try to involve them in the process prior to the surgery so that they can understand the basics of the procedure and what is expected after the surgery, including recovery<\/a>, expected weight loss and especially diet. One patient at support group said that she was finding it difficult to avoid the sweets that her husband started bringing back into the house. So she asked him to put them somewhere where she can\u2019t find them.\u00a0 This was a great compromise that could avoid difficulties later on.<\/p>\n

Parents<\/h4>\n

There are many different reactions from parents when learning about their child\u2019s decision to have bariatric surgery. For some, it may be tough to convince them that surgery is the best option since their emotions may lead them to focus on the risks instead of the benefits of surgery. Others may express their fear through withdrawal and that may feel like rejection. Once parents are able to see the benefits of your weight loss surgery, they can become your rock and biggest supporter. One patient shared that she didn't want to worry her mother, who is in her 80s, so she chose not to tell her about the surgery. Another patient two weeks out of surgery shared that when she got home from the hospital, her mother made sure she was OK every other minute.<\/p>\n

Children<\/h4>\n

If you decide to inform your children of your decision, help them to understand that the surgery is going to help you lose weight and get healthier and that their support is important to you. Bringing adult children to a support group or seminar is a good way to get them involved.\u00a0 For younger children, discuss it in terms they\u2019ll understand and explain that you\u2019ll have a new eating plan after surgery. You may want to stop buying some of the snack foods and sugary treats that you purchased in the past or purchase treats that are not tempting to you, so that you avoid them. But your kids may surprise you. One patient said her 20-year-old son told her it was OK to stop bringing junk into the house. Remember that healthier eating will benefit everyone in the house.\u00a0 Of course, a treat here and there never hurt anyone, but we don't want them to become a staple in your everyday life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

RELATED: WEIGHT LOSS CONVERSATIONS WITH YOURSELF<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work Friends<\/h4>\n

Not everyone at support group decided to share their decision to get weight loss surgery with coworkers. Those that did share with coworkers found that some are very supportive while others watched their every move (\u201cYou\u2019re allowed to eat that?\u201d). If some coworkers seem uninformed or uneducated about the procedure, change that by informing them! (Read more on this subject at Thanks But No Thanks: Dealing with Food Pushers and the Food Police<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Old Friends<\/h4>\n

Sometimes old friends feel like their relationship with you may change with your new dietary restrictions. Remind old friends that you can still go out to dinner and socialize but that you will just be eating smaller portions. Keep in mind however that some may not provide the kind of support and encouragement that you need. One patient told a story of going to meet an old friend who has morbid obesity for dinner. The patient ordered her meal and asked right away to bring a \u201cto-go\u201d box so that she could save more than half of her meal for her next couple meals. Her friend, however, ate his entire portion. At the end of the meal, he said to her, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, you\u2019re going to gain all the weight back sooner or later.\u201d To the patient, this was very disheartening and made her realize that this isn\u2019t someone that she needs in her life. She felt that he was trying to sabotage her success. Surround yourself with a strong support system so that you can achieve long-term success after bariatric surgery.<\/p>\n

Program Team and Surgeon<\/h4>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget that most of us went into healthcare to solve problems -- you will not disappoint anyone by being honest,\u201d writes Dr. Medlin. This is one of my favorite lines from the article. Don\u2019t ever feel like you will be judged.\u00a0 If you\u2019re struggling after surgery, don\u2019t hesitate to make an appointment. Get the help\/support you need right away.<\/p>\n

Next support group is Tuesday, March 21. Topic is still to be determined so if you have something you\u2019d like to have us talk about, please let us know in the comments section.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The decision to tell others about surgery is one that most patients grapple with. Whether to tell or not to tell, who to tell and how to deal with the resulting challenges in your relationship is something that everyone faces at some point. At this month\u2019s support group, we used an article on this very […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":3916,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nRelationship Challenges After Weight Loss Surgery - New Jersey Bariatric Center<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.njbariatriccenter.com\/relationship-challenges-weight-loss-surgery\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Relationship Challenges After Weight Loss Surgery\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The decision to tell others about surgery is one that most patients grapple with. 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