After weight loss surgery, what can happen?

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Weight loss surgery is a surgical intervention to treat obesity, helping patients achieve the desired weight quickly and effectively. However, after weight loss surgery, when weight is no longer the biggest concern, new problems will appear. Most of them are psychological problems that you never thought you would encounter.
A lot of overweight and obese people consider weight loss as their biggest life goal and their lives often revolve around how to achieve that goal. So when they have successfully lost weight, some people begin to feel lost, even lost, when they do not know what to do next because the goal they consider the most important has been completed.
In addition, there are many other psychological problems that occur in people who have just undergone weight loss surgery, coming from sudden changes in life and from the body that they have not yet adapted to. Knowing these things will help prepare you mentally for a healthy and smooth post-surgery period.

1. Effect of bariatric surgery on life

A person, whether overweight or not, faces countless challenges in life, weight being just one of them. Therefore, successful weight loss does not mean that you no longer face challenges other than weight, even if you consider it to be the biggest obstacle.
Rosalia O'Donoghue, a teacher in Pennsylvania (USA) has lost 103 pounds (equivalent to 46.72kg) with diet and exercise. She hopes that with her new look, she will become more dynamic and confident. “However, I was wrong. Being thin doesn't make me an extrovert."
Not only Rosalia's case, many people after losing weight are also sad and disappointed, when realizing the effect that obesity surgery brings to their lives is not as expected. In fact, solving one problem (weight) does not mean that all other problems are also solved.
To understand this, think about the ideal weight people you know. Is their life perfect? Honestly, no.
If weight was the only thing that determines a person's happiness, everything would be so simple. However, reality is not like that and you have to accept that fact.
If you encounter difficulties in dealing with problems in life after weight loss surgery, please contact your doctor, psychologist for advice, answers and treatment methods if necessary.

2. Get used to your new body

Memories of your old appearance and weight can remain long and deep in your memory. Many people feel uncomfortable and awkward with their own body. Even when they have reduced their clothes size 2-3 times compared to the old size and people praise their appearance, they still think they are obese and therefore cannot get used to their new body right away.
Experts advise that, instead of thinking of yourself as 'fat' or 'just transformed', think of yourself with positive adjectives like 'thin', 'healthy' or ' full of energy”. Write these phrases on sticky notes and stick them in your car, bedroom door, or any other personal space you frequent so they can be seen throughout the day. This will help retrain the way your brain thinks.
Another problem people often have after weight loss surgery is still wearing clothes that are too big for their body, without even realizing this mismatch. They also avoid looking in the mirror, and each time they look back, they are surprised to see a thinner person in the mirror.
That's what happened to Lisa Durant - who lost 115 pounds (equivalent to 52 kg) through dieting and bodybuilding. After losing weight, she still has the habit of wearing clothes 1 size larger than the size she should wear. “I didn't realize they were too big for me. If the clothes make me feel weird compared to before, I simply think that they are not suitable for the movement of the body."
It wasn't until she tried on a size 2 dress that zipped and fit perfectly that she realized she really needed a change. "It's like you have to learn how to dress someone completely new," she says.
This is also a situation many people encounter after losing weight, especially the case of rapid weight loss due to surgery. To overcome this, experts recommend looking at yourself in the mirror more and smiling at yourself. Focus on something specific that you like about your new body, like a smaller belly than before. This helps you get used to your new look, understand how your body has changed, and what size clothes to wear.

3. How will others see you?

After weight loss surgery, you may receive a different treatment than before, for example compliments on your appearance, attention and enthusiastic help from men...
Even if you like the treatment. This people's recognition or not, you still need to get used to them. Changes to your appearance will result in more attention and criticism, and even though the comments are positive, you may still feel uncomfortable or even annoyed that your rights have been violated. personal. This is a very common problem experienced by people after weight loss surgery. Talk to a psychologist to find a solution.
Another very common situation is that instead of being praised, you may have to receive criticism instead. Some people will comment that you have lost too much weight and become thin and sick; because they are used to the image of you as an overweight person.
Anticipating all these reactions will help you not be too shocked and proactively respond when they happen.

4. Relationships with close people

According to experts, losing weight can also affect in some way your relationship with your spouse/partner, family member or friend.
For example, a man often has the expectation that if he loses weight, his sex life will become smooth and fulfilling. However, the reality is not always like that. In some cases, a man's increased self-confidence after losing weight makes his wife/lover feel inferior and lack confidence, especially if they also have some flaws in their appearance. Find ways to reassure your partner that they are still an important part of your life, and how much you appreciate their presence.
After weight loss surgery, you will most likely have to hear negative words like “You are beautiful because of surgery”, or “You will gain weight back to the original”. Avoid these people because they do not bring positive energy and sincere support to you.
Some stress may appear in your relationships after weight loss. Sometimes it comes from very small things like differences in cooking or food choices. This disagreement is common within the family and you need to be prepared in advance to receive sympathy from everyone.

5. Enjoy your new body

Fill your life with things you couldn't do before, such as traveling, playing with your kids, participating in community volunteer programs, learning a new sport or shopping for new clothes. new stuff for you.
After weight loss surgery, love yourself more and enjoy the wonderful things that weight loss has to offer in your life.

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Reference source: webmd.com