By Colleen Hutchison
While bariatric, or weight loss surgery is becoming more common, it is often difficult to get an insurance company to pay for it. You generally have to jump though some hoops to show the willingness and some success in changing your lifestyle to a healthier one as well as changing your relationship with food, something that is vitally important to anyone trying to lose weight. Here are a few things anyone trying to lose weight and regain their health can do to make weight loss permanent-with or without surgery!
1. Talk to your doctor. This may sound obvious, but in the course of your conversation you should make a point of discussing referrals not only to the Bariatric Surgery Department, if that is your goal, but also include the dietician or nutritionist, physical therapy if you have problems with exercise due to painful injury or joint deterioration related to your weight, and most importantly, I believe, is a psychological or psychiatric referral. Most of us did not get to this point without some emotional baggage. You cannot expect long-term success if you don't address this.
2. Sign up for a weight management class. Many hospitals offer these. These are very helpful and you can exchange ideas one-on-one with others in the same boat. And you will not only make new friends here and gain a support system, you will also likely be surprised to find out that many of the issues you are dealing affect a lot of people in the class as well. And, people here are always great about exchanging ideas that have worked for them, and the instructors are generally very sincere in their desire to help you and offer suggestions. Then, take it again every year or so to get new ideas and keep you on track.
3. Get a weight loss/fitness diary and USE IT! It is a tedious exercise for many, but you will think twice about whether you really want that candy bar if you know you have to write it down and account for it. Be sure that you use one that includes an area to write how you were feeling when you ate (or add your own), and if you over-ate you will be able to look and detect patterns in behavior and it makes the relationship between food and emotions all the more obvious. It also brings into painful focus just how large portions in the United States tend to be. Be sure there is also a section for including exercise.
4. Re-think your focus. If your only motivation to lose weight is to look better in your wedding gown or fit into your smaller jeans, you are likely setting yourself up for failure. Health needs to be your goal. Health is long-term. That wedding gown is short-term. Think in terms of being able to sit in that seat on the airplane without having to ask for an extender, or being able to cross your legs again-what we call NSV's-or Non-Surgery Victories, if that helps. But ultimately, getting off or staying off medication, having more energy, being able to set a great example for your children-HEALTH needs to be the ultimate goal.
Weight loss is difficult for most of us, and the typical "dieter" usually ends up gaining it back, along with a few extra pounds. But, with some planning, patience (don't expect these changes to happen quickly. We spent a full year prior to surgery to make the necessary lifestyle changes) and determination, along with plenty of the right kind of support, you can succeed. Maybe you will even be able to fit into your original wedding dress when you renew your vows in 20 or 30 years, and have the energy to really enjoy it!
