Thinking about weight loss surgery? 3 things to know

2018-10-08T09:01:00

(BPT) – More than one-third of adults in the United States have obesity, which is associated with some of the leading causes of death, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.^[1]

If you have obesity and feel like you’ve tried everything to lose weight, you may be ready to consider bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery. Of the more than 25 million surgically eligible people in the United States, less than one percent have weight loss surgery each year.^[2]

Deciding to have weight loss surgery can be challenging, as can sustaining your new lifestyle, but it can also be rewarding — and you don’t need to do it alone.

Here are three things to know as you explore your treatment options and physically, mentally and emotionally prepare for weight loss surgery and recovery.

1. The decision is complex and different for everyone.

Losing weight, and sustaining it, can help people become healthier and live fuller and more active lives. Your decision and reason to have weight loss surgery is personal, and making the decision can be emotional and challenging for both you and your loved loves. While it can be overwhelming, it’s important to explore your options before deciding. With the right support and information, you can feel confident about your path forward.

Only you and your bariatric surgeon can determine if, and which, weight loss surgery is right for you, and only you can determine if you are ready for it. However, if you are ready to explore your options, TheHealthPartner.com can provide the support you need, including science-based information about the benefits and types of weight loss surgery, stories from people who have gone through the full journey of considering options and pursuing surgery, and assistance finding a specialist.

2. It requires physical, mental and emotional preparation.

Before your surgery, you will meet with your care team, including your surgeon and specialists such as psychologists and dietitians, to create a diet and exercise plan and prepare you for your new lifestyle after surgery. To prepare yourself mentally and emotionally, it is helpful to organize a support network which might include family, friends or others who may have been through weight loss surgery and experienced and overcome many of the same fears.

Once you have scheduled your surgery, the Health Partner for Weight Loss Surgery app can help provide personalized guidance as you prepare for surgery along with your surgeon and medical team. Key features include a customizable action plan to track appointments and take steps to prepare physically and emotionally, as well as real life stories from patients who have undergone surgery and educational resources so you know what to expect. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play.

3. It’s a journey, not a destination.

Weight loss surgery is not a one-time action; it is a life-long commitment. Sustaining your weight loss after surgery requires breaking old habits and working hard to create and sustain new ones. While you may not always feel as motivated to eat healthy and exercise regularly as when you first began your journey, following your doctor’s care plan will help you transition into your new lifestyle.

The Health Partner for Weight Loss Surgery app can help assist you to follow your doctor’s recommendations by tapping into what motivates and drives you as an individual to get and stay healthy after surgery, and providing reminders and integration with your tracking apps to monitor your progress.

Weight loss surgery can be daunting, but Johnson & Johnson Health Partner can support you every step of the way. Start your journey today by visiting TheHealthPartner.com.

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