Weight Loss Surgery: Educate Your Family for Support
Weight loss surgery, be it roux-en-y, gastric bypass, or lap band, can be a great help to your health and well-being. Having the support of your family makes the success even sweeter. In talking with WLS patients we sometimes see that family members become very anxious and can even fight your success.
Staying Strong and Losing Weight Post Gastric Bypass
We have heard of couples who cannot agree with each other and object to their spouse having surgery because they like them just the way they are. People that have WLS are generally unhealthy because of their weight and staying that way is not a good or healthy idea.
Health benefits are associated with weight loss for the obese person. Staying overweight to please your spouse is simply not an option–especially when your health is at stake! Even if surgery is not your choice for how to lose weight, you must be diligent and follow through with losing the extra pounds. Staying strong and on track against adversity will work in your favor in the long run.
Educate Your Family about the Benefits of WLS
Although weight loss surgery is not for everyone the benefits can be significant for most that have the surgery. Your family needs to be educated about bariatric surgery and what those benefits are.
- Diabetics can often reduce or eliminate their diabetes medications. Blood sugar glucose levels often return to normal or nearly normal.
- Hypertension is often a problem with overweight people. Many people lower their blood pressure as they lose weight. Many patients are able to eliminate or reduce their dosage of blood pressure medication within a few months.
- High cholesterol or hyperlipidemia gets better in many bariatric patients.
- Sleep apnea is a common problem with the overweight population. Significant weight loss can cure this.
Include Your Family at Your Physician Visits
Whether you are contemplating weight loss surgery or you have already had it, don’t be shy about having your spouse and family come along on your doctor visit. Let them get their questions answered “straight from the horse’s mouth”. Involving them in the details and benefits is a great way to gain support.
Ask for Your Family’s Help
Sometimes it just takes asking for help to get it. If some of your family is doubtful about what they can do, asking them if they will help might get them more enthusiastic. They can help by encouraging your intake of healthy foods. Having them remind you to take your bariatric vitamins can help. So can any way to include them in your daily bariatric routine.
Encourage your family to join you on your healthy journey. Everyone can benefit by eating nutritious foods and exercising. It’s more fun too – doing things as a group or with a partner could be just the encouragement you need to meet your goals.




June 22, 2010 | Posted by Tina F
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