To Tell or Not to Tell

TO TELL OR NOT TO TELL

 

To Tell or Not to Tell – do I tell them or don’t I?  I’ve just made one of the most important decisions in my life.  I’ve done the research, looked at the pros and cons, and made the commitment emotionally and financially.   I feel great, it’s the right decision for me.  Weight loss surgery is going to help change my life in so many ways.  I deserve this.

The decision to tell or not to tell now overwhelms me.  I feel like a thunderbolt struck right in the middle of my chest. Those euphoric moments of a new slimmer life are replaced with fear, dread, shame, and guilt.

 

To Tell or Not to Tell

If I tell, who do I tell and why?

What do I expect their response to be?

What if it’s not what I wanted or expected

Can I cope with negative responses to WLS?

Do I have to tell?

If I don’t tell and they find out, how will I cope with that.

Won’t they suspect anyway, I can’t hide a massive weight loss?

If it was them, would they tell.

And on and on and on….

 

We can never pre-empt what another’s response will be.  The very people you thought would support and encourage you through this journey can often be the very people who shoot you down.  Comments like:

 

To Tell or Not to Tell
I’m confused – do I tell or don’t I?

Just stop eating so much

Get off your backside and exercise.

Surgery is taking the easy way out

You’ve always been big that’s who you are

You will just put it back on like you always do

It’s the lazy persons way of cheating

Just diet and exercise that’s all you need to do

 Confiding in someone you thought would have your back and getting an adverse response is devastating

 

Take the time before disclosing to really think about why you are disclosing.  Do you want support and encouragement or are you just telling because you feel obligated to?  Maybe it’s because you are excited about a new slimmer future and just want to share that.  We want those we love to feel our excitement, to be happy for us like they would an upcoming wedding or birth.

Reflect on Your Intentions

Understanding your motivation for disclosing is important. The need for emotional support, encouragement and accountability from loved ones cannot be underestimated. Having an understanding and compassionate support and/or a support network can make an enormous difference to your journey after weight loss surgery.

Evaluate Your Support System

Sharing your decision for weight loss surgery you may encounter judgement, unsolicited advice, opinions, and privacy concerns.  Revealing personal health information might challenge your sense of privacy, especially with acquaintances or colleagues.  Many are quick to announce that your weight loss is due to surgery rather than your hard committed work.

Set Boundaries

Establish clear boundaries with individuals who might not be supportive or understanding, focusing on your well-being.  Knowing you have had Weight Loss Surgery some people take on their role in the Food Policing Squad with even more vigour.   Scrutinising and issuing “warnings” about how much and what you are eating.  Contemplate the extent to which you are comfortable with vulnerability and openness.

Anticipate Potential Reactions

Sharing your story might impact your emotional health.  Consider the potential reactions you might receive upon disclosing your weight loss surgery. While some may offer support and encouragement, others might not fully understand the complexities of your decision. Be prepared for a range of responses, both positive and negative. Negative reactions or judgment from others could potentially affect your self-esteem and progress.

Weight Loss Surgery is a recognised medical procedure.  You do not need to justify your decision to anyone.   Unfortunately, there will always be some who seek to undermine your choice.

Seek Professional Guidance

To Tell or Not to Tell
Talking with a professional can help with your decision to tell or not to tell

 

If you’re unsure about whether to disclose your weight loss surgery, consider seeking guidance from a mental health professional. A therapist can help you navigate your feelings, provide coping strategies, and assist in making an informed decision.

 

To Tell or Not to Tell – It’s not an easy decision.  But whatever you decide, be comfortable and happy with it.  Decide, commit, and focus on your weight loss journey with pride and confidence.  It’s your life, your decision and you deserve a slimmer healthier body.

 

If you have any queries or would like to know how we can help you on this amazing life changing journey, please contact us or book a free strategy call via our  website  https://www.savvybariatrics.com

Stay Savvy

 

 

8 Things I Wish My Surgeon told me Before having Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

8 Things I Wish my Surgeon told me before having Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

 

Contemplating Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery?   I have listed the most common “8 things I wish my surgeon told me before having Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery” .

Bariatric weight loss surgery is a major life decision which requires a lifelong commitment to healthy eating. Realistic expectations about the outcome of surgery is critical.  Addressing emotional and psychological issues is paramount before and after surgery.  Everyone’s journey is different.  Be well-informed about the procedure before deciding to have surgery.

 

Discuss these issues with your surgeon and associated health professionals.  Knowledge and awareness will alleviate many problems that can and may occur after weight loss surgery.

  1. The recovery process can be longer and more difficult than expected:  Be prepared for the physical and emotional challenges of the recovery process after surgery, such as pain, fatigue. Gas pain can be a particular issue for some patients.

                  1. The potential for complications: While bariatric surgery is generally safe, there is a risk of complications such as infection, bleeding, and blood clots. It’s important to be aware of the potential risks before you undergo surgery and discuss this with your surgeon.

 

                  1. Long-term commitment: Many people do not fully understand the long-term commitment required after bariatric surgery, including regular follow-up appointments, adhering to a specific diet, and making lifestyle changes

 

      1. The possibility of weight regain: Some people may regain some of the weight they lost after surgery, and it’s important for to be aware that surgery is not a magic solution and that it requires a lifelong commitment to healthy eating and regular physical activity

 

  1. Difficulty with certain foods: Some foods such as dry or tough foods, may cause mild to severe difficulty with eating after surgery.  Foods that you normally found easy to eat may create new food restrictions and limitations.

 

  1. Nutritional deficiencies: Some people may not be fully aware of the potential for nutritional deficiencies after surgery, and may not understand the importance of taking supplements and monitoring nutrient intake

 

  1. The importance of lifestyle changes: Surgery is only a tool and it’s important for people to understand that they need to make permanent lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity, stress management, sleep, and healthy eating habits, in addition to tracking food intake and weight loss.

 

  1. Emotional and psychological challenges: Many people are not aware of the emotional and psychological challenges that can occur after surgery, such as body dysmorphia or dissatisfaction with one’s appearance.

 

It’s important to note that with this knowledge it did not deter any of my clients from having their weight loss surgery.  Prepared for any issue that may have arisen,   their process of mindset and lifestyle transformation to a slimmer and healthier body began with me prior to surgery.

 

If you have any queries or would like to know how we can help you on this amazing life changing journey, please contact us or book a free strategy call via our website www.savvybariatrics.com

 

Stay Savvy

 

 

Fat Shaming Never Motivates

Fat Shaming never motivates.  It can cut through your heart like a double-edged knife.  Generally perpetrated by those closest to us such as parents, friends, and colleagues.  Dare I say it, also perpetrated by many in the medical profession.

 

Unfortunately, we can also be responsible for fat shaming ourselves, oftentimes through humour as a way of coping.  Better we shame ourselves than have others get their kicks by putting us down.

Let’s face it, the media in all its forms reinforces our shame by incessantly publishing those airbrushed images of fabulous 40-, 50- & 60-year-old celebrities in their bikinis on our social media and news feeds.  Setting up unrealistic societal and self-expectations of what we think our body should look like. The reality of these air-brushed images, however, merely purports to showcase the talent of the air-brusher.

There are those who would propose that fat shaming can be well intended.  You know, as a well-intended way to motivate you to lose weight. A reverse psychology tactical form of criticism if you will.  Seems to me this approach has been totally and utterly ineffective.

Fat Shaming is linked to eating disorders such as bingeing and emotional eating, low self esteem and depressive symptoms.  It is often not called out for fear of the further embarrassment and shame caused to the recipient.  Easier to just shut up and take it on the chin.  Meanwhile we slip further into the never-ending abyss of shame and the weight loss emotional rollercoaster.

It’s important to create an emotional care plan for yourself to cope with an episode of fat shaming.  This is where you may need the help of a professional versed in strategies you can implement with confidence and strength.  Changing your own negative self-talk and self-belief can take conscious work and practise.

When you can accept your body with confidence and a strong self-esteem regardless of size, the Fat Shamers lose their power to hurt and humiliate you.

It takes courage and grit to accept your vulnerability about your body  so it’s important to surround yourself with people who can support and  love you. Paramount importance is to begin to love and advocate for yourself.

 

You are deserving of respect and dignity regardless of your shape or size.  If you find yourself needing help in this area please reach out to us, we are here for you.

Stay Savvy

 

Weight Loss Surgery - Weight loss Hypnotherapy Melbourne

Overcome a Weight Loss Plateau after Weight Loss Surgery

Overcome a Weight Loss Plateau after Weight Loss Surgery

A Weight Loss Plateau after Weight Loss Surgery can be a huge knock to one’s confidence and self-esteem. It can happen at 3 or 6 months but mostly it appears somewhere around the 18-24 month mark. Tips to Overcome a Weight Loss Plateau after Weight Loss Surgery are a very important tool.

The important thing is to not get too frustrated. Plateaus are a normal part of weight loss and weight loss management after surgery. A plateau occurs for a few reasons most of which can be overcome. One reason is that the body’s metabolism adapts as you begin to eat less, so as you reduce your food intake your metabolism slows down and you burn less fat. Your body is adjusting to a lower caloric level and requires less fuel than previously.

Plateaus happen. Even after weight loss surgery. They are temporary and generally easy to overcome.

Here are a few ways in which a plateau can be overcome and weight loss “kick-started” again.

Healthy living program Melbourne

 

Change your eating routine

Your metabolism reacts to the way you eat as well as what you eat. While it is a good thing to eat regular meals (but smaller portions) your metabolism becomes used to the regularity of your eating so change your routine for a day or two. Eat at different times than usual and vary the type of food you eat.

Don’t Avoid Carbs

Don’t avoid carbs completely Eating too few carbohydrates can actually cause weight to stay the same or increase since carbohydrates control leptin, which helps keep your metabolism running at full speed for optimum weight loss results.

Drink more water

Thirst is often mistaken for hunger. Every time you feel the urge to snack, drink a glass of water first and see if the urge goes away. Coffee, tea, or any other juices count as liquids, but add an extra glass of pure water for each cup of coffee you drink, as caffeine tends to dehydrate the body.

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will keep the weight loss going by speeding up metabolism, increasing weight loss from fiber in food, and reducing calorie intake from beverages that have no nutritional value.

reducing calories - savvy bariatrics

Keep Exercising

If you’ve hit a weight loss plateau, don’t skip your workouts. Exercising will help you burn off the excess weight that’s sapping your weight loss progress. Maintain weight loss by remaining active and eating less – not exercising more.

Check here a Weight Loss Program for Everyone.

Track what you Eat

If the weight isn’t coming off like it used to, track what you’re eating. It’s possible that you may be taking in too many calories to continue weight loss. Food Amnesia is a major reason we see plateaus and regain. Keeping a food diary for 3-4 weeks will help you see any patterns with your food intake that may be a contributing factor.

Get Quality Sleep

Getting enough quality sleep can help prevent weight gain that may occur with weight loss plateaus. Sleep deprivation often leads to weight gain due to hormonal changes, increased appetite, cravings for junk food, and weight retention. If you aren’t getting the full seven to eight hours of sleep your body requires, try to get at least five hours of sleep every night.

Stay motivated

Remember why you had Weight Loss Surgery and the outcome you desire. View a plateau as a hiccup on your journey to managing your weight for a healthier life. However, if you are having trouble coping, please talk to your health professional or surgeon.

Break it Down

Keep weight loss goals small. Oftentimes we get overwhelmed by the amount of weight we need or want to lose. Chunk it down into 5kg/10lb goals. Take the overwhelm out of your weight loss journey. Weight loss plateaus are common when people become frustrated from not seeing weight loss results fast enough.

Weight Loss Plateaus after Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery are NORMAL. Don’t get disheartened! Stay motivated and you will get over the hump. Whatever you do, don’t give up. Hang in there! Stay on the program and you will achieve your goal and lose the weight you desire.

For more information please go to our website www.savvybariatrics.com.

Julia-Lorent-black-high-res

BMI – Don’t let it Define You.

BMI – Don’t let it Define You.

 

Sam walked into my office and before he even sat down, blurted out that he was too fat to get insurance.  What? Like, What??  Sam was by appearances NOT overweight at all.  He was tall sculptured and looked vibrantly healthy.

 

Visibly concerned and upset. Sam was told that his BMI was too high.  He was very overweight bordering on obese and should do something about it if he wanted to get insurance coverage.   Still in absolute disbelief, I really wanted to swear at this stage, and I wanted to swear a LOT.  I knew where he was going.  It’s that damn BMI calculation again.   BMI don’t let it define you.

Without going into the semantics of the BMI calculator it was created some 200 years by Belgian Academic called Quetelet. Being flawed it is outdated and still unfortunately used by medical professions, insurance companies and governments.  I believe there was some form of update in America around 1985 but whichever way you cut it, BMI does not actually measure how fat you are. There is no differentiation between muscle, bone or distribution of fat throughout the body. Muscle as we know is very much denser than fat.

Hence this is the reason athletes, body builders, football players and boxers to name a few, may end up with a BMI reading that allocates them into the overweight and obese category.  This in itself shows the inaccuracy of BMI, yet we continue to be defined by it.

 

BMI – Don’t let it Define You.

 

As I listened to Sam unleash with vitriol that a flawed and outdated chart had in some way sealed his fate, I couldn’t help wonder if the physician actually looked at him at all.  Clearly, he is not overweight, he works out, he has muscles and a lot of them, but not overweight.  He questioned the result, he questioned they physician for his opinion of whether He thought he was overweight or not. – the answer was – This is the range you are in given the factors that determine your BMI from the Chart.  Where do you go from there? Sam asked.

Lucy recited how her walk of shame through the waiting room. The guilt the physician made her feel was a defining moment for her.  But could quite easily have destroyed her.

Lucy, who had lost some 23kg was told in no uncertain terms that she must be doing something wrong because her BMI has not reduced.  When she questioned the result, she was dismissed.  She was right to question the result it’s definitely wrong if it hasn’t changed after a 23kg loss.  I see clients getting a BMI reading and becoming obsessive about it because they are confused and overwhelmed.

 

BMI – Don’t let it Define You.

 

While Shaming people with a high BMI may not necessarily be the intention it certainly is the outcome for a large number of those who find themselves overweight or obese.  With an already fragile body image, shaming intentional or otherwise, actually has the opposite effect and can send some into a deeper state of overwhelm than they were before their BMI result.  Unfortunately, this is not uncommon.

Far more accurate means to measure fat, muscle and bone are available to us now.  It should be used instead of too much emphasis being placed on the BMI result.

Some fat is ok but too much fat in the wrong places is definitely a health risk.  Researchers note that the best measure for excess body fat involves the circumference of your waist.

BMI is also used as a  marker for those wanting or needing Weight Loss Surgery.  A lot of emphasis is placed on BMI in this instance by Surgeons.  Initially one needed a high BMI to qualify for Weight Loss Surgery.  Over the years the parameters have shifted with a lowering of BMI qualifiers allowing more people to participate in these programs.

Excess body fat around the middle has been linked to serious health issues including diabetes, stroke, certain cancers and heart disease.

 

BMI – Don’t let it Define You.

 

If you really want to know your body composition find a gym or health practitioner that has modern equipment giving you a detailed map of your body and body fat.   There are also mobile practitioners who will come to you with their equipment and perform the assessment in the privacy of your home or office.  No Shame, No Guilt, No Judgement.

My personal advice to Clients and others is to ditch the BMI.  Focus on what you can do to reduce your weight and regain health.   Seek out help from someone who gets you.  Someone who will guide and support you.

We clearly know if we are overweight or obese, its generally obvious.  Understanding and solution  would go a long way to encouraging weight loss and dealing with our obesity health crisis. Numbers from outdated charts are no longer relevant.

If you find yourself needing help with specific weight issues or want a free 30 minute strategy call please contact us at www.savvybariatrics.com.

www.savvybariatrics.com