Building a Weight Loss Support Network

Posted: Oct 01 in Weight Loss Blog by

Build a Good Support NetworkAfter bariatric surgery for weight loss, help from friends, family and the professional staff at your bariatric surgeon’s office may make all the difference in achieving long-term success. Losing weight with bariatric surgery can be a difficult journey, but that journey is different for each individual, so it’s important to tailor the post-surgery experience to your specific needs.

Building a Support Network

There are a lot of resources around you that can become part of your support network. Reach out to groups of people like those listed below to find positive people that you can turn to for encouragement and motivation as you lose weight after weight loss surgery.

Medical Professionals

Research shows that continued interaction with your surgeon throughout the entire weight loss process will improve your chances of success. As your bariatric surgeon knows your individual case better than anyone else, he is the one best equipped to offer you guidance on how to proceed post-surgery, so be sure to ask his opinion on how to build a support network for your individual needs. A dietician may also be helpful in determining proper nutrition, while a psychologist may be able to help if you experience any emotional or mental difficulties pertaining to your weight loss journey.

Support Groups

One of the most positive sources of emotional support after bariatric surgery comes not from professionals, but peers. You should consider joining a weight loss support group, where you can meet, connect and communicate with those who share similar experiences to your own. Support groups will give you a great forum to discuss your journey while also helping you stay motivated to keep up your progress.

Friends and Family

Positive thinking is absolutely key in buoying your emotional state while losing weight. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you in your quest to become healthier. Support groups are a great place to find those kinds of people, but emotional support doesn’t have to come from fellow weight loss patients. Friends, family members, significant others, co-workers—all of them can be important parts of your support network, and emotional support won’t be the only kind you need. Sometimes, support can just mean getting a buddy to keep an eye on the kids while you get a quick workout in.

Ignore the Naysayers

Unfortunately, you may come across those who view your attempts at weight loss in a negative light. Though it’s important not to give up on pre-existing relationships that are valuable to you, those who criticize you for your weight, are in denial of your weight issues, or belittle the difficulties of losing weight may hurt you in your attempts to lose weight by negatively impacting your attitude.

Keep your head up and your spirits light and make sure those around you do as well. The last thing you need right now is some Negative Nancy telling you that you can’t lose the weight. You can and will if you keep your eyes on the prize, so don’t let yourself get discouraged.

 

Comments

3 Responses to “Building a Weight Loss Support Network”
  • Tiffany Bass says:

    Looking for more support? Can’t make it to the support meetings?

    Check out the free telephonic support groups through Bariatric Resource Center at http://www.bsciresourcecenter.com

  • Debra Jones says:

    4 days post-op and feel very good. The precedure could have not gone smoother..Dr. Bass is the best!

  • Rhonda says:

    Happy to say that after Surgery Wednesday Oct 31, am feeling really well. Still sore, but went out and did some shopping this morning and came home feeling a bit tired but overall not bad. Oh had Gastric sleeve done. Current weight loss since starting my journey about 30lbs.

Leave Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.