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When people think of bariatric surgery, weight loss and better health are often the first things that come to mind. But did you know that these procedures can help patients live better in every aspect of life, including their emotional and mental health? There’s more to the amazing perks than meets the eye, so read on to learn more about 4 mental benefits of weight-loss surgery!
Self-Esteem
Obesity takes a toll on the body by affecting health and physical ability, but it can also affect self-esteem. According to the Obesity Action Coalition, many people are subject to negative comments about their weight from strangers, peers, and even loved ones starting as early as childhood. Societal pressure and unrealistic standards of appearance being instilled in people so young can cause problems well into adulthood.
As people gain weight and are treated more derisively, they are more likely to internalize the negativity and believe that they deserve less than those with a healthier BMI. The AAP News & Journals published a study following children and teens of varying weights and found that children suffering from obesity were 2 to 4 times more likely to have lower self-esteem than their peers – 1 of 3 obese boys and 2 of 3 obese girls.
Society does little to mitigate these feelings; TV, advertisements, and other media idolize unattainable physiques and promote unhealthy lifestyles.
However, a study in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found that the inverse is also true. As patients lose weight, they receive less negativity from others and themselves; leading to a dramatic boost in their self-esteem. Weight-loss surgery is the best way for people to lose anywhere from 50 to 70% of their excess weight and keep it off long-term, leading to a life of healthy self-esteem.
Depression
Obesity and depression are conditions that, in some cases, go hand in hand. Medical researchers have noticed an above average correlation between these two conditions such as a study referenced by the New York Times which found that young adults with depression gained more weight over a 15-year period than those without.
Professionals have noticed this relationship because obesity and depression can feed into each other. In some cases, an increased appetite is a byproduct of depression which can lead to rapid weight gain. Both overweight and depression can create physical and mental hurdles between people and an active lifestyle, making it harder to mitigate weight gain. Likewise, someone who is depressed might struggle even more with healthy living as they are more aware of their condition and not recognize how worthwhile it is to live better.
However, weight loss has been shown to help reduce the effects of depression. An article by the Obesity Action Coalition noted that patients with depression who chose weight-loss surgery saw a 13% decrease in depression symptoms 6 months after surgery and 18% after a full year!
Body Image
Body image isn’t just about how our bodies objectively look – it’s about how we see ourselves. The pervasive culture of unrealistic body and beauty standards that we are exposed to from birth can make it much harder for heavier people to view themselves positively. Negative body image can start as early as childhood or set in during adulthood, and has been linked to the development of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, overeating, and binge eating.
The trouble with body image is that it differs for every person. Some people believe that reaching a certain weight or dress size will solve all of their problems, but many find they struggle with body image even then. That’s because a healthy body image comes from inside of ourselves and the understanding that our value isn’t dependent on weight or waist size.
Weight-loss surgery is a fantastic tool to help patients build self-confidence while they get healthy and lose their excess weight. Approaching or achieving a goal weight also means a dramatic change in how our bodies look. This helps patients feel better about themselves, providing them with more time and a better mindset to examine their lives. Clearer headspaces allow for people to focus on healthiness over thinness, helping them love themselves for their accomplishments rather than solely how they look.
Quality of Life
We hear it all the time from our patients: “I felt like I was wasting my life,” “I was miserable,” “I wasn’t who I wanted to be.” Obesity keeps people from living their lives to the fullest – taking tolls on health, mobility, ability, and mood, all of which can lead to an overall reduction of their quality of life.
Thankfully, weight-loss surgery can help! Patients who opt for bariatric procedures generally lose a majority of their excess weight, which helps give them the confidence and strength to puruse the life they want to lead. After their procedures, our patients tell us all about how they can be active with their children, shop for the clothes they want in any store, stop needing certain medications, and generally live healthier and feel better.
Other Benefits of Weight-Loss Surgery
In addition to the mental benefits it provides, weight-loss surgery helps in every aspect of a patient’s life. There is no better weight-loss tool than bariatric surgery – with some procedures, patients lose over half of their excess weight on average and keep it off for as long as 12 years! Better yet, weight isn’t the only thing that patients overcome; many see improvements to, prevention of, and remission from many weight-related conditions, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- COPD
- High blood pressure
- Joint pain
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Kidney diseases
- Hormone-related cancers
Plus, minimally-invasive procedures make weight loss accessible to even more people. NYBG’s surgeons use cutting-edge techniques that help reduce the amount of time needed to get back on your feet post-surgery. Most patients can go home the next day and are back to work within 1 to 3 weeks, with minimal pain and little to no scarring.
Whatever you want to get out of your weight loss, NYBG is here to help maximize your results. From helping you meet all your specialists under one roof to the safest procedures performed by the best surgeons in the field, we have everything you need to start your journey!
COME TO NYBG.
When it’s time to start a successful weight-loss journey, it’s time to call NYBG! We’re the best practice around and our numbers prove it:
- 13 skilled surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics
- 15,000 successful procedures performed with more every day
- The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
- 24/7 access to online seminars
- 100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and showcasing previous patients
- Multiple offices located in three states; NY, NJ, CT
- Since 2000, we boast 18 years of success!
Our commitment to patient success and excellence has earned us accreditation from the Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This prestigious achievement recognizes only the top bariatric practices. Stop waiting; start achieving better health today.
