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Nervous About Your Upcoming Weight Loss Surgery? Gain Control of Your Anxiety with These Top Five Tips
Having anxiety or feeling apprehensive or even fearful regarding your upcoming weight loss surgery is completely normal and totally understandable. Here are five tips to help nix nerves fast.
Dealing with anxiety issues prior to undergoing bariatric surgery is common but should be controlled to the best of the patient’s ability to avoid unnecessary complications and possible impediments on the crucial recovery process. So, it’s imperative to implement some relaxation-inducing tactics to help quell your disquiet and concern, ensuring a smooth procedure sure to get you on your road to recovery – and amazing results.
Follow these nerve-nixing strategies suggested by top leaders in the world of bariatrics:
- Know Before You Go
Knowledge is power. Understand what exactly your specific bariatric procedure entails, including how to prepare, what to expect during the recovery process, when you’re likely to see results, etc. Seek out online forums of past patients who’ve gone through the process. Procuring knowledge and advice from patients
who’ve experienced the process firsthand will help ease your anxiety and apprehension and will confirm you’re not alone. Remember there isn’t anything you cannot find on the internet. It’s a treasure trove of information that can help you in every step of the surgical process.
- Speak Up
Ask questions – a lot of them! Dr. Feiz employs an entire bariatric team for each patient, with each member specializing in a different aspect of the surgery process from pre to post and beyond. Having a reliable team of compassionate, talented individuals that you can build a rapport with will prove to be a cornerstone in your weight loss success. Every patient should feel comfortable calling or contacting their doctor at any time during their treatment. This is non-negotiable.
- Stay – and Keep – Busy
Divert your seemingly incorrigible anxiety to more useful and productive energy. Some patients will dive into their school or workloads to distract from their racing, pre-surgery musings. Others will take up a new hobby or start a passion project they’ve been putting off. Simply turn that soul-sucking energy into a soul-soothing one! Other ideas include reading, writing/journaling, binge-watching intriguing documentaries/docu-series, working out, walking, hiking, visiting museums, etc. The possibilities are endless.
- Find Your Zen Zone
Relaxation techniques, such as mindful breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, walking, reading, drawing, painting, or even prayer have long been proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and enhance quality of life for anyone, not just weight loss patients. From weight to work, everybody can benefit from getting in the Zen zone. Practicing different meditation techniques will also offer you clarity and clear your consciousness of unwanted, pervasive thoughts and needless worries. Other relaxation methods can include massage therapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, aromatherapy, infrared sauna, spa services, and hypnosis. Pick your “poison” and put your uncertainties to rest.
- Keep Expectations in Check
Know you’re not going to wake up with a supermodel-esque body upon emerging from your anesthesia. At least not for a few years, anyway. Keep in mind while weight will begin to melt away rather quickly following surgery, it will take at least six months to lose half of the excess weight. Then, expect a frustrating plateau to hit for about a year before the final destination is reached and the weight loss goal is realized. With that being said, have patience, trust the process, and take your recovery day by day. Don’t forget to follow-up with your bariatric team of doctors, specialists, dieticians, etc. Stay engaged, ask questions, and keep your eye on the prize. Get involved with your recovery and health. Follow your doctor’s recommendations on physical activity, as well as your dietician’s meal plan recs to ensure best possible outcomes with little to no complications.
Now that you have some indispensable, easy-to-follow tips at the ready to help alleviate pre-surgery anxiety, here’s a little of what not to do! DON’T type “weight loss surgery gone wrong” into the search bar. No surgical procedure, irrespective of type, is 100% perfect, successful, or even guaranteed. Every procedure has its own set of “horror stories,” no matter how rare. The best advice? Don’t go seeking these stress-inducing stories out. Doing so will only further fuel anxiety. Instead, be sure all complications and risks are disclosed and discussed way before the surgery date is set. This will help offer clarity and insight, quelling any reservations regarding surgery. Oftentimes, complications arise from lack of preparation and knowledge, not following post-op protocols, or being lax about wound care during the recovery period.
One More Thing…
All patients should feel comfortable communicating their fears, doubts, misgivings, etc., with their bariatric surgical team at ANY time during the treatment process – without question. When nerves seem to be taking over and getting the best of you, it’s important to communicate these issues with your doctor without feeling additional worry, concern, or insecurity. Securing a reliable support system, along with your surgical team, is a great way to help mitigate the myriad of pre-surgery angsts. You’re never alone and you aren’t the first person to be embarking on this body-bettering journey you’ve waited so long for. Millions of people undergo bariatric surgery each year, so know you’re in good company.
