Hi, I'm Gretchen Ames, a board-certified, clinical health psychologist, working with the Bariatric Surgery team at Mayo Clinic.
Most patients I meet have never given up on trying to lose weight. They often feel frustrated with losing and gaining many pounds over the years. The causes of obesity are complicated and may include some factors you have not considered, like your genetics, health problems, chronic stress, injury and disability, chronic sleep loss, or taking medications that promote weight gain. Common mistaken beliefs about obesity, or that it is a choice, it is easily reversible and that the right way to lose weight is to eat less and to exercise more. The longer you have been living with obesity, the less likely lifestyle change recommendations alone will be effective for you. If you are concerned about your health and are unable to lose weight despite your best efforts at changing you're eating and your physical activity habits, it may be time to consider bariatric surgery.
When considering bariatric surgery, I often encourage patients to make a list of meaningful activities they have put off doing because of their health problems, physical discomfort, or distress about body size. This helps create a new vision for life after surgery and strengthens commitment to lifestyle change.
Patients often feel increasingly hopeful and confident about managing their weight after bariatric surgery.