Psychology Support for Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery can be extremely effective for weight loss, but surgery changes far more than your weight.
The journey can change your relationship with food, your body, and your emotions. It can also change your personal relationships and the way you live your life.
As a Chartered Psychologist specialising in obesity, eating behaviour and weight management, I provide psychological assessment, pre-op preparation and follow-up support for people undergoing bariatric surgery.
My role is not to judge whether somebody is a “good” or “bad” candidate for surgery. Instead, the aim is to understand you as a person, identify anything that could make the journey more difficult, and help you feel as psychologically prepared and supported as possible with that journey.
I provide specialist psychological support for people considering or undergoing bariatric surgery, from initial assessment through to longer-term recovery.
Pre-operative Psychological Assessment
A comprehensive psychological evaluation before surgery, exploring your relationship with food, eating behaviours, mental health, expectations of surgery, coping strategies and readiness for the changes ahead.
I can provide a formal psychological report for your bariatric team.
Pre-operative Preparation & Care Planning
Assessment is not just about identifying whether you are ready for surgery. It can also identify areas where psychological preparation could make the journey easier.
We can develop an individual plan to help you prepare for challenges such as emotional eating, changing your relationship with food, managing expectations, body image, coping with difficult emotions and adjusting to life after surgery. Some of these things can be worked on before problems arise post surgery.
Post-operative Psychological Support
I provide both short-term support for specific difficulties and longer-term psychological care following surgery.
This typically includes support with emotional eating, body image concerns, fear of weight regain, adjusting to changes in weight and identity, managing difficult emotions, or often it is challenging the psychological barriers that may hold you back from fully living your life.
The aim throughout is to help you get the greatest possible benefit from surgery, not only in your weight and health, but in your overall quality of life.