Perhaps you’ve recently had bariatric surgery, and you’re full of expectations about all the weight you’ll lose. Weeks – and maybe months – go by, but somehow you feel as though you don’t look any different. People who are close to you may notice weight loss, but when you look in the mirror, you can’t see a change.
Why Does This Occur?
First of all, this is a pretty common situation people run into after bariatric surgery, and there’s a good explanation. Remember when you were a kid, and relatives who hadn’t seen you in a while would all say how much you’d grown – but as far as you were concerned, you didn’t notice much difference? Now, however, you realize that you did grow as a kid. You can see it in pictures of yourself over the years. As a kid, you just didn’t see it from that perspective. That’s the key: perspective.
You’ve just gone through one of the most powerful weight loss interventions available, and you will lose weight. However, you live with yourself 24 hours a day. So, second to second, hour to hour, day to day, if you look in the mirror, you are not going to notice a drastic change. On the other hand, if you let a month go by before the next time you looked in the mirror, odds are you would notice a change.
Still, actually seeing a change in weight can be difficult, because you’ve become accustomed to seeing yourself in a certain way. If you are having trouble noticing a change, here’s something you can try:
- Step 1: Stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself.
- Step 2: While you’re in front of the mirror, put on a piece of clothing you used to wear before your bariatric surgery.
- Step 3: Notice how that piece of clothing fits you; remember how it used to fit; and describe to yourself out loud how it fits now.
- Step 4: Take that piece of clothing off and save it for the next time you look in the mirror.
What these steps do is force your brain to see your reflection in the mirror from a different perspective so you can actually notice how much change has occurred. It may take some time to get used to seeing that change, but you will, and you’ll like what you see. QCBN
Is weight loss surgery the right option?
Weight loss surgery is major surgery, not to be taken lightly. It is not a “magic bullet,” but a tool to use alongside dietary and lifestyle modifications. Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Clinic helps patients prepare well in advance of their surgery.
The clinical team, including surgeons, nurses, a psychologist, a dietitian and a patient advocate, works together to guide patients to make behavioral changes before and after surgery, including exercise and eating habits as well as fluid and vitamin intake. Surgery is not a guarantee. The success of each patient’s surgery depends on the patient’s commitment to lifelong behavioral changes.
If you are considering weight loss surgery, Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Clinic invites you to attend a free information session prior to making an appointment with our surgical staff. Information sessions are held the second Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 1175 W. Route 66 in Flagstaff. These sessions include a presentation by our surgical staff regarding the causes and health complications of obesity, as well as the types of surgeries available. To register, call 928-214-3737. To learn more about the Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Clinic, visit NAHealth.com.
By John B. Martin, Ph.D.
John B. Martin, Ph.D., is a psychologist who works at the Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Clinic located at Flagstaff Medical Center.
Northern Arizona Healthcare provides healthcare services through Flagstaff Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center, Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group – Flagstaff, Verde Valley Medical Clinic, Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare, EntireCare Rehab & Sports Medicine, Fit Kids of Arizona, Guardian Air, Guardian Medical Transport, Heart & Vascular Center of Northern Arizona, Northern Arizona Homecare, Northern Arizona Hospice and Valley View Care.
To learn more about the programs and services offered at Northern Arizona Healthcare, visit NAHealth.com. “Like” NAH at Facebook.com/NorthernArizonaHealthcare.