Making the decision to have weight loss surgery (or bariatric surgery) requires significant thought and consideration. There is a lot to process: surgeons, hospitals, the pre op diet, how to manage recovery, finances, and the surgery itself. You probably have some hesitations and it may feel easier and safer to hang on to where you are right now. Change can be scary and daunting.
Perhaps though, you may have determined that staying on the same path is not sustainable for your long-term health and longevity. You know you need to make a change, and you want to see and feel a difference in your body. You’ve got lots of questions, but are excited, curious, and keen for a healthier future.
So how do you make that leap? From staying safe and content where you are today, to letting go, committing to weight loss surgery, and feeling confident, happy and dedicated to the processes required to meet your health goals? If you are considering weight loss surgery (whether that be gastric sleeve surgery, lap band surgery, or gastric bypass surgery), read on and explore the tactics below to help you feel confident to committing to this change.
What is your ‘why’?
As you investigate the potential of weight loss surgery and how it might benefit you, spend time determining your true motivations. Work out what you really want to achieve from this procedure. Weighing less, and reaching a certain goal weight are obvious answers, but delve deeper. Why is weighing less important to you?
Finding your ‘why’ allows you to work out your priorities. Your honesty will ensure you’re taking on weight loss surgery for the right reasons, and you will discover what sets you alight with joy and optimism for the future.
Think about the following to help you determine your ‘why’:
- What don’t you like about your health and where it is now?
- Where would you like your health to be?
- How do you imagine your life will be different after having weight loss surgery?
- What changes do you want to see – in your body, diet, activities, and habits?
- What you are hoping to achieve, do, try or be when you achieve your goal weight?
Non-scale victories
Having a goal weight can be a great motivator, but try to think broader than the number on the scale. Determining some ‘non-scale victories’ is another way to feel confident about the potential of weight loss surgery. Non-scale victories are health improvements that result from small life changes. And they may go unnoticed if the scale is your only measure of your success.
What are some non-scale victories you would like to work towards? You might like to consider:
- Fitting into a special outfit
- Swimming in the ocean or going to the beach
- Wearing shorts
- Dropping a clothing size, belt notch, or bra size
- Sleeping without waking, or using sleeping aids
- Completing a 5km fun run
- Playing with your kids or grand children at the park
- No longer having to take certain medications or seeing improvements in medical markers
- Walking around the golf course rather than riding the buggy
Celebrate every success
Prior to weight loss surgery it is useful to plan how you will celebrate your successes – big ones, small ones, non-scale victories and all your new behavioural habits. Losing weight can be tough and acknowledging every win along the way will help to keep you positive.
When you hit a special milestone or are feeling proud of yourself, you could reward yourself by:
- Organising a night out or weekend away with friends
- Buying tickets to the movies or your favourite sporting event
- Booking a class to learn a new skill
- Scheduling a pampering session – a manicure, facial or massage
- Posting your photos on a social media or community support site
- Buying a little something that makes you feel fabulous
A positive mindset
Always endeavour to approach weight loss surgery with a positive mindset. Being positive will keep you motivated and continue to propel you forward. You’ll be enthusiastic to all the things you are working towards and feel confident in your ability to achieve your goal, however long that takes.
Be mindful of using phrases that start with ‘I just…’ and ‘I only…’ Have faith in your potential and give yourself credit. Every small win is a step in the right direction. Lost 500grams this week? Awesome! Lost one centimetre from your waist? Terrific! Walked around the block every day? – Brilliant! Dropped one clothing size? – tick tick tick!
Make the commitment
It is helpful to write down your why, non-scale victories and how you will celebrate your successes. You might like to stick them on the fridge, create a poster, note them down in a journal, or have them on post-it notes next to your computer. Refer to them all regularly. If you are feeling discouraged or side tracked, being able to see and refer to them easily will help to keep you motivated.
Making change can be challenging. Appreciate that there will almost inevitably be setbacks from time to time. However, spending time in advance considering your why, committing to staying positive, and preparing to celebrate every success and non-scale victory, will make committing to weight loss surgery easier. And you will be confident about your potential for success and your new healthier future.
Remember, weight loss surgery is so much more than just a surgical procedure, instead it is a commitment to a whole new way of life. Find out more about our bariatric surgery programme here.