Hey there. I was recently asked what I think about weight loss surgery. It’s not the first time I’ve been asked, and it definitely won’t be the last. I want to start by saying I’m not a medical professional. I’m not giving advice here. I’m sharing what I’ve seen and heard through conversations with people who’ve actually gone through it.
If you’re considering weight loss surgery, I think it’s important to get opinions from multiple doctors. This is a major decision, and it’s not one you want to make lightly. I’ve talked to people who are very happy with the results. They’ve lost weight they couldn’t lose through other methods, and they feel like the changes they’ve had to make are worth it. But I’ve also talked to people who developed issues after surgery and started wondering if those problems were caused by the procedure.
One thing I’ve heard several times is that some folks can no longer drink large amounts of water. Others can't eat certain foods anymore. That might sound manageable, but when your whole eating routine and hydration habits have to change, it’s a lot. So my biggest piece of advice is to be sure this is something you really want and something that you’ve discussed with more than one medical provider.
And whether you get surgery or not, you need to have a plan to handle the mental side of weight loss. That’s the part that doesn’t get talked about enough. I believe if someone is at a point where they’re considering surgery, there’s a strong chance they’ve been carrying around thoughts and feelings related to their weight for years. That doesn’t go away just because the scale goes down.
So ask your doctor about that. What’s the strategy for managing the mental and emotional side of this? Because if that’s not addressed, it can lead to the same struggles, just in a smaller body.
And please don’t base your decision on Instagram posts. Seeing someone else’s before and after might be motivating, but their story is not your story. This decision has to be about your situation and no one else’s.
I’d love to hear your experience with weight loss surgery. What’s been great? What’s been difficult? What do you wish you had known beforehand?
And if you’re looking for support as you work on your mindset, habits, and overall approach to health, join me in The YLF Experience. Let’s build something that works for your life.