We all need support in life, don’t we? Most times, there are few people that will offer their shoulders for us to lie on in moments of crisis.
Weight Loss Riga provides a Facebook Patient Community, an online group that you are welcome to join. Join now to engage with current, former, and prospective patients of weight loss surgery.
The same scenario plays out in the lives of obese individuals. It wouldn’t be out of place to posit that they are one of the most criticized people on earth. Their overweight triggers mixed reactions from the general public and the traumatic effect might trigger thoughts of suicide.
Bariatric surgery now has widespread acceptance as a tool to shed off extra kilos of flesh. While many patients deem it to be the last resort to losing weight, there are other factors that can facilitate the process. As mentioned earlier, support is important at different moments in one’s life, and morbidly obese individuals need it the more to get over their weight loss surgery.
Are Support Groups Important?
Yes, they are. There is an increase in the number of these groups and patients are already buying into the idea. It is, therefore, not surprising that it has attained the recognition as one of the steps to sustaining weight loss after bariatric surgery.
It is worth noting that weight loss surgery helps patients to lose weight. However, it cannot fully dictate the unhealthy habits that patients might turn to after the procedure. That is the reason why it is important to join one of these groups and sustain dramatic weight loss.
Why should I join a Support Group?
Sequel to the importance of these groups, there are many reasons why they are pivotal to the success of your surgery. Have in mind that you need psychological support to cope with the aftermath of the procedure. Support groups as the name suggests are there to help you in walking the tight rope of post-op requirements. If you are looking at shedding off extra kilos of flesh with bariatric surgery, it is important to prepare yourself to join any of the groups closer to you. Patients get the opportunity to ask questions and learn new trends that will shape their new life. We present to you, five (5) cogent reasons why a support group is important in your weight loss journey.
1. Motivation
The world was your oyster when you had a slim figure and can eat as much as you wanted. The same world turns around to “hate” you when the belly starts tucking out and the skin under the arm starts dropping because of your weight gain. You suddenly become unwanted. At this juncture, it is important to find and interact with people that understand you. The feeling of loneliness often replays in the lives of bariatric patients. That is the reason why it is expedient to join a support group that is close to you.
It is important to note that the goal of every bariatric surgery is different. Despite the fact that family and friends might be supportive at the onset, there is a tendency that they will lose track of your new way of life. There are changes that they tend not to comprehend and this might breed disparate thoughts, which can culminate in misunderstanding. It is pertinent to interact with people that are in the same boat as you are. By surrounding yourself with people that understand the decision you took, there will be a general improvement in your life. In addition, it provides the opportunity to overcome the emotional and physical challenges that are a hallmark of weight loss surgery.
In a support group, you get to meet people that have undergone bariatric surgery, those that are intending to, and those are through with theirs. It is a community of like minds and in such a setting, the feeling is mutual and the quest to make the best out of the surgery is a force that places all hands on deck. These groups do not only understand the predicament of members but also encourage and spur participants to take actions that will consolidate their bariatric procedure. It will become clear to you that you are not the only one with the same predicament. In addition, making mention of your expected weight loss goal helps other participants to encourage and hold you accountable until you attain the desired height.
2. Education
Having an idea of what you are getting into is important and that is another reason why support groups make a good impression in the lives of bariatric patients. Most times, they choose to continue with healthy dieting than to pass through the rigors of weight loss surgery. The thoughts of what awaits them after the procedure are addressed in this gathering.
It is important to note that these groups are not just there to motivate patients after the surgery. Even before the procedure, a candidate can get valuable advice that will aid him throughout the process. Most of these groups have a well-structured agenda that are vital to the anticipated outcome. For instance, there are discussions and topic presentations at intervals. During such sessions, participants will have the opportunity of getting valuable answers to posers.
At intervals, patients are allowed to share their thoughts and experiences. These serve as a foundation of knowledge that will buoy their next move. Do not expect to have patient-based discussions. In most cases, external speakers are invited to instruct patients on what they need to know. The personnel is drawn from different fields. Fitness instructors stake patients on the best way to keep fit during and after bariatric surgery. The dietitian offers professional advice on the best meal to take and how to go about it. On their part, psychologists coaches and offers soothing advice to patients that are at the point of giving up.
You will reckon that all these wouldn’t have been possible when confined to your house. By interacting with other patients in the group, you get validation on the importance of the surgery. It is also an opportunity to get insights about weight loss surgery, and feel good about the path you choose.
3. Share Your Story
Will your old time friends be willing to listen to your tales of weight loss? Certainly, they will be happy with your “new found figure”. However, do not expect them to spend hours listening to what transpired during your periods of weight loss. First, they didn’t “walk the process” with you. They never knew your challenges. Hence, it might not make much impact recalling your story to them
On the contrary, support groups have their ears pricked up – willing to listen to your success story. While being a participant, you tend to share your expectations. It will be a joy to see the same made manifest. The reason why you should get out of the recluse that comes with passing through the knife is to interact and listen to the successes other patients have recorded. Support groups provide the opportunity to share your story and inspire others with it.
It is a time of double celebration for patients. First, they got inspired by the success of other patients and this helped them to keep off and sustain their weight. Second and most importantly, through the success they achieved, other patients will get the inspiration to continue with their weight loss goals.
However, as the celebration is ongoing, take note not to lose focus. Always maintain a healthy diet, regular exercises and consult the doctor. On the flip side, there are major challenges that could have impeded the success of the surgery. The patient’s ability played a great role in the effective sustenance of the extra kilos of flesh. So, as you celebrate the wins, learn from the losses and use these as leverage to maintain a balanced stand on your weight loss goals.
4. Find answers to Questions
Despite the fact that the chances of making it alive after weight loss surgery are high, there are pertinent questions that occupy the minds of patients. If left unattended, they tend to dissuade their continuation with the procedure. In a support group, patients are free to ask questions and get answers to dissuade their worries.
It is quite true that doctors offer medical advice on the best approach to make the best out of weight loss surgery, but they do not actually have the first-hand experience of what patients pass through during and after weight loss surgery. Support groups provide the best medium to interact with patients. When questions, personal convictions, and anticipated risks are thrown open, you stand the chance of getting the right answers from people who have been there. The group provides insight into the actual outcome of bariatric surgery and also creates a room for patients to get answers to pertinent questions.
The overall essence is to get validation about the surgery. The diverse perceptions and recounted experiences of people who’ve passed through the knife will put to rest the negative notions you might have held. In addition, it gives you the adrenaline rush to take the cue and prepare for weight loss surgery and the zeal to sustain weight loss.
5. Support Groups keep you committed
There are times when your eyes tend to get off the track. Most times, this is usually the case after a significant amount of weight has been shed off. At this point, it is a call to duty for the group to set you back on track. The temptations of consuming calories and other restricted foods are high, and it only takes a disciplined patient to resist such.
The fact that scheduled meetings come up at intervals creates a loophole for patients to get back to old habits. However, it is the accountability of participants that ensure a hitch-free recovery process. In the event of a lag, the group offers advice and encourages patients to remain focused and never derail from their weight loss goals.
When you keep up with visits, there is a tendency that you will get the opportunity to rededicate yourself to your weight loss expectations.
Do I Pay to Join a Support Group?
The group is basically for people that are about to or have undergone bariatric surgery. There are disparate views on becoming a member. While some groups charge a nominal fee, others offer services at no cost. However, the latter (free support groups) are for patients that paid the fee before the surgery. Typically, the clinic or hospital settles the bills for their membership of a support group. It is important to verify the conditions of joining the group before undergoing the procedure. A completely free support group is available through Weight Loss Riga's Facebook group, which is a Patient Community made up of current and past patients.
How do I locate one?
If you did not sign up for the service before the surgery, ask the doctor to recommend one. You can also search online to locate a support group nearer to you. At Weight Loss Riga, an online Patient Community is easily available to you on Facebook. Join now to engage with current and past patients of weight loss surgery!
Days of Appointment
There is no specific time when a support group meets. While some schedule appointments on weekly basis, some others might fix theirs several times within the week or once a month. While making a choice, choose a support group whose appointment days are convenient for you.
Aspects of a Support Group
There are certain factors to look out for when making the choice of a support group. While some might not offer all these, there are a good number of groups out there that can meet up with the requirements.
- Guest Speakers: The group is not centralized. Occasionally, guest speakers from different fields that are of importance for maximum weight loss, are featured in the group. Most times, a medical practitioner moderates the group and guides patients in their weight loss goals.
- Consistent Appointments: Meeting days is one of the hallmarks of a good support group. The scheduling (such as weekly or monthly) helps you to keep a date with the group and learn new trends that will aid your weight loss.
- Education and Dialogue: The moderators do not only offer value help but also encourage patients to ask questions and get the right answers.
- Encouragement: The group is there to support patients. Participants are allowed to share their struggles and triumphs as a means of encouraging others to stick to their goals.
Reach Out
Your weight loss goals can be achieved when you network with like-minds. Even outside the meeting place, you can continue interactions with new friends. In addition, establish contacts with online support groups. We recommend Weight Loss Riga as a clinic to get not just weight loss surgery, but a place to get the necessary support you might need. The journey can be rough and bumpy but with support groups and encouragement of people that understand your plight (such as Weight Loss Riga), you can shed off the extra kilos of flesh and achieve an hour-glass figure. Join Weight Loss Riga's support group on Facebook. It's free!
