Undergone Weight Loss Surgery? Unfortunately, today, misconceptions surrounding the causes of obesity still persist, and very often, people make individuals feel ashamed of their weight loss resulting from bariatric surgery.
Many misinformed people think these individuals have “taken the easy way out.” This is an extremely inaccurate assumption because losing weight after bariatric surgery will require hard work, dedication, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Have you undergone weight loss surgery? Feel ashamed?
Today we are going to talk about obesity, the myths surrounding losing weight, and why you shouldn’t feel ashamed about weight loss surgery.
Facts About America’s Obesity Epidemic
Over the past 15 or so years, the incidence of obesity in the United States has risen from approximately 31% to 42%, and the prevalence of class III obesity (formerly known as morbid obesity) has escalated from 5% to 9% of the adult population. 19 states now report adult obesity levels of over 35%, whereas a decade ago there were no states in this category.
What Underlying Causes Contribute to Weight Gain?
Obesity researchers have identified many potential root causes of obesity, but the condition is still very much an enigma. It is hard to understand why some individuals can drop 20 pounds rather uneventfully while others experience little to no weight loss under the same circumstances.
According to the CDC, weight gain occurs when an individual consumes more calories than they burn in a day. This is a basic truth; however, there may be reasons beyond a person’s control that cause them to burn calories very slowly or even not burn them at all but store them as fat.
Much like an engine, people must properly maintain their metabolism to ensure it runs efficiently. When it is not provided with the things it needs to function optimally or an outside influence is inhibiting its functionality, weight gain can occur.
Heredity, menopause, stress, metabolism, malignancies, psychological, hormonal, and neurological impairments, medications, and some medical conditions can influence obesity.
Busting the Willpower Myth
One of the most damaging myths that higher-weight individuals project onto themselves and others is the belief that willpower drives weight loss. Furthermore, they also believe that internal forces completely drive willpower. This is a seriously inaccurate belief because, while you will need willpower and discipline to govern your choices (making healthy food selections vs. unhealthy ones), this puts ALL the responsibility for an individual’s obesity back on them and assumes they are in complete control.
The situation is much more complicated than most people believe. Habits, routines, physical environment, social circles, hormones, metabolism, brain chemistry, the amount of sleep an individual has gotten, and their level of stress greatly influence an individual’s ability to make the correct choices.
In their book titled “Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength,” authors Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney discuss this perplexing issue. They discuss the fact that the body has its own will and reacts intuitively to the things that we do.
Your body may tolerate a diet once or twice, but after that, it will begin to adapt, storing additional body fat despite a calorie deficit. If the body anticipates a food shortage, it will take the necessary steps to prepare for it. The human metabolism does not understand weight-loss diets.
Why Do People Feel They Must Come Up with Excuses for Weight Loss Surgery?
When questioned, most bariatric patients will reveal that they did not want anyone to know and wanted to hide weight loss surgery from most of their friends, family members, and co-workers.
One reason for this is society’s reinforcement of the theme that an individual’s decisions regarding nutrition and physical activity lead to obesity. Another incorrect and widely held belief is that bariatric surgery is unnecessary for significant weight loss. The social stigma caused by this flawed thinking causes higher-weight individuals to feel inadequate or like something is wrong with them because they are unable to lose weight on their own.
Misinformed people feel that individuals who choose to undergo weight loss surgery want to avoid the hard work. However, the exact opposite is true. Individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery will tell you that there is nothing easy about the journey. Instead, many see it as a life-saving measure when all past efforts at weight loss have failed.
We should hail bariatric surgery patients as brave individuals who are not afraid to seek help for a situation they couldn’t handle alone.
Society is Blindly Aiding the Rising Obesity Epidemic
Are you starting to see a pattern here? We are all taught the basic truths about how to treat people in kindergarten. Whereas, society as a whole is causing over 41% of the population to feel inadequate. And, to the point that these individuals do not seek help for their condition.
When considering obesity as a disease, several questions arise. Should we blame individuals and withhold help if outside forces hinder their weight loss efforts? Can we hold cancer patients responsible for their condition? Moreover, does past behavior negate the right to seek treatment assistance?
We need to actively address the obesity epidemic in America, and one of the first critical steps in this process is to educate society as a whole on the complexities of the disease of obesity.
Why You Shouldn’t Feel Ashamed About Weight Loss Surgery
Numerous common factors contributing to individuals feeling guilt about undergoing bariatric surgery and either keeping it a secret or fearing criticism from friends and family if they do reveal it include:
- They do not wish to be told about the awful experiences of others.
- They do not wish to be called into question or explain their reasons.
- They are struggling to admit they require help and support to lose weight.
- They do not want to hear that they simply need to work harder to lose weight.
How to Hide Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery improves health and quality of life, but many people hide the fact that they have had it. A stigma associated with obesity and weight loss surgery exists, implying laziness and a quick fix. Additionally, the misconception that people undergo the surgery for aesthetic purposes contributes to the secrecy surrounding it.
Patients were asked for the best strategies for hiding that they had weight loss surgery. They provided the answers that followed.
- Avoid mentioning your surgery.
- Strategically use your vacation time to recover from bariatric surgery.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to help disguise any changes in your body shape following surgery.
- Push food around your plate during mealtimes to look like you have eaten more than you have.
- If and when you use social media, you should be cautious about what you publish. You might also consider modifying your privacy preferences to restrict who may view your postings.
- Tell only a few trusted friends or family members about your surgery. Utilize the support team at your weight loss clinic and join a support group consisting of others like you who have undergone weight loss surgery. They will understand the struggles you are dealing with and be more “tuned in” to the type of support you need.
Non-surgical Weight Loss is an Option
If you do not want to admit to weight loss surgery, undergo Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) instead. This procedure delivers results that are similar to the bariatric gastric sleeve but without surgery. The recovery time is less than a week, and there are no incisions or scarring.
Performing ESG involves using an endoscope, that is inserted down a patient’s throat to access the stomach. Equipped with a light and camera, the endoscope transmits live video to a nearby monitor for the doctor’s guidance. A special suturing device is then used to reshape and reduce the stomach size to one-fourth of its original size.
After ESG, the patient is unable to eat large portions because their stomach capacity has been significantly reduced. Their digestion process slows down because of the smaller stomach size, causing them to stay “full” for longer periods. ESG is performed as an outpatient procedure, so there is no hospital stay, and patients go home the same day.
Most patients can return to work and resume all normal activities within a few days after ESG. The only post-procedure requirement is following a special diet for a few weeks and maintaining a reduced appetite moving forward. If discreet weight loss is your goal, ESG may be the ideal procedure for you!
Contact IBI Healthcare Institute Today To Learn More
Professionals at IBI Healthcare Institute understand that weight loss surgery should not be ashamed of or made excuses for. They recognize that obesity is a complex disease that affects each person differently.
The underlying factors that lead to obesity are rarely singular, and it is our responsibility to help. You can’t blame obesity on either a lack of willpower or a lack of discipline.
At the IBI Healthcare Institute, we will investigate the underlying causes hindering your weight loss. After that, we will tailor a weight loss plan to help you reach your goals.
If you would like to learn more about non-surgical ESG, and bariatric surgery, available at IBI Healthcare Institute, contact us today! We are here to help and support you throughout your journey to wellness through weight loss. Call or set up your appointment online today!
