Bariatric surgery may help you meet your weight-loss, health, and lifestyle goals. However, once you’ve undergone bariatric surgery, you’ll need to learn some new habits to make sure that you lose weight and keep it off. Remember, this is NOT a diet but rather a weight-loss tool to help you change your life.
Nutrition
Regardless of the type of surgery you choose, you’ll need to work with your physician and a dietitian to construct a healthy diet plan to assure both weight loss and good nutrition. You’ll be creating a plan for your new life, therefore it is important to follow it permanently for the sake of protecting your health. Our licensed dietitian can teach you about healthy food choices and new methods of food preparation.
Lifestyle
Undergoing bariatric surgery is a major life-changing experience. You’ll have a whole new set of lifestyle guidelines for maintaining your weight loss and health goals. In the years leading up to the surgery, you may have struggled with the physical, medical, emotional, social, and professional ramifications of obesity. Bariatric surgery may signify the beginning of your healing process in these areas.
Ongoing Support
Meet the challenges in finding your new self with the commitment of ongoing education and support. Talking to a professional about your previous struggles with obesity and your current struggles with your new post-surgery lifestyle can help you understand more about yourself, and help you stay focused on your goals. You may also find that being involved in support groups with other people who have experienced similar struggles can be extremely helpful and help you stay motivated.
Dr. Francesca Ferrentelli facilitates monthly support groups for MyNewSelf/Des Peres Hospital Alumni in Community Room #3, typically on the 2nd and fourth Thursday of the month.
The support group includes education from 6:30 - 7:15 PM, with facilitated support meeting from 7:30 - 8:30 PM. The education component rotates through a variety of topics that are supportive to the weight loss patient's success in maintaining weight loss. This group is structured for and encouraged for all alumni that have had Weight Loss Surgery at Des Peres.
Francesca Ferrentelli, PhD, LPC, has more than 10 years of experience working with surgical weight loss patients.
You Can Do It!
Our team of bariatric surgery professionals is ready to guide you every step of the way on your journey to rediscovering your self-confidence and enjoying a longer, healthier and more active life.
