WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

Are you thinking about bariatric-metabolic surgery?

No one knows more about your struggle with weight loss than you do. You’ve memorized the expert advice and you repeat it to yourself like a mantra, “I just need to eat less and exercise more. I just need to…” Even though you try hard, you still feel frustrated and stuck.

What is obesity?

Obesity is when your body has a lot of excess body fat. Obesity is caused by several things- genetics, how your body burns calories, your environment, the culture you grew up in, and your current lifestyle.1 Obesity can negatively impact many aspects of your health including how long you live.2

Are you thinking about bariatric-metabolic surgery?

Most people think that you gain weight when you take in more calories than you burn. However, this is not the entire story.3 It’s important for you to know that some of the things that affect weight loss are under your control and some of these things are out of your control. Bariatric-metabolic surgery helps to address the things related to your metabolism that make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Lifestyle changes are necessary to maintain a healthy weight after surgery. I work with you to make sure your surgery is a success.

Are you thinking about bariatric-metabolic surgery?

Most people think that you gain weight when you take in more calories than you burn. However, this is not the entire story.3 It’s important for you to know that some of the things that affect weight loss are under your control and some of these things are out of your control. Bariatric-metabolic surgery helps to address the things related to your metabolism that make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Lifestyle changes are necessary to maintain a healthy weight after surgery. I work with you to make sure your surgery is a success.

Do you offer pre-surgical psychological evaluations for bariatric-metabolic surgery?

Yes. I provide evidence-based pre-surgical psychological evaluations for bariatric-metabolic surgery. Our consultation will help you understand your strengths and the areas that need improvement. I will also provide you with additional resources and support so that you are as successful as possible with your surgery.

I’m thinking about surgery. How can therapy help me?

I know that you face real barriers in your life and I want to know what gets in your way. We will talk about how to prepare for surgery and how to adjust to life after surgery. We will also talk about daily monitoring, mindful eating, cues for eating and physical activity, your behavioral chain, eating in social situations, and getting back on track after a lapse. Research shows that you can lose more weight and keep the weight off longer when you add behavioral therapy to your existing low-calorie diet and physical activity routine.8-9

I’ve already had surgery. How can therapy help me?

Life after surgery can feel unsettling even with significant weight loss. I provide treatment focused your specific concerns. Research shows that behavioral therapy can reduce things that may lead to weight regain after surgery.10 These might include emotions about weight regain, mood problems11, concerns about body image due to excess or sagging skin, stigma about surgery, adjustment to life after surgery, starting a family after surgery, problematic eating behaviors such as binge eating or purging12, and even substance misuse.13-14

Do you treat Eating Disorders?

Yes. Eating disorders can show up before and after surgery. I provide evidence-based treatment for several types of eating disorders including Binge Eating Disorder, Night Eating Syndrome, and Bulimia. I also provide psychological treatment for emotional eating, graze eating, and other eating difficulties.

I’ve already had surgery. How can therapy help me?

To get the most out of therapy, you will describe your weight loss or eating problems to help me understand what your experience is like. You will also need to attend sessions regularly, complete self-monitoring activities, and follow all recommendations between sessions. I may need to talk with other members of your health care team to better understand your specific situation.

Can I use my health insurance?

You may be able to use your health insurance to reimburse a significant portion of the cost. Contact me to learn more!

Why should I work with Dr. Baughn?

Our work together is based on understanding and compassion for your specific situation. I work with bariatric-metabolic surgery patients before and after surgery in my current role at a major medical center. My membership in the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery helps me to stay current in this rapidly developing area.

How do I get started?

Click here to book a free 20 minute phone consultation with me, send a message, or call at 813-591-3794 and let’s get you from where you are to where you want to be!

References

  1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Obesity Education Initiative Expert Panel. 2000. The practical guide: Identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults (NIH Publication No 00-4084). Bethesda, MD: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
  2. Cefalu,W., Bray,G., Home, P., et al. Advances in the Science, Treatment, and Prevention of the Disease of Obesity: Reflections From a Diabetes Care Editors’ Expert Forum. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(8):1567-1582. DOI: 10.2337/dc15-1081
  3. Brownell, K. & Walsh, B., eds. Eating Disorders and Obesity: A Comprehensive Handbook. 3rd ed. New York, NY: The Guilford Press; 2017.
  4. Hanipah, Z., Aminian, A., & Schauer, P. Surgical Treatment of Obesity. In: Wadden, T., & Bray, G., eds. Handbook of Obesity Treatment. 2nd ed. New York, NY: The Guilford Press; 2018: 367-392.
  5. Lutz, T. & Bueter, M. The physiology underlying roux-en-y gastric bypass: a status report. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2014;307:R1275–R1291. DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00185.2014
  6. Gloy, V., Briel, M., & Bhatt, D., et al. Bariatric surgery versus non-surgical treatment for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ: Br Med J. 2013;347:f5934. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.f5934
  7. Ribaric, G., Buchwald, J. & McGlennon, T. Diabetes and weight in comparative studies of bariatric surgery vs. conventional medical therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes. Surg. 2014;24(3):437-55. DOI: 10.1007/s11695-013-1160-3
  8. Jacob A, Moullec G, Lavoie KL, et al. Impact of cognitive-behavioral interventions on weight loss and psychological outcomes: A meta-analysis. Health Psychol. 2018;37(5):417-432. DOI: 10.1037/hea0000576
  9. Jensen M, Ryan D, Donato K, et al. Guidelines (2013) for managing overweight and obesity in adults. Obesity. 2014;22(S2):S1-S410. DOI: 10.1002/oby.20818
  10. Paul, L., van der Heiden, C., & Hoek, H. Cognitive behavioral therapy and predictors of weight loss in bariatric surgery patients. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2017;6:474-479. DOI: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000359
  11. Muller, A., Hase, C., Pommnitz, M., & de Zwaan, M. Depression and Suicide After Bariatric Surgery. Current Psychiatry Reports. 2019;21:84. DOI: 10.1007/s11920-019-1069-1
  12. Williams-Kerver, G., Steffen, K., & Mitchell, J. Eating Pathology After Bariatric Surgery: an Updated Review of the Recent Literature. Current Psychiatry Reports. 2019;21:86. DOI: 10.1007/s11920-019-1071-7
  13. Jumbe, S., Hamlet, C., & Meyrick, J. Psychological aspects of bariatric surgery as treatment for obesity. Curr Obes Rep. 2017;6:71-78. DOI: 10.1007/s13679-017-0242-2
  14. Li, L. & Wu, L. Substance use after bariatric surgery: A review. J Psychiatr Res. 2016;76:16-29. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.01.009