By Dr Jeremy Korman
After a good couple of years of sensational increases of bariatric surgeries performed all over the United States
After a good couple of years of sensational increases of bariatric surgeries performed all over the United States
both weight loss surgeons and researchers are able now to observe the long-term behavior that characterizes weight loss patients. Some of the bariatric patients stop eating in excess, but acquire new compulsive behavior that is potentially harmful to their mental and physical health.
Weight loss surgeons believe awareness is required
In an effort to help bariatric patients understand how the mechanism of addiction works and how is it possible to substitute the object of addiction with something else, bariatric teams often organize seminars on the subject. It is likely that some of the weight loss patients need counseling regarding addictive behavior after weight loss surgery. Addictions that could develop include: alcohol drinking, smoking, compulsive shopping and gambling, etc.
Psychologists believe that unaddressed compulsive behavior may result new addictions.
Called by some psychologists addiction transfer, the phenomenon covers a switch from one substance or compulsive behavior to a new one. After bariatric surgery patients become aware of the importance and the role of a balanced and healthy diet. They also acquire new eating habits and learn to control the nutritional aspects of their lives. While this is indeed a great achievement, weight loss patients might fool themselves into having been cured of underlying emotional issues that stood at the base of food addiction. Relaxed and relieved, they might just develop new addictions, without even noticing what actually happened.
Filling out inner void cannot be done by bariatric surgery
It is not easy to dig deep and identify emotional blockages and uncomfortable feelings that trigger compulsive behavior. All that a great majority of people may observe is that substance-abuse (food, alcohol, smoking, drugs, etc.) induces temporary relief and pleasure. Bariatric surgery regulates eating patterns and behavior, but it will not cure emotional issues. That is for the patient to work on and handle. Sometimes counseling is needed to develop awareness of the compulsive, self-destructive mental and behavioral patterns.
Bariatric patients and alcohol abuse
In the opinion of bariatric specialists alcohol abuse is a serious threat to anyone, but bariatric patients are at a higher risk. Some weight loss surgery procedures change the metabolism of alcohol in the body and patients end up getting drunk having only been drinking a small quantity of alcohol. Further research is needed to confirm the link between bariatric surgery and addiction transfer.
Weight loss surgeons believe awareness is required
In an effort to help bariatric patients understand how the mechanism of addiction works and how is it possible to substitute the object of addiction with something else, bariatric teams often organize seminars on the subject. It is likely that some of the weight loss patients need counseling regarding addictive behavior after weight loss surgery. Addictions that could develop include: alcohol drinking, smoking, compulsive shopping and gambling, etc.
Psychologists believe that unaddressed compulsive behavior may result new addictions.
Called by some psychologists addiction transfer, the phenomenon covers a switch from one substance or compulsive behavior to a new one. After bariatric surgery patients become aware of the importance and the role of a balanced and healthy diet. They also acquire new eating habits and learn to control the nutritional aspects of their lives. While this is indeed a great achievement, weight loss patients might fool themselves into having been cured of underlying emotional issues that stood at the base of food addiction. Relaxed and relieved, they might just develop new addictions, without even noticing what actually happened.
Filling out inner void cannot be done by bariatric surgery
It is not easy to dig deep and identify emotional blockages and uncomfortable feelings that trigger compulsive behavior. All that a great majority of people may observe is that substance-abuse (food, alcohol, smoking, drugs, etc.) induces temporary relief and pleasure. Bariatric surgery regulates eating patterns and behavior, but it will not cure emotional issues. That is for the patient to work on and handle. Sometimes counseling is needed to develop awareness of the compulsive, self-destructive mental and behavioral patterns.
Bariatric patients and alcohol abuse
In the opinion of bariatric specialists alcohol abuse is a serious threat to anyone, but bariatric patients are at a higher risk. Some weight loss surgery procedures change the metabolism of alcohol in the body and patients end up getting drunk having only been drinking a small quantity of alcohol. Further research is needed to confirm the link between bariatric surgery and addiction transfer.
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