At Am I Hungry?, we have a saying: It’s not about the food. Which is one of the reasons diets and medications don’t resolve eating issues. Even bariatric surgeons agree that bariatric surgery is a tool, not a quick fix. This is a critical point because a tool can do nothing on its own; it requires skillful management by a knowledgeable user to work effectively.
Therefore, results following bariatric surgery depend on learning to use that tool effectively and consistently to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. That’s where mindful eating comes in…
Bariatric Surgery: No Quick Fix
When people ask my opinion about bariatric surgery, I have to admit that it’s a tough question because many of those who decide to try surgery believe that they’ve tried everything else. Most have never even heard of mindful eating.
Some believe (or hope) that having bariatric surgery will solve all their problems—but nothing could be further from the truth. For example, if you’re an “emotional eater,” the situations and emotions that triggered eating in the past are unlikely to disappear simply because you’ve chosen to have bariatric surgery. As one patient said, “They didn’t operate on my brain!”
Some discover they miss their friend, food, leaving them with a feeling of loss. As one person told me, “I’ve cut out my coping skill!” (This may contribute to the problem of other addictions that can arise following surgery.)
Others believe that after surgery they won’t need to think about their eating anymore. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Without the additional tool of mindful eating, bariatric surgery can feel like a permanent diet that continues to consume your life.
Some hope they can have surgery then just forget about it. In addition to lifelong supplements and laboratory monitoring, you’ll need to become conscious about eating in order to use this tool optimally. If you’re not mindful about your eating, this “tool” can cause you to experience uncomfortable, even serious consequences—and you’ll be far less likely to get the results you hoped for.
Bottom line: It breaks my heart to see people invest so much, yet continue to struggle with their relationship with food.
Adjusting to a “New Normal”
Since 1999, tens of thousands of people have used Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Programs and/or read Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat, to resolve their difficult eating issues. There are often people in our workshops and retreats who have already had bariatric surgery. They explain that surgery did not fix their “real problem” and/or that they need additional skills to cope with their “new normal.”
Bariatric Surgery and Mindful Eating
Mindfulness is beneficial because it teaches us to focus our attention and awareness on what is happening right now, which in turn, helps us disengage from habitual, unsatisfying, and unskillful habits and behaviors.
Specifically, mindful eating skills help resolve the mindless habits and emotional eating issues that lead to problems after bariatric surgery:
- Eating too quickly
- Taking large bites
- Not chewing thoroughly
- Eating while distracted leading to overconsumption
- Not savoring food and therefore having difficulty feeling satisfied with small volumes of food
- Eating too much leading to vomiting and/or distention of the pouch
- Grazing throughout the day
- Eating “slider” foods and high-calorie soft foods and liquids, often in response to emotional triggers
- Not consuming enough protein or nutrient-rich foods
- Feeling deprived or left-out in social situations
- Struggling to establish consistent physical activity
- Transfer addictions
Further, most people who make the difficult decision to have bariatric surgery want to improve their health and energy, so they can live the vibrant life they crave. One of the most meaningful changes that happens when you learn to eat mindfully (whether you’ve had surgery or not!) is that it allows you to think about eating when you need to and frees up your energy and attention to focus on living in between.
Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Program for Bariatric Surgery
For all these reasons we created a mindful eating program and materials especially for people who have had (or who are considering) bariatric surgery. Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Program for Bariatric Surgery is offered in several formats. Decide which best fits your learning preference, schedule, and lifestyle.
Mindful Eating for Bariatric Surgery Set
This two book set helps resolve the mindless habits and emotional eating issues that lead to problems after WLS. Your set includes:
- Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: A Mindful Eating Program to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle (updated)
- Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Program for Bariatric Surgery Companion Workbook and Journal
Order your Mindful Eating for Bariatric Surgery Set here.
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Mindful Eating for Bariatric Surgery Programs
Resolve the mindless habits and emotional eating issues that lead to problems after weight loss surgery. Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating for Bariatric Surgery Programs combine the benefits of our innovative mindful eating approach with the interaction, motivation, and support of a group led by a trained Am I Hungry? Facilitators.
Click here to find an Am I Hungry? Bariatric Surgery Program or Facilitator near you.
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Mindful Eating for Bariatric Surgery Online Class
Can’t find a program in your area? Do you travel or have difficulty getting away from the house? Do you prefer the convenience, privacy, and comfort of participating in a workshop from your home at your own pace? Participate in a workshop from your computer or phone.
Our Self-Paced Online Mindful Eating for Bariatric Surgery classes allow you to choose when, where, and how fast you progress through the classes. Am I Hungry? founder Dr. Michelle May guides you through each engaging, interactive workshop on video.
Click here to learn more. Register here then access to your online classes and your materials will be on the way!
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Mindful Eating for Bariatric Surgery Training for Health Professionals
With this training, facilitators can offer the Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating for Bariatric Surgery Program, a comprehensive program that provides the behavioral, nutritional, physical activity, and post-surgical self-care skills and strategies that are essential for long-term success.
Click here to learn more about becoming a Mindful Eating for Bariatric Surgery Facilitator!
It’s not really about the food
It has been exciting to add life-changing mindful eating concepts to the toolbox for the many people who, despite having surgery, still find themselves stuck in an eat-repent-repeat cycle.
After all, even after bariatric surgery, it still isn’t really about the food!
Article updated from a previous version.
Enjoyed this article? Here are three more you’ll like:
Symptoms of maladaptive eating after bariatric surgery
Restrictive diets didn’t work before WLS and they don’t work after
Jenn’s Story: Learning to love herself after WLS