Many methods are used in the treatment of obesity. One of these methods, bariatric surgery, can help solve psychological and emotional problems such as increased self-esteem, but weakening does not always mean that all troubles will be eliminated. The patient should also be psychologically prepared for the surgery by consulting with the psychologist before the surgery, and it should be gained adaptation to the operation process and psychological awareness as well as reducing surgery anxiety. Some psychological problems may develop during the diet process after bariatric surgery. If we give some examples of these:

  • Patients may feel restricted and suppressed as they are encouraged to eat small amounts of low-calorie foods through the diet program and have to abandon their old eating habits, and this can trigger depression.
  • Eating disorders that were present before the surgery may also occur after the person reaches the target weight. Impulsive eating attacks, binge eating disorder and night eating syndrome may develop as a result of the patient’s inability to eat as much as she/he wants and constantly suppressing himself. This makes it difficult to achieve the desired results of the surgery. Our psychologist determines these disorders pre-operation and provides psychological support to patients who need it to achieve permanent weight loss after surgery.
  • Patients may develop various addictions such as alcohol, substance or cigarette in order to compromise the emotional pleasure they get from the food, which is caused by the decrease in their relationship with food.
  • Romantic and social relationships can also be affected by obesity surgery. The patient’s self-esteem and self-confidence increase with the changing body perception of himself and her/his relations with her/his close environment become better. However, sometimes, the spouse or partner may not be able to adapt to the changes in the patient and the balance in their relationship may be disturbed.
  • Skin sagging may occur when patients experience excessive weight loss. This appearance in their bodies sometimes leads to depression.

One of the therapeutic approaches effective on obesity treatment is “cognitive-behavioral therapy”. In this school of therapy, it is thought that patients misinterpret environmental stimuli and hunger sensations and this leads to disturbing emotions and then eating behavior. Using cognitive restructuring methods, dysfunctional thoughts, negative emotions, motivational attitudes and related cognitive distortions, i.e. logic errors, can be identified about food and diet. Thus, the person is given healthier and rational thinking, feeling better and has more positive coping behavior. This approach can be applied to individuals with obesity problems in the form of individual and group therapies. It is possible to treat psychological disorders caused by obesity with cognitive behavioral therapy. Apart from this therapy school, our Psychologist also uses behavioral therapy, motivational interview, mindfullness and stress coping methods used in the treatment of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders accompanying obesity.