360 Surgery Health Blog

Body shaming involves humiliating someone by making inappropriate or negative comments about their body size or shape. Some believe that making overweight people feel ashamed of their weight or eating habits may motivate them to get healthier. However, scientific evidence confirms that nothing could be further from the truth. Instead of motivating people, fat shaming makes them feel terrible about themselves, causing them to eat more and gain more weight. A study from researchers at the University of London found that people with obesity often feel weight-shamed at their GP office, so much so that they sometimes avoid going to appointments. As a result of feeling shame, the study discovered that many patients would then blame themselves for their condition. It left them feeling humiliated and anxious and made them more likely to overeat. The study recommends training medical professionals in “non-stigmatizing weight-related communication.” This includes increased education for healthcare students about the complex factors involving regulating body weight and for all healthcare professionals to be more empathetic. IMPACT OF WEIGHT-SHAMING Researchers say that weight shaming can act as a barrier to services and treatments that can help patients with obesity – a critical issue given the risk of developing health conditions related to obesity such as: Joint and Bone Pain Heart Disease Sleep Apnoea High Blood Pressure Type 2 Diabetes Depression 360 SURGERY MAKES ALL PATIENTS FEEL WELCOME Our expert multidisciplinary team in Melbourne are leaders in weight loss. We take time to understand the complexity of your situation and work with you to find ways to help you achieve your goals. 360 SURGERY in Melbourne takes pride in offering you a welcoming, inclusive place to share and discuss your health and weight loss goals. Talumaa B, Brown A, Batterham RL, Kalea AZ. Effective strategies in ending weight stigma in healthcare. Obesity Reviews. 2022; 23(10):e13494.

Let our weight loss surgery team in Melbourne help you succeed Mental preparation for weight loss surgery is just as important as physical preparation. Getting mentally prepared will help you make the most of all this weight loss tool has to offer. Mental preparation is an ongoing process, and it's okay to have concerns and fears. Openly communicate with your weight loss surgery team and support network, and be kind to yourself. It's natural to feel a mix of emotions before a major life change, and acknowledging your feelings and seeking assistance when needed is an important part of the process. Our weight loss surgery team, 360 SURGERY, here in Melbourne, will help you get ready. Let’s look at 7 ways to help you mentally prepare for this life-changing procedure.  1. Educate yourself Knowledge is empowering. Learn as much as you can about the surgery,, including how the procedure is done, expected outcomes, risks, benefits, alternatives, recovery time, follow-up, and anything else you might want to know. Use reliable sources—your healthcare team is the best source of reliable information. Knowing what to expect can definitely help reduce anxiety. 2. Set realistic expectations Understand that bariatric surgery is a powerful tool for weight loss but it’s not a magic solution. Speak to your bariatric surgeon about how much weight you need to lose and how much you can expect to lose. Set realistic expectations for what lifestyle changes you’ll need to make and what your postoperative diet will look like. 3. Embrace a positive mindset Think positive. Visualise your success and all the health benefits you’ll enjoy. Focus on how life will improve. Think of success, and you will be halfway to achieving it. 4. Build a support network Reach out to family and friends for support. Let them know your decision and the challenges you anticipate. Getting them on board and knowing you have people to depend on can make a big difference to your mental preparedness. 5. Meet with our weight management psychologists Our weight management psychologists have years of experience preparing people for weight loss surgery. They can help you address any emotional issues or concerns you have and provide coping strategies for the journey ahead. 6. Address emotional eating If you use food to manage your emotions, it’s good to identify this as a problem before surgery. You can work with our psychologists to identify triggers and work on healthy coping strategies. This can help prevent old habits from creeping back after surgery. 7. Prepare for lifestyle changes Surgery is only part of the solution. The key to success will lie in making lifestyle changes, dietary changes and changes in your physical activity. Have plans in place to ease into these changes after surgery or even start working on them before surgery.

Your questions answered by your weight loss surgeon from 360 SURGERY, Melbourne When can I get pregnant after weight loss surgery? Most groups advise waiting 12-18 months after surgery before getting pregnant. Most women are much more fertile after surgery, even with moderate weight loss. Birth control pills do NOT work as well in patients who are overweight. Birth control pills are not very reliable during the time your weight is changing. For this reason, it’s important to speak to your GP or gynaecologist about contraception. Menstrual periods can be very irregular, and you can get pregnant when you least expect it. Before surgery and for the month after surgery, you’ll need to use contraception that does not contain oestrogens because of the risk of blood clots. Will the baby be healthy? Yes. After surgery, there is much less risk of experiencing problems during pregnancy and during childbirth. There are also fewer miscarriages and stillbirths than in women with obesity who have not had surgery and weight loss. Babies born after weight loss surgery are LESS at risk of being affected by obesity later due to activation of certain genes during foetal growth. There is also less risk of needing a C-section and less risk of birth trauma.

Advice after weight loss surgery with 360 SURGERY in Melbourne Staying properly hydrated is essential for everyone, but it becomes even more crucial for individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery. Fluid intake guidelines for bariatric patients emphasise the importance of staying hydrated and how hydration avoids complications. Complications of dehydration: Kidney Stones - Dehydration can increase the concentration of minerals in the urine, raising the risk of kidney stones. Constipation - Insufficient fluid intake can lead to constipation, which can be particularly uncomfortable after bariatric surgery. Electrolyte Imbalances - Dehydration can result in imbalances in vital electrolytes like sodium and potassium, potentially causing heart irregularities and muscle weakness. Reduced Energy Levels - Dehydration can make you feel fatigued and reduce your energy levels, which can hinder your overall recovery and well-being. Delayed Healing - Adequate hydration is crucial for healing, as it helps transport essential nutrients to the cells. How much fluid do you need? Most people need about 1.5-2L of fluid per day. You may need more than that depending on factors such as the weather and your activity level. This volume includes both water and other fluids you may drink during the day such as protein shakes and unsweetened tea. If you experience symptoms of dehydration, drink additional fluid. You’ll know you’re dehydrated if you have: Thirst: Increased thirst is the body's natural response to a decrease in fluid levels. It serves as a signal that the body needs more water. Dark Yellow Urine: Concentrated and dark yellow urine is often an early sign of dehydration. In a well-hydrated state, urine is typically pale yellow. Reduced Urination: Decreased frequency of urination or a significant reduction in the amount of urine produced may indicate dehydration. Dry Mouth and Dry Skin: Insufficient fluid intake can lead to a dry mouth and dry or sticky feeling on the skin. In severe cases, the skin may lose its elasticity. Fatigue and Weakness: Dehydration can cause a drop in blood volume, leading to reduced oxygen transport to muscles and organs. This can result in feelings of fatigue and weakness. Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Dehydration can affect blood pressure and circulation, potentially causing dizziness or lightheadedness, especially upon standing. Rapid Heartbeat and Breathing: In response to decreased blood volume, the heart may beat faster to try to compensate. This can lead to an increased heart rate and rapid breathing. Sunken Eyes: Dehydration can cause a sunken appearance around the eyes due to a reduction in fluid levels. Confusion or Irritability: Dehydration can impact cognitive function, leading to confusion, irritability, or difficulty concentrating. Headache: Dehydration may contribute to the development of headaches and migraines. Constipation: Dehydration can contribute to constipation - making the passage of stool hard or infrequent. Fluid intake guidelines Sip, Don't Gulp Since the stomach's capacity is reduced, it's crucial to sip fluids throughout the day. Avoid gulping down large quantities of water or other beverages in one go, as this can lead to discomfort and even vomiting. Prioritise Water Water should be your primary source of hydration. It's calorie-free, won't interfere with nutrient absorption, and is essential for overall health. Avoid Carbonated and Sugary Drinks Carbonated beverages and sugary drinks can lead to gas and discomfort. Steer clear of these, as they can also hinder your weight loss efforts. Monitor Your Intake Keep track of your daily fluid intake to ensure you meet your hydration goals. Consuming 1.5-2L of fluids daily is generally recommended, but consult with your surgeon for personalised recommendations. Stay Hydrated Between Meals Don’t eat and drink at the same time. Aim to have a 30-minute break between eating and starting drinking or vice versa. Consuming fluids primarily between meals rather than with them to ensure you don't fill your stomach too quickly and hinder your nutrient intake. Protein First Prioritise consuming your protein before your fluids, as protein is crucial for muscle preservation and weight loss after bariatric surgery. Coffee Coffee is a diuretic, which means it can contribute to fluid loss. Ensure that you balance your coffee intake with ample water consumption to prevent dehydration. Avoid Drinking Close to Bedtime To prevent nighttime discomfort and disrupted sleep, avoid drinking large amounts of fluids close to bedtime. Listen to Your Body Pay attention to your body's signals. If you're feeling thirsty or experiencing symptoms of dehydration (e.g., dark urine, dry mouth, dizziness), drink water immediately. Proper hydration is a fundamental aspect of post-bariatric surgery recovery and long-term success. Staying hydrated can help prevent complications and ensure health, comfort, and overall well-being. Always consult with your weight loss surgeon and nutrition team on personalised recommendations and support on your post-bariatric surgery journey. 

Advice after weight loss surgery with 360 SURGERY in Melbourne Studies have shown that self-monitoring weight improves weight loss most of the time and is important for weight maintenance. “You can't improve what you don't measure.” Often attributed to Peter Drucker, this quote has elicited plenty of admiration and plenty of ire. However, in the context of weight management, this expression rings true. You can keep track of several things during your weight loss journey (and into your weight management phase). These include such things as your: Weight Steps Food intake Physical activity Water intake Sleep Multivitamin compliance A systematic review of 22 articles by Shieh et al. found that self-weighing improves clinical outcomes without causing adverse untoward effects. Frequent self-weighing is actually associated with less weight regain and more weight loss, while breaks in self-weighing tend to lead to weight gain. Frequency and consistency matter in self-weighing for weight maintenance after weight loss. Daily or weekly weighing is best, and consistently doing so is key. Tracking your weight (in an app or spreadsheet or writing it in a diary) and accountability (to your clinical team, a health coach, a friend or whoever you want to be accountable to) will help too. Weigh yourself at the same time of day and under the same conditions each time. Finally, have a threshold to trigger you to change your behaviour or reach out for help if you see your weight consistently going off track. These tips will help you stay on track after weight loss surgery. Shieh, Carol et al. “Self-weighing in weight management interventions: A systematic review of literature.” Obesity research & clinical practice vol. 10,5 (2016): 493-519 

Having weight loss surgery does not mean you can never eat out again. Although many foods in restaurants are high in fat and calories, you can remain dedicated to your healthy eating plan and enjoy healthful food choices while you’re out.

Weight loss surgery can certainly change your life but it’s important to have realistic expectations as to what it will achieve to best set yourself up for success. It’s important to remind yourself that weight loss surgery is a tool to help you lose weight.

Now that you’ve had weight loss surgery and are on your way to a healthier life, it’s time to take advantage of technology and use some of the great apps out there to help you along the way. But which apps should you use? There are a lot of choices and many of them seem similar.

Myth: Obesity is a lifestyle choice and not a disease