Psychological Evaluation and Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a type of surgery that is performed on individuals who are obese and whose Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeds the healthy level. There are many reasons who an individual may reach obesity, some of which include hereditary factors, natural body type, psychological problems leading to overeating and chronic stress. When performing bariatric surgery, the practitioner will often complete a psychological evaluation for the patient prior to the operation. This is because before treating the issue of obesity it is necessary to evaluate the underlying psychological factors contributing to the issue of obesity itself.
Causes of Obesity
For some, the state of obesity is simply caused by hereditary factors or the individual’s natural body type. These individuals may find it necessary to have repeat procedures in order to draw out the fat from the body. Still, others may be obese because they have an underlying psychological issue, such as food addiction or impulsive eating, or the lack of getting any exercise.
Weight Loss Surgery
There are various different types of weight loss surgery that can be performed in order to decrease the amount of fat weight that one holds in one’s body. One of these procedures is the Gastric Sleeve procedure. This involves removing up to 85% of the stomach in order to decrease the sensation of hunger. This can result in losing up to 70% of body weight within two years. There is also a procedure called the Gastric Bypass. This results in up to 60 – 80% of body fat lost in under two years and helps to cure Type 1 Diabetes. It reduces the size of your stomach organ and also reduces the absorption of the food you eat.
Another type of bariatric surgery is Hiatal Hernia Repair. Sometimes the cause of obesity is actually a hernia. The hiatus is the passageway between the esophagus and the stomach. In the case of a Hiatal hernia, this stomach bulges up into the chest through the hiatus. These types of procedures are often free of cost when performed in addition to standard weight-loss surgeries, as they help to ensure the health of the patient.
There are many different reasons why the individual may experience increases in weight, including hereditary factors and lifestyle choices. Individuals may gain weight because it is within their ancestry, they are naturally heavy, they are eating to treat mental health ailments or they are practicing impulsive eating. Whatever the reason may be for gaining weight, there are psychological evaluations that can aid in diagnosis. Many bariatric surgeries exist in order to drop weight including the Gastric Sleeve, the Gastric Bypass, and the Hiatal Hernia Repair. These procedures can help restore the individual to full health.
We can help with your psychological evaluation in preparation for this surgery. Give us a call or click today.