Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss Surgery)

For some, the decision to have weight loss surgery (gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, LapBand or gastric banding) is the right choice.  After you have worked with your physician to determine whether bariatric surgery is appropriate, psychological consultation and cognitive-behavioral therapy can be instrumental in your success.  While a variety of factors contribute to a person’s challenges with weight management; behavioral and cognitive changes are almost always necessary for long-term success with weight management.  Learning effective tools and skills for  building a healthy lifestyle early on in the process of weight loss surgery, can be incredibly helpful. 

Pre-Operative Consultation

Typically, a “psychological evaluation” or “psychological consultation” is required prior to having weight loss surgery.  These consultations may be required from your health insurance, your surgeon, or both.  But more than just a requirement, pre-op consultation can be an essential component in preparing you for maximum success in your journey of weight loss.

Dr. Gibson does not want this consultation to be perceived as another “hoop you must jump through.”  Dr. Gibson is well-versed in exactly what your insurance company and your surgeon are looking for in this type of consultation.  She will ensure that those areas are covered sufficiently so that your surgeon has additional pieces of information to maximally help you in your surgery choice and success.  In addition, Dr. Gibson wants this to be a helpful process for you.  She will help you to identify triggers for problematic habits, what has gotten in the way of your previous attempts to be successful with weight loss, possible means of self-sabotage, etc.  She will assist you in starting the process of addressing problem areas to build skills and tools, so that you can better manage your long-term weight loss success.  Dr. Gibson will ensure that you are aware of possible difficulties people may face following weight loss surgery, and assist you in proactively addressing potential problems.

Some people are nervous about meeting with a psychologist and do not know what to expect.  In short, Dr. Gibson’s goal is to best support you in your weight loss efforts.  Pre-operative consultation is not a “pass / fail test.”  This is meant to be another tool to assist you in having the best outcome possible.  The vast majority of the people Dr. Gibson meets with are good candidates for surgery, and she works to help them come up with a specific plan to manage especially difficult areas, or just day to day issues related to weight management.  Many people who battle obesity also struggle with depression, anxiety, or other problems.  These types of issues do not typically delay or rule out bariatric surgery.  Rather, discussion of these issues, and ways to best manage them, can be one piece of the puzzle in putting together the best plan of action for ongoing success.  Some people may need specific support, treatment, or referrals to help them better prepare for surgery before actually having surgery.  Ultimately, the decision to proceed with surgery is a decision that will be made between you and your surgeon.

Dr. Gibson has performed hundreds of psychological consultations with patients preparing for weight loss surgery and has a specific area of expertise in bariatric surgery.  She is a member of ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons), and has excellent professional relationships with some of Southern California’s most revered bariatric surgeons.  She has a good understanding of what is needed for your insurance company’s approval and what your bariatric surgeon needs.  If you are considering surgery, you have invested significant time, thought, resources, and money in your future health.  Please ensure that you take the psychological (cognitive and behavioral) piece of this process very seriously.  Make the decision to consult with a psychologist with specific expertise in bariatric surgery, so that your psychological consultation is a valuable part of your preparation.

Dr. Gibson will be able to schedule an appointment with you within a week to two weeks of your initial request for an appointment, and will have a completed report to your surgeon within one week of the consultation.

Follow-Up Weight Loss Program

The path after weight loss surgery is different for everyone.  For many, it is a time of great success over a challenge that has plagued them for years.  Those who are the most successful in their aftercare, are those that make active and thoughtful changes in their behaviors and thinking patterns.  Relying on surgery alone to “fix” weight problems is a mistake.

Therapy in preparation for, or following weight loss surgery, can be incredibly helpful in addressing problematic behaviors, identifying triggers for maladaptive eating, and recognizing social and emotional issues that maintain weight.  Dr. Gibson can help you build your tool box of adaptive means of coping, of thinking about food, eating in new ways, and building healthy replacements where previously problematic, unhealthy behaviors existed.

Additionally, some people find that they struggle with depression or “mourning the loss of food.”  Others struggle with substitution of other unhealthy behaviors post-weight loss surgery.  Some people find that they have difficulty adjusting to their new found thinness and revert to self-sabotage.  Some people that find other areas of concern emerge now that they are not placing all of their mental energy focusing on weight.  All of these areas are things that can be addressed, and that Dr. Gibson is familiar with treating.  Weight loss and weight loss surgery are generally very positive experiences, but they involve change.  Change can be stressful even when it is related to positive things.  Dr. Gibson has expertise in weight loss treatment, a great deal of empathy for patients going through this process, and can be a valuable part of your overall plan for a healthy life.