Considering bariatric surgery?

bariatric surgery

Perhaps you, or someone you love, are considering weight loss surgery. I wrote this article to help answer some of the initial questions you may have.

My goal in life is to support and help anyone who is on the journey to lose weight and be the healthiest they can be. There are many ways you can lose weight, some, like bariatric surgery, are more drastic than others.

I took what I believe is the easy way. I changed my diet, my mindset and owned my life as a healthy person. And for many this is the ideal way to lose weight, but there are many methods to lose weight with varying degrees of success; liquid diets, fasting, high protein and low carb to name a few. The reason most of these methods fail, is because they aren’t sustainable long-term. Take carbohydrates for example, no one can cut out carbs for the rest of their life, they’re a macro-nutrient that assist brain health among other things.

So, what do you do when you feel like you’ve tried everything, and nothing has worked? Firstly, I say, have you cooked my recipes and followed my menu plans (I mean really followed them!)? If the answer is no, I suggest you try this before making the life changing decision to have Bariatric surgery. More on how to do this later in the article.

Are you, or someone you know, considering bariatric surgery?

Many critics say that weight loss surgery is taking the easy way out… but let me assure you, it’s far from the easiest option.

I know several people who’ve had this surgery, and I was even a support person for one dear person in my life. I went to all her doctor and dietitian’s appointments and asked lots of questions. I grilled her on why she wanted this Gastric Sleeve option and was impressed with her research and commitment to the change it would be in her life. She has since lost 50 kilos and you can’t get the smile off her face. She will be the first to say that there were some big changes that happened, some easier than others but due to her commitment and positive mindset she has had great success.

What I have observed with those that choose this path is that they really must be ready for a complete lifestyle change. Changes to the way you eat will be a long-term reality, not just until you lose the weight

Let’s look at bariatric surgery options

Lap band surgery, also called gastric banding, involves a ring being put around the top part of the stomach to form a small pouch. An external port is then used to adjust the ring by adding or removing saltwater. This controls the amount of time food remains in the top part of the stomach, which makes the person feel full after eating only a small amount of food.

Gastric bypass surgery involves stapling the stomach and attaching it directly to the small intestine. With this technique most of the food consumed bypasses the stomach so fewer calories are absorbed.

Gastric sleeve surgery involves a stapling to create a small ‘sleeve’ in the stomach, then a large portion of the stomach is removed, including the part that makes the hormone that makes you feel hungry.

I’m not saying that surgery is your next option if you feel like you’ve tried everything. And I’m also not going to make recommendations on which procedure is the best. These are both very individual and personal decisions to make.

What to do before you decide if bariatric surgery is right for you

If you do explore the possibility of having weight loss surgery, here’s some things I want you to do:
• Research it well, make sure you know exactly what you are getting yourself into
• Talk to your GP and a bariatric surgeon and ask lots and lots of questions
• Talk to other people who’ve had the surgery and find out their highs and lows
• Find out what support you’ll receive post-surgery especially around nutrition
• Discuss with those closest to you, but make the decision that’s right for YOU

There are some things that surgery won’t fix:
• Lack of confidence or self-esteem
• Poor food choices
• Emotional eating

And if the three things mentioned above are not addressed, weight loss results may be disappointing. I know many who’ve had one of these procedures and, after a year or two, have put their weight back on.

Some final thoughts

It’s not just the surgery to consider:
• There’s a strict plan to follow post-op, including a liquid diet in the few weeks before and after
• There may be certain foods/drinks that you’ll never be able to have
• Certain medications could cause you problems
• Your meals will be much, much smaller which could impact on your social outings; around half a cup of food is the most you can eat in one sitting
• Morbidly obese people often require skin removal surgery once reaching their ideal weight and this may not be covered by Medicare.

I have such respect for anyone who takes this road as it is a massive decision and not one to make lightly. Bariatric surgery is not a magic wand; you’ll still need to work at losing the weight and this includes exercise.


I hope this article has helped answer any initial questions you may have. Remember, please do your research, ask questions and don’t rush this decision. And if in doubt – don’t do it.


How can I help you?

If you haven’t tried my mentoring program, then I ask that you sign up and give it your very best shot to make it work before trying weight loss surgery.

Here’s a taste of what to expect in my program:
• Enjoy healthy home cooked meals that help you lose weight; without feeling like you’re on a diet.
• Receive easy to follow weekly menu plans filled with delicious meals that are easy to prepare; all recipes included
• Get direct email access to me to answer your weight loss questions

Find out all about the program here.
And if you have any questions, please email me to discuss.


Here’s a range of products to support those who’ve had bariatric surgery


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