How Weight-Loss Surgery Can Trigger Eating disorders

When traditional diets fail sometimes people will consider weight loss surgery. Gastric by-pass or the lap-band are the most common types of surgery. It is important to be cognizant of whether or not an individual has an eating disorder before their surgery. The detection of an eating disorder in this situation is more difficult because surgery symptoms such as indigestion, acid reflux, and weight-loss which are the same as an ED. Although after the surgery, individuals have a smaller stomach, and therefore eat less, if there was habits such as overeating, binging and purging or starvation before surgery, then it is likely an individual will struggle with eating habits.  When an individual uses food as a form of control to cope with emotions, healthy coping mechanisms need to be adopted in order to have a postive relationship with food. A person's relationship with food needs to change with the weight-loss, it's not just about the scale. Support groups are a necessary help to ease the transitions and struggles which come post surgery.  There is a limited diet that individuals can have post surgery, as the stomach is healing and can become easily aggrivated by harsh foods. For example soups are a good option during this time. In addition, certain foods are easier on the stomach barley compared to rice  which is important to consider while preparing meals.Dietitians and doctors can help prescribe a diet which is appropriate after surgery.

Healthy ways to cope with emotions:

·         Take a yoga class,

·         get a massage

·         Let yourself cry

·         confront the person who is triggering your feelings,

·         breathe deeply 

·         take a creative arts class

·         Talk to a friend

·         Talk to a therapist