Some patients believe that once they have bariatric surgery, the weight loss journey will be complete. Patients often feel immediate relief from symptoms of conditions like diabetes and sleep apnea after surgery, and their health only improves from there as they continue with their new healthy habits. However, many patients do not experience instant gratification … Continue reading How to Deal with Body Dysmorphia After Bariatric Surgery
Eating slider foods can set anyone on a weight loss journey back from their goals, and it can be especially bad for bariatric surgery patients. The term “slider foods” refers to foods that easily “slide” through your digestive system, digesting quickly and easily. This type of food tends to be high in all the things … Continue reading What are Slider Foods, and Why Should You Avoid Them?
Stress is a funny thing. It enters our lives through difficult situations, and then it makes life even more difficult. When you’re on a weight loss journey, stress happens. You may struggle to keep up with your new healthy habits. Loved ones may criticize you for going about this the “wrong way.” You may even … Continue reading Understanding How Stress Interferes with Weight Loss
You’ve finally done it: you reached your goal weight! So… Now what? Once you’ve reached your weight loss goal, you may feel like you’re done. However, it’s important to continue the healthy habits you started and to avoid falling back into unhealthy routines. Here’s what I recommend: Start Moving More As you gain strength and … Continue reading How to Keep the Weight Off After Significant Weight Loss
Based on what you hear in the media or from your favorite fitness influencer, the keto diet may seem like a miracle cure for excess fat. However, it’s a little more complicated. No diet is going to be the best solution for everyone, and diet alone is not the cure for obesity. How it Works … Continue reading Is the Keto Diet the Right Way to Lose Weight?
Does it feel like you’ve stopped losing weight? This is because you’ve reached your first weight loss plateau. These happen on every weight loss journey. Reaching this plateau can be frustrating because it generally happens when you’re still doing all the right things. Here are the best ways to overcome weight loss plateaus. Look at … Continue reading How to Move Past the Plateau
It’s easy to feel discouraged when you slip up when trying to lose weight. I often find myself reminding my patients that weight loss is hard for everyone. Almost every person who embarks on a weight loss journey slips up every once in a while. The difference is how you react when it happens. Do … Continue reading What to Do When You Fall Off the Weight Loss Wagon
You’ve made a big decision that’s going to greatly impact your future and your health. You know you’re taking a leap in the right direction, and you’re ready to start your bariatric surgery journey. Now, you’ve reached the step where you need to tell the people in your life what’s going on. Depending on who … Continue reading Talking to Your Loved Ones About Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgery will change your life. From the moment you decide to improve your health through weight loss surgery, things will start to look different. Some of these changes will be great. You’ll start feeling more hopeful about the future, and once you’ve had your surgery, your health will more than likely improve. However, our … Continue reading Navigating Changes in Relationships Following Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Hodges highly recommends patients attend monthly support group meetings. The meetings are led by Dr. Collins Hodges, both a licensed clinical psychologist and someone who has had bariatric surgery himself. The support groups are offered on the first Monday of every month from 6:30pm – 7:15pm CST via an online GoToMeeting. The meetings are open to the public, and there is no charge to attend.