Research has found that between 25%-47% of bariatric surgery patients report at least twice weekly binge eating behavior and up to 30% of surgery patients suffer from some type of Eating disorder. Failure to address disordered eating behavior in this population causes poor outcomes for surgery patients, feelings of failure, increased depression, relapse and increased complication rates. Most surgery programs offer little or no help to these patients and focus primarily on physical and behavioral change without assisting these patients with emotional help and insight. Clinical experience has shown that these patients often begin to suffer behavioral and emotional problems when the surgery removes their primary coping tool (i.e. food).
The Conscious Eating Bariatric™ Program offers a psychologically based treatment approach designed to equip surgery patients with long term coping skills and gently increase body awareness to help patients distinguish between physical versus emotional hunger. This unique, psycho educational group therapy process better prepares patients for the changes they experience post-surgery, screens out inappropriate surgical candidates and identifies patients who may need additional support and follow-up post-operatively.
The Conscious Eating Bariatric™ Program offers a useful, lifetime-focused program of emotional awareness and reconnection with body cues for hunger and satiety. As patients integrate the Conscious Eating™ tools, they decrease their food intake and make better choices about the foods they do ingest.
Although all patients are required to have a psychological evaluation pre-op, there are no criteria in place for the qualifications of the evaluator beyond being a licensed mental health provider. Many patients see providers who have little or no awareness or training in diagnosing and treating Eating disorders. Also, many providers have little or no knowledge of gastric bypass surgery and are ill prepared to offer patients any meaningful psychological support that will enhance their surgery experience.
The Conscious Eating Bariatric™ Program consists of four 7-week group therapy units (1.5 hours per week, 28 weeks total) that address psychological issues and raise emotional eating awareness for surgery patients. This program is uniquely suited to help patients gain insight into the psychological issues that may have contributed to their obesity as well as prepare them more fully for positive surgical outcomes and compliance, possibly even decreasing post-op complications. (Which research suggests is between 20-26%).
For information about starting a Conscious Eating Bariatric™ program at your center or hospital please contact Margie Martin, MFT at Margie@consciouseating.com or call her at 858-278-8900.