Changing Relationships Following Weight Loss Surgery

When you decide to move forward with weight loss surgery you will likely be humbled and happy to know that you have many family members and friends who are ready, willing, and more than happy to be there for you during your recovery and as you become adapted to your new life. It’s so important to have that support - to know that people are there for you as you begin this new journey. But what you will also likely find as you continue down the road of weight loss and a new lifestyle is that your relationships with many people will need to change. They mean well. They want you to be happy, healthy, and successful in their heart. But the truth is that there are dynamics at play that have likely been in place for quite some time. And beginning a new life will mean that this dynamic will need to change in order for your relationships to also be healthy and supportive of your new life.

Not sure what that means? Consider the following:

Some friends - as supportive as they have been and think they will continue to be - may become more uncomfortable as you continue to lose weight. Maybe they have their own weight issues and your friendship has been a comfortable place for them to ignore their own pounds and relax in the camaraderie of being overweight together. Maybe you have a thinner friend who is used to you being the "chunky" friend and feels threatened as you lose weight. It may be unbelievable to consider now but the truth is that a change in friendships is very, very common following weight loss surgery. Keep in mind that as a relationship changes it may ultimately be for the better.

Your family wants you to be healthy of course but they may not even know what healthy means themselves. They are used to cooking a certain way and may be used to providing you with certain meals or foods because it’s what you love. When you change that, it can be an adjustment for everyone. That’s why it’s also so important for you to reach out to support groups so that you can use others’ experiences to better support your own.

People are used to seeing you a certain way. Just as you see changes in yourself following surgery - and not just physical - so too will those around you. It will take time for your co-workers, family, friends, and romantic interests to adjust. Ultimately their focus should always be on providing you with the support that is best for you and that allows you to come into your own with a new body and a new outlook on life. If they can’t accept the changes, then it may be a relationship you need to look at more closely to determine if it’s a healthy one for you.

About Author

One of the most experienced weight loss surgeons in the country – Dr. Nick Nicholson – along with a full staff of surgeons, nurses and other experienced clinicians, help patients reverse obesity with LAP-BAND, Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy and Revisions.

Dr. Nicholson knows that you are unique. So he and his staff only perform specialized, custom-tailored weight loss solutions that put you, the patient, first. Becoming thoroughly acquainted with the various options, Lap Band, Gastric Bypass, Gastric