Obesity is a growing problem in Australian society and bariatric surgery is the only intervention that appears to aid sustained weight loss among obese individuals. The success of bariatric surgery can depend on how patients cope with the procedure and adjust to the associated changes. Health psychologists are in the perfect position to contribute to the team in assisting clients with these changes and helping improve outcomes.

Health psychologists can:

• Teach your patients how to sustain dietary restrictions and physical activity requirements
• Provide strategies to manage anxiety and fear associated with surgery
• Facilitate adjustment to the changes in their thoughts, feelings, relationships and body image associated with major weight loss

Pre-bariatric surgery psychosocial assessments
Our clinic provides a welcoming and sensitive environment for people with weight issues. We provide pre-bariatric surgery psychosocial assessments for your clients considering weight loss surgery. This assessment includes validated measures and takes approximately 90 minutes.

We assess:

• Client’s motivation, expectations and knowledge of the treatment
• Impact of obesity on their life
• Current eating behaviours including eating disorders
• Diet and weight history
• Physical activity patterns
• Psychiatric presentation and history
• Coping strategies and social support
• Substance use
• Psychosocial factors which may place client at risk of medical complications or psychological distress

Interventions
On the basis of our assessments, we provide specific recommendations and interventions for clients to optimise their weight loss and health outcomes. We offer a range of interventions in both group and individual settings. Interventions target issues including:

• Expectations of bariatric surgery
• Binge eating behaviour
• Stress management techniques
• Increasing social support
• Problem solving strategies
• Substance abuse

Our group programs
We offer a moderate mindful eating group (MMEG) for those clients who may struggle with patterns of disordered eating. We also run a very practical stress management group. See our groups page for more details.