Weight Loss Surgery and Self Harm

[billw0917 0]

Hi everyone -

I came across an interesting article today while looking at Google News:

food was how I always dealt with stress, anxiety, etc. pre-surgery, and I still haven't found an adequate replacement for it post-surgery. Don't get me wrong, exercise helps, but food wass convenient and I need something 'in the moment'.

What does everyone think? How do you all handle in the moment stress and anxiety?

[Healthy_life2 8,324]

@@billw0917

Therapy/ counseling is a good option to deal with the mental/behavioral end of surgery. It is a good thing to prepare for stress/emotions/anxiety.

I never found an "In the moment" way to deal with the stress eating issue. It was key to let go of the bad behavior and find a replacement. I hope you find what works for you.

[Proud2BMe 1,016]

Please keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of "studies" are b.s. and are written specifically to garner attention for the authors. A study should never be confused with a scientific fact.

[jess9395 5,449]

Please keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of "studies" are b.s. and are written specifically to garner attention for the authors. A study should never be confused with a scientific fact.

Yeah not as simple as that. If a study is a true scientifically conducted study published in a peer reviewed journal, it has solid science and statistical evidence behind it. This study was initially published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) which is just such a scientific peer reviewed journal.

HOWEVER as people trained in statistics like myself like to say "correlation is not causation." What this study shows is a correlation. One variable (having had weight loss surgery) is linked to another (increase in self harm and depression).

That does NOT MEAN weight loss surgery CAUSES self harm and depression. It could mean that or it could mean some other linked variable(s) are in play. For example previously overweight people have a tendency to self harm or people who regain have depression or people who are born with depressive genes tend to be overweight and thus are the ones who get weight loss surgery.

Correlations do nothing except provide areas for further study in the true scientists mind. They don't prove anything or say anything about what causes what.

[jess9395 5,449]

A report in a scientifically based press source lists the following as areas for follow up studies to look at:

"Previously suggested reasons for the association between bariatric surgery and the subsequent risk of self-harm include: permanent changes in body image, diet-related stress and unmet expectations of weight loss, which could increase mental health problems, leading to behaviors such as binge eating, substance misuse and self-harm behaviors.

Changes in metabolism of alcohol could play a role, as well as changes in neurohormonal levels, which could lead to depression, addiction and suicide."