Weight loss surgery is a permanent surgery that requires complete dedication and commitment for long term success.  For patients, this can cause an increased sense of worry and fear. To help prepare patients for the life-altering aspect of bariatric surgery, hypnosis can be used. Hypnosis is used to give patients an idea of what their life would consist of after weight loss surgery. This includes having a smaller stomach size, which limits their portion sizes of foods and decreases their appetite.

This technique is one aspect of therapy given to a weight loss patient to help tackle the mental and physical barriers that might limit you from long-term weight loss success.  From my personal experience, you have to be one hundred percent committed to your weight loss journey.  Due to the surgery's serious, life-changing nature, you cannot be unsure about your decision. When you have your digestive system or stomach permanently altered, there is no return, and you must be aware of your decision.

What is Hypnosis?

The definition of hypnosis is the state of not being fully aware or conscious.  Consciousness is the state of being fully aware and awake of your internal and external environment.  When you are in a hypnotic state, you are in a trance that makes you fully relaxed and able to concentrate on a specific thought or idea.

When you are under hypnosis, you are entirely in control of your actions. Nothing can be forced upon you to do anything against your will.  You can only respond to suggestions made by your hypnotherapist.

What is Weight Loss Surgery Hypnosis?

Weight loss surgery hypnosis occurs when your hypnotherapist simulates the entire surgical process of the gastric band, gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery.  This includes the time you decide to have surgery to the time it takes to leave the hospital. These suggestions include explaining step by step what happens in your surgery from the anesthesia to the incisions.

Under hypnosis, your mind is reprogrammed into believing you had bariatric surgery when your stomach size is reduced permanently through the gastric sleeve or the lap band, which significantly limits your food portions.  You can understand these steps while in a dream-like state.

Hypnotherapists have two approaches for virtual weight loss surgery.  The first identifies the cause of your emotional eating.  This is explored through memories and experiences that specifically focus on food that affects your present behavior.  By addressing your unhealthy eating patterns, you can better prepare and begin cultivating healthy eating habits in the long term.

The next step is performing virtual bariatric surgery.  Your hypnotherapist uses the power of suggestion while you are in a trance to convince you that you had the weight loss surgery.  This allows your body to respond to feeling full quicker.

After your weight loss hypnosis surgery, you will be taught self-hypnosis techniques.  This will allow you to continue working on your habits after your session ends.  You will also need to be educated about nutrition and exercise.  Hypnotherapy is just one aspect of tackling the multilayered approach required for weight loss.  Both the mind and body must work together.

Does it Work?

There is no guaranteed outcome with virtual weight loss surgery or actual bariatric surgery.  The results depend entirely upon your will power and discipline.  To maintain your hypnosis, you must remind your brain that your stomach is now much smaller and can only handle a small amount of food at a time.  Certain foods must be avoided with your new stomach size. These foods are mostly fatty and dairy.

The virtual surgery occurs while you are unconscious, but only your conscious effort and decisions will make this a permanent long term success.  Permanent healthy choices and habits must be well-practiced and cultivated before surgery for your life to remain committed after surgery.  This includes having a regular exercise routine, having a well-balanced diet of healthy protein and vegetables.

Also, have a regular therapist to help unblock any mental barriers that are affecting your physical health.  Having a safe place to go and discuss your history with an emotional eating disorder and possible disordered eating patterns is critical in overcoming bad habits and food choices.  When you routinely consult your mental state with a trained professional, they can hold you accountable for your thoughts and actions.

Long Term Success?

Weight loss hypnosis does not guarantee long term success because it is not permanent.  With actual weight loss surgery, you are permanently altering your physical state.

Surgery changes your hormone levels as a side effect. One particular hormone affected is your hunger hormone known as ghrelin.

This hormone significantly reduces your appetite post-bariatric surgery.  This makes your low caloric intake after surgery, and is not a conscious decision but a natural aftermath.  Hypnotherapy cannot replicate this phenomenon; therefore, there will be no permanent hormonal changes needed for prolonged weight loss.

Virtual Surgery Aftermath

You will not have any physical side effects after your hypnosis.  With real bariatric surgery, you may experience nausea, vomiting, or acid reflux.

With weight loss hypnosis, feeling physically full may be difficult due to your ability to overeat.  Overeating is not possible with bariatric surgery without having some physical side effects.

My Thoughts and Experiences:

I had a tremendous amount of fear and apprehension on my day of bariatric surgery.  I had never had surgery before, so my worries were mostly due to the unknown possibilities.

For patients who suffer from chronic anxiety and stress, I think hypnosis would be a great thing to experience to help alleviate your concerns.  I do not imagine hypnosis will benefit you long term because the physical reminders and the physical experience of bariatric surgery leaves a lasting and permanent impression.

I am 21 months post-op, and I still receive messages from my stomach, telling me to stop eating and that I am full.  If I only had a virtual weight loss surgery, I would not have those instinctual responses, and I would overeat.  Also, having my appetite reduced for six months post-surgery cannot be replicated with hypnosis.  I did not have a desire for food for over six months, and when it did return, I was able to have cultivated healthy habits and stick to my high protein diet.

Considering bariatric surgery should not consist of finding the easiest and least invasive way to lose weight.  You more than likely did not gain weight overnight, and you should not expect to lose it overnight.  It takes hard work and dedication to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle, putting in the necessary work in the process.  Please do not skip the process: it is there for a reason.