After undergoing bariatric surgery, individuals experience not only physical but also significant emotional and behavioral changes. During this process, individuals may need to redefine their relationship with food. Procedures such as gastric sleeve surgery reduce the physical capacity of the stomach, but the underlying psychological factors driving eating behaviors often remain unchanged. Therefore, the bariatric psychodiet approach helps you understand not only what you eat but also why you eat.

The Psychological Foundations of Eating Behavior

Eating behavior is not shaped solely by physical hunger; emotions, environmental stimuli, and learned habits also play an important role in this behavior. In particular, emotions such as stress, loneliness, anxiety, or anger can lead individuals to emotional eating. This situation can continue even after gastric bypass surgery and can lead to negative consequences such as weight gain in the long term.

Behavioral eating patterns are shaped by many factors, such as an individual’s childhood eating experiences, cultural codes, social relationships, and self-perception. At this point, the bariatric psychodiet approach enables individuals to understand their own eating behaviors.

What is Bariatric Psychodiet?

Bariatric psychodiet is an approach aimed at supporting both the physiological and psychological recovery of individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery. Unlike traditional diet programs, this model focuses on increasing the individual’s awareness of eating, identifying emotional triggers, and establishing a healthy relationship with food.

This approach combines psychology, nutrition science, and behavior change strategies to help individuals tap into their internal resources. It focuses on internal motivation and sustainable behavior changes rather than restrictive diet rules during the weight loss process.

Eating Disorders and Emotional Hunger

In individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery, especially those who previously had eating disorders such as emotional eating, binge eating, or night eating syndrome, these behaviors may continue after surgery. Although the reduction in stomach size may physically make these behaviors more difficult, emotional hunger can continue to prevail as long as mental habits remain unchanged.

Emotional hunger is different from real physiological hunger. It usually comes on suddenly, involves craving a specific food (such as sweets or chips), and does not lead to a feeling of satisfaction. Therefore, it is very important for individuals to be able to distinguish between different types of hunger.

Why is Mindful Eating Important in the Bariatric Process?

Mindful eating is the practice of eating with awareness, paying attention to the moment, eating slowly and without judgment. After bariatric surgery, adopting this approach helps control food consumption and accurately interpret satiety signals.

Mindful eating practices include the following:

  • Chew each bite consciously and savor the taste.
  • Recognize the difference between emotional hunger and physical hunger.
  • Avoid distractions (phone, TV) while eating.
  • Make eating decisions based on your hunger level.

These practices help individuals rebuild their relationship with food.

Reestablishing Eating Habits

After bariatric surgery, many individuals feel as if their eating habits have been reset. During this process, it is very important to establish new routines and build healthy habits one small step at a time.

Tips for developing new habits:

  • Plan your meals: Deciding in advance what you will eat and when will reduce emotional eating.
  • Prioritize protein in your diet: It prolongs satiety and prevents muscle loss.
  • Pay attention to your fluid intake: Make drinking water a habit, but consume it before or after meals, not with them.
  • Develop the practice of eating slowly: This both facilitates digestion and helps you interpret stomach signals correctly.

The Importance of Keeping a Food Diary

Numerous studies have shown that keeping a food diary helps individuals become more aware of their eating habits. A diary should be a tool that allows you to record not only what you eat, but also your emotions, surroundings, and triggers at the time of eating.

Elements that can be included in a food diary:

  • The food you eat (amount and time)
  • Your hunger level (scored from 0 to 10)
  • How you feel while eating
  • The environment in which the meal is eaten
  • Your level of satiety

This information is particularly useful in terms of recognizing emotional eating or trigger situations.

When is Professional Support Necessary?

In some cases, it may be difficult for individuals to change their eating habits on their own. Psychological counseling or bariatric dietitian support is recommended, especially in the following situations:

  • If there is a history of eating disorders
  • If there is a constant feeling of guilt or shame
  • If there are excessively restrictive or binge eating behaviors
  • If the weight loss process has become obsessive
  • If self-worth is evaluated solely on the basis of weight loss

Bariatric psychodiet specialists can manage this process holistically through both nutrition education and behavioral strategies.

Bariatric psychodiet specialists can manage this process holistically through both nutrition education and behavioral strategies.

Conclusion: It is possible to make peace with food

Establishing a healthy relationship with food is just as important as surgery for the long-term success of bariatric surgery. The bariatric psychodiet approach aims for true healing by involving not only the individual’s body but also their mind and emotions in the process.

Remember, food nourishes not only our bodies but also our emotions. Therefore, reshaping our relationship with food is one of the most important steps we can take for both our physical and psychological health.