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Roberta's Reflections: Musings of a Psychotherapist


A PEERtrainer Series on The Psychology of Weight Loss and Health

Obesity Surgery and Weight Regained

By Roberta Temes, PhD

I saw Laura and Paul today. They each had obesity surgery several years ago. Each went through the whole ordeal, even some complications afterward for Paul. Today Laura looks pretty good. She resembles her former self, the girl I remember of years ago. Paul, though, has regained most of his pounds. Thats unusual but it does happen.

His surgeon, unlike Lauras, had no mandatory follow-up. Paul was encouraged to come in for a three month check up during the first year after surgery, and then twice a year the second year, and then annually. When Paul felt ashamed that he had gained some weight during his second year he did not make an appointment for that checkup. No one from the doctors office called, so he simply never returned to the office. And now, of course, after several years he is much too heavy and much too embarrassed to make an appointment.

Accountability seems to be the answer. All the research suggests that communicating your weight and your food choices to another person a doctor, a peer, a parent, a spouse, anyone, - greatly increases your chances of keeping off weight.

The other factor that has good success in maintaining weight loss is exercise. Even more important than exercising during the time you are losing the weight, is exercising after the weight is lost and when you wish to maintain the loss. Exercise, even just plain walking, is crucial to keeping weight off.

So, how do you motivate yourself? My clients find motivation by exercising with a buddy, with music, with hypnosis, with a reward (not food!) at the end of the session, with a trainer, or with a group. When a group is counting on you for that doubles game of tennis or a sports league or a dancing class you are more likely to show up and get that exercise because you don't want to disappoint everyone. Guilt and responsibility are good motivators.

Paul might still be skinny today if his surgeon had insisted he join a gym or regularly listen to a hypnosis CD or have a trainer come to his house. Or, maybe all the surgeon had to do was insist that Paul follow up with regular emails disclosing his weight. Accountability matters.

Roberta Temes Article Archive:



    Click Here To Read How Roberta Can Help You Eliminate the Psychological Barriers Keeping You from Following Your Diet. Her program comes with an iron-clad 1 YEAR no questions asked money back guarantee and it's easy to order. If you like Roberta's writing style, you'll probably like her approach to helping you lose weight!



    About the Author

    Roberta Temes, (pronounced Temmis), Ph.D. is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, at Downstate Medical School, New York City. She had a private practice in New York City in psychotherapy, coaching, and medical hypnosis for 30 years, and has now relocated that practice to Westfield, NJ.

    Temes is the author of many self-help books and psychology books, as well as the first medical school textbook about hypnosis. She is also the author of the best-selling book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hypnosis. Her latest book is called, The Tapping Cure.

    Dr. Temes lectures around the country at corporate meetings, at medical conferences, and at health spas, too. She did a stint as a columnist for a country newspaper where she wrote about acquiring a country house and the trauma of adjusting to fresh air, quiet, and nature. For twenty years Temes wrote a monthly column for True Story magazine. Dr. Roberta, as her clients call her, is now in practice in NJ where she lives with her husband. Her 3 children are grown, with families of their own.

    "The research is mounting: hypnosis can help you lose weight and keep it off longer . . . This set Enjoying Weight Loss has a lot to offer: a warm, fun hypnotist offering sound dietary advice and a variety of trances for a range of issues, from choosing a food plan to avoiding temptation."

    -Jean Fain, Harvard Medical School









    July 2006 Thread Archive. Back to Previous Page


Topic: Replies: Last Post:
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