Basic Program
My Self Design is a unique, individual (one on one), counseling program for Bariatric surgery patients involving 18 counseling sessions over the first two years after surgery. It is a cognitive behavioral model of therapy and participants can begin anytime in the several months before or following their surgery.
Treatment is also available with appropriate webcam and computer equipment. Lap band and gastric bypass patients need to make significant long-term behavioral changes and MSD is specifically designed to assist them in that process.The My Self Design program tracks patients through 4 stages of recovery using eating and photo journals, homework reflections, and special exercises designed to help patients achieve a full, and life long recovery from morbid obesity.
Patients and surgeons agree that weight loss surgery is a tool, not a cure. Some recovering patients fall short of their potential for long-term success because of non-surgical issues that are never adequately processed or resolved. For example, post op patients may be surprised by deep feelings of grief and loss, or disturbed by changes in familiar relationships as significant weight losses occur. Patients need to understand and prepare for the emotional hurdles ahead of them, plan for possible relapse and anticipate the fears they will inevitably experience about possible weight regain. Long-term recovery requires reliable support, learning to plan, and most of all, expecting success.
It can be frightening to expect success in an area that has always been marked by failure. It can be overwhelming when long awaited success finally arrives. Success sometimes falls short of the dream we have for it and we are reminded of the old adage: “Be careful what you wish for.” My Self Design engages people in securing the success they have wished for and managing that success when it comes. It is a unique counseling program that teaches participants how to develop and implement healthy, new life plans, new personal designs that are fundamental for maximizing the positive potential of weight loss surgery and making those results permanent.
The 4 Phases of the Basic Bariatric Surgery Counseling Program
Phase I
Phase I explores eating and weight histories from a psychological and behavioral perspective. This is a time for planning and organizing the changes in behavior that will need to occur. Participants identify previous behaviors and relational factors that have contributed to their morbid obesity. Participants are required establish nutritional, primary care, and group support. Each person will begin an extensive photo journal about their Bariatric surgery experience during this phase and each participant will begin reading and completing home assignments.
Phase II
During Phase II, My Self Design participants establish regular monthly meeting times and long range goals. Journal up dates begin and email check-ins help to maintain contact between sessions. New “Self Designs” are established and put into action including behavioral strategies designed to meet each individual’s needs. A family or “significant other” session is planned during Phase II. It is important to meet with the important people in a participant’s life in order to establish open collaboration and ensure as much family support as possible.
Phase III
Phase III sessions are scheduled approximately every 6 weeks. Journal up-dates continue with each visit and “Self Designs” are reviewed and revised as needed. Relapse prevention strategies are explored and practiced so they will be second nature by the time the honeymoon draws to a close. Structured home assignments accompany each session and email contact continues during this phase of treatment. This is the beginning of the maintenance stage of change.
Phase IV
This is the termination phase of treatment and occupies the final sessions and months of participation. Phase IV culminates in a summary of each patient’s accomplishments and a graduation ritual designed by each patient to commemorate the completion of their recovery journey. This is the true beginning of the patient’s new life. If the 4 phases are navigated successfully with new self-designs intact, then the prognosis for long term success and maintenance of weight loss is excellent.
If problems develop after treatment My Self Design counselors provide numerous additional resources to assist patients in regrouping and returning to their healthy routines.