Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) presents “Ask an Expert”, a series where team members from our Bariatric Centre of Excellence answer questions they commonly encounter. For more information on our Regional Bariatric Care Centre, please visit bit.ly/TBRHSC-RBCC. This month’s question is answered by Dr. Julie Rinendeau, Psychologist.

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Why is bariatric surgery a tool?

Bariatric surgery is one treatment to support people living with obesity manage their health and weight. But success with health and weight management does not come from surgery alone. Surgery is only a tool. The tool alone will not provide you with continued success and improvements in overall health. You and the tool together – that’s where the magic happens. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits such as healthy eating, incorporating movement into daily life, getting adequate, quality sleep, and managing stress can be expected to substantially affect the success of living with bariatric surgery.