About this episode
Thinking about starting a GLP-1 medication or having bariatric surgery? What should you know about your mental health, nutritional deficiencies, emotional eating, and relationship with food before treatment begins?
Whether you're considering Wegovy, Zepbound, gastric sleeve surgery, or gastric bypass, preparing for obesity treatment involves more than understanding weight loss and physical side effects.
In this episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach, hosts Mike Donnelly-Boylen and Zach Niemiec welcome Dr. Lillian Craggs-Dino, registered dietitian, and Dr. Nini Peterson, clinical and health psychologist, to explore the psychological and nutritional considerations before starting an obesity management medication (OMM) or undergoing metabolic & bariatric surgery.
Mental Health & Psychological Evaluations: Why psychological evaluations before bariatric surgery aren't simply pass-or-fail tests, how depression and anxiety fit into treatment planning, and why mental health support should help patients access appropriate care rather than create unnecessary barriers.
Vitamin Deficiencies & Mental Health: How deficiencies involving thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin B12, other B vitamins, and copper may affect neurological and psychological health, and why nutritional screening and monitoring are important.
Food Noise & Emotional Eating: How GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery can change hunger, appetite, coping mechanisms, body image, and relationships with food.
The MIND Diet & Brain Health: What the MIND diet is, what research suggests about nutrition and cognitive health, and how its principles may fit into obesity treatment.
Family Support & Long-Term Care: Why loved ones shouldn't become the "food police" and why multidisciplinary support from dietitians, behavioral health professionals, and other members of the care team matters.
How should I prepare mentally for bariatric surgery or GLP-1 treatment?
What happens during a bariatric psychological evaluation?
Can vitamin deficiencies affect mood, energy, or cognitive health?
Do I need to address emotional eating before starting treatment?
What is the MIND diet, and how does nutrition relate to brain health?
How can family members provide meaningful support?
Preparing for obesity treatment isn't about becoming a perfect patient. It's about having the right support.
Patients deserve evidence-based, compassionate care that supports their nutritional, physical, and psychological well-being before and after treatment.
Help us reach 1,000 YouTube subscribers! Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone considering obesity treatment.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeightandMeasurePodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45vJYXZC0ciTNpfwoc9CVI
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weight-measure/id1886848263
Website: https://weightandmeasurepod.com
More Science. Less Stigma.
This episode is educational and does not replace individualized medical, nutritional, or mental health advice.
#BariatricSurgery #GLP1 #MentalHealth #ObesityMedicine #WeightAndMeasure