Behavioral Health

Iowa Weight Loss Specialists has a team of Mental Health Providers here to provide the best care possible with our surgical and medical weight loss options. Please read below regarding our required evaluation for bariatric surgery, in addition to the individual therapy and groups provided for our patients.

Pre-surgical Psychosocial Evaluation

Not only do insurance companies require the psychiatric evaluation, but more importantly, our licensed clinical mental health team will assess psychosocial factors that can also affect the long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery. Our team will assess factors regarding emotional adjustment and compliance with surgical recommendations to help identify potential challenges that may be a barrier to optimal surgical outcomes. The pre-surgical psychosocial evaluation also provides an opportunity for every patient to establish a relationship with the licensed mental health clinician, who can serve as an ongoing resource if needed. Plan on the evaluation taking anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes with one of our licensed clinicians.

Pre and Post Bariatric Surgery Therapy Services

Iowa Weight Loss Specialists are here to help guide, listen, and give recommendations regarding the hard work and potential challenges that can arise with pre and post-operative bariatric surgery. While many of our patients see significant weight loss and improvements to their overall health conditions, some patients may need additional support in the area of behavioral changes, emotional support, self-esteem, or other factors that may impede long-term success.

Many patients seek individual therapy pre and post treatment to discuss triggers, emotional set-backs, and potential challenges that can surface before or after surgery, or just along their weight loss journey. Some patients may find new challenges such as:

A change in social supports (family concerns with eating, social situations with eating)
Binge eating or disordered eating
Negative body image
Substance abuse
Relationship and work stress
Anxiety and/or depression
Lack of coping skills
Other issues

These factors can impede on maintaining weight loss goals, or may lead to the patient to revert back to unhealthy coping skills. Our team of licensed mental health providers can collaborate with you in creating treatment goals in order to help you with the overall long term success whether you are seeking bariatric treatment or medical weight loss. Some ways that our mental health team can help:

Managing Emotional Eating
Mindful Eating
Increasing Self-Esteem
Implementing new lifestyle
Adjusting to life Post-Op
Awareness of Triggers
Weight Management Long Term

Our team uses evidence-based practices, collaboration, and compassion in order to help you maintain long-term success. Interested in meeting our mental health team? Please visit the Iowa Specialty website in order to find the list of therapists to determine which therapist is right for you.

Our Team

Support Groups

One of the best ways to support yourself and your weight loss journey is to join a supportive and collaborative group environment. Click our link below to sign up for our Iowa Weight Loss support groups:

Support Groups