Behavioral Health Resources

The behavioral health portion of the bariatric program is another aspect of the support system designed to help you get ready for the surgery. All patients participate in an initial program behavioral health evaluation to demonstrate their understanding and readiness to make lifelong lifestyle changes. You will be asked many questions to test your knowledge of bariatric surgery and to get to know you personally. Additional behavioral health visits prior to surgery focus on helping patients apply changes in lifestyle and behavior required to qualify for surgery. Common topics discussed before surgery are the discontinued use of nicotine products, alcohol, or marijuana, portion control, emotional eating, self-image, expectations of surgery, depression, and anxiety. After surgery, behavioral health support will continue to be available to you as you adjust to the bariatric lifestyle. Unexpected life stressors tend to be the most common challenge patients face after surgery, so we hope you will utilize the behavioral health support available to you here to stay on track with your health goals.

Nicotine Use:

Healthy Androscoggin – your connection to resources for smoking cessation

Maine Quitlink – statewide support available to help you with smoking cessation

Center for Tobacco Independence

Alcohol Use:

SAMHSA – For counseling providers who specialize in substance use or addiction, you can locate providers in your area using the treatment locator provided by SAMHSA

Alcoholics Anonymous in Maine

Quick resources online to help you reduce/eliminate alcohol use:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/11-ways-to-curb-your-drinking

https://www.alcoholproblemsandsolutions.org/control-your-drinking/

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/stress-coping/alcohol-use.html

https://www.recovery.org/alcohol-treatment/binge-drinking/

https://bariatrictimes.com/alcohol-use-and-health-risks-survey-results/

https://bariatrictimes.com/alcohol-and-the-gastric-bypass-patient/