– I was happy to have the operation approved, but at the same time I felt that I was giving up when I agreed. That’s what Stine Blekkan from Melhus in Trøndelag says. She underwent bariatric surgery in 2021, after she had struggled with obesity for several years. Today, Stine has what she herself describes as a well-functioning body. But the road has been both long and difficult. No follow-up In the time after the operation, she lost weight. But as the kilos disappeared, Stine felt that she was also losing herself. The person in the mirror was no longer the same. – I didn’t recognize my face. I couldn’t see the change that other people saw. For me it was like seeing a ghost. – There was no spark of life. It was completely empty. The 24-year-old is clear about what she believes is missing after such an operation, and what could have helped her with the difficult thoughts. – A psychologist should be at the top of the list. Stine wanted a lifestyle change and a healthy body. Photo: Privat Stine talks about poor follow-up and a lack of information from the healthcare system about the psychological challenges that come with it. – The only thing they said before the operation was that it is important to be open and honest with those around me. What does that imply? According to Stine, the follow-up afterwards has been a couple of phone calls about how many kilos she has lost, what food she has eaten and how much activity she has been. – There is not a single question about how things are going with me. Stine Blekkan has no doubt that a psychologist should have been part of the support team following bariatric surgery. Photo: Karoline Opsal Too few resources – We would have liked to have a psychologist in the support team, but unfortunately access to resources is quite scarce, says Jorunn Sandvik. She is a specialist in gastroenterological surgery and senior physician at the Surgical Department at Ålesund Hospital. She makes no secret of the fact that bariatric surgery is taxing both physically and mentally. – In the phase where you lose weight, a lot changes. Then the relationship with the surroundings also changes. Nevertheless, she points out that it is rare that there are such major psychological problems that one needs an emergency psychiatric appointment, and that the resources are often rather prioritized with other patient groups. – The problems are simply seen as too little serious. Promise of a better life Stine carried out the operation privately at Aleris because of the long waiting time in the public sector. – It was a promise of close follow-up, and a better and simpler life. But after the operation, Stine saw nothing of what she had been promised. No one had prepared her for how tough everyday life would be. – I felt like I was on autopilot for a year and finally hit the wall. It wasn’t until Stine went to see a psychologist that she unraveled the difficult thoughts. Photo: Karoline Opsal The GP thought she was burnt out and referred her to a psychologist. – I received help and confirmation that the thoughts I had were normal. Has five years of follow-up – It’s sad to hear about Stine’s problems, which we at Aleris have only received information about via news. That’s what overgrowth surgeon in Aleris, Bent Johnny Nergård, says. He says that it is not common for them to receive complaints about psychological problems after surgery. – We are keen to inform our patients well about what surgery entails and what follow-up it requires. Obesity surgeon in Aleris, Bent Johnny Nergård believes that there are offers for those who need psychological help after the operation. Photo: Aleris – In the case of major physical changes such as after obesity surgery, it is important that you are well mentally prepared for the challenges you may face after the operation. We therefore always inform about this. Aleris says they have a 5-year follow-up program where they can get help from a surgeon, specialist nurse, nutritionist and physiotherapist. – Should patients report mental health problems, we will be able to refer them to our mental health team with speech therapists and psychologists who can help both in the hospital and digitally. No regrets Although the mental problems have characterized large parts of everyday life at Melhus, Stine says that she is in a better place mentally now. With the help of a psychologist and an online coach, she has been given the tools she needs to deal with the thoughts that come her way. She hopes that can be an offer for everyone who undergoes bariatric surgery, without the costs being too great. – I’ve got a well-functioning body that allows me to do what I want. That was the goal. She says she is glad she had the operation, for better or for worse. – Today, I no longer feel that I gave up, because no matter what I had chosen, it would have been a fight. Today, Stine sees physical activity as a place where you disconnect. Photo: Karoline Opsal
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Afterwards, she found that she did not get the help she needed – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
