ISLANDERS who have undergone surgical and medical weight-loss treatments are calling for more psychological support – warning that without mental health care, many are left to struggle in silence after life-altering procedures.
It comes after local charity Jersey Eating Disorder Support this month launched a new peer support group focused on bariatric surgery amid an apparent surge in the number of people with binge eating disorders in the Island.
Chief executive Karen Dingle told the JEP: “I’ve got a pie chart which shows how many people suffer from each disorder, and I show it to people on courses.
“They always say that the largest section – which is almost half the circle – represents anorexia nervosa, because there’s a lot of talk about anorexia nervosa, but it is binge eating disorder.”
She said that people “absolutely” need to be more aware of the mental impact of significant weight loss.
“I think there can be a lack of awareness and lack of understanding of what people need when they go through these types of surgery,” explained Ms Dingle.
“If you’re losing half your body weight or more, you’re going to look in the mirror and maybe not see what other people are seeing.
“You may still see the person that used to look back at you, and so then it gets really difficult for people, because it’s like they don’t know themselves.
“It’s a really difficult transition, and I think having somebody to talk to at each stage of what you’re going through can be incredibly helpful.
“Having a counsellor there who’s going to listen and empower the person to embrace their new body can be incredibly helpful.”
Helen Treby, who co-founded the Jersey Bariatric Surgery Support Facebook group, said there is a “severe lack of psychological support” in Jersey.
“The States pay for surgery, which myself and so many people are grateful for, however they do not provide psychological support which can cause patients more issues further down the line,” she said. “Surgery is a tool that helps you lose weight, however it doesn’t alter your brain.”
Alex, who lives with autism and depression, said his experience using the weight-loss drug Mounjaro felt isolating.
“Nothing was offered [in terms of mental health support], and I don’t think people realise how essential that support is – especially when you’re dealing with autism, depression, and the sensory and emotional sides of eating,” he explained.
“Mental health is still a daily battle. You don’t magically wake up confident just because your clothes fit differently.”
He called for “better mental health support, more local knowledge about medications like Mounjaro, and financial help for people who need access but can’t afford it.”
For Sam Fairbanks, who underwent weight-loss surgery in 2022 after reaching 230kg, the journey was transformative – but far from easy.
“I knew I would lose weight after the op, but I didn’t expect the results to re-write so much in my head,” he said.
“The mental side I feel isn’t really something that is communicated to people about this. It changed everything for me.”
Becky Scally, who was on the waiting list for weight loss surgery for almost 10 years, agreed that there wasn’t much emotional support for those undergoing the procedure in Jersey.
“I’ve not had much support about my mental health,” the 43-year-old said.
“I’ve only seen a dietitian once since the operation, and the after care is lacking in support.”
Ella, who is in her 20s, turned to weight-loss injections and eventually surgery after struggling with binge eating disorder since childhood.
“As much as I physically can’t binge eat anymore, I still have that obsession with weight, just the other way around,” she explained.
Ella said there “definitely” needs to be more mental support for those who have had weight-loss surgery.
“I don’t want to speak for other people but, in my experience, it was quite obvious why I needed the surgery,” she explained.
“I quite obviously have a problem with food and overeating and binge eating, and that is a mental thing. That stems from trauma, it stems from really deep-rooted things.
“This surgery isn’t a fix and you still have to work hard. I still have to make good choices and sometimes that is difficult.
“So I think when someone is on weight loss injections or going for surgery, it’s for a reason – and that’s often because they are unable to do it on their own.”
Jen, who has previously had a gastric band and bypass and is now on Mounjaro, said she received no input or review from dieticians or nutritionists, and no psychological input to address her issues with food.
“I’d love to see a form of rehab for those with obesity who have poor relationships with food,” she explained, noting that this could include input from psychiatrists and dietitians and focus on exercise, wellbeing, shopping, cooking, and body image.
In a series of powerful personal accounts, Islanders open up about their reasons for undergoing weight-loss surgery and injections, and why the real struggle often begins after the procedure ends – don’t miss Monday and Tuesday’s JEP.