Bariatrics and Weight Management - Salford Royal

When we meet with someone individually, we will look at some of the challenges or barriers they might be experiencing when trying to lose weight and try different techniques or strategies to overcome them. There is a particular focus on comfort eating and using food to regulate mood.  We might also consider some of the different factors which have impacted on their relationship with food, weight, eating, or appearance, and how these might be maintaining any difficulties they are experiencing with their weight. We do not weigh people as part of the treatment.

Bariatric surgery assessments

For some people, they may consider accessing weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, to help them in losing weight. If this is the case, as part of the bariatric pathway, they may be asked to see a psychologist for an assessment. Bariatric surgery is major surgery which requires people to make significant and sustained changes to their eating pattern for the rest of their life. Sometimes people are afraid that their psychology assessment is something they may “fail” and therefore not be able to access surgery. The assessment is not designed to create barriers to surgery, or to cause any unnecessary hurdles. It aims to maximise the chance that the surgery will be a success, both in the short and long term, and to ensure that people fully understand the potential risks and consequences of the surgery. It also provides people with some space to consider whether they want to proceed with surgery, if they are not yet fully decided.

Sometimes this means that people will be asked to make changes, or to access another service or treatment, prior to receiving surgery. We appreciate that this can feel frustrating, but it is ultimately to try and give people the best chance at succeeding with the surgery.

If you are thinking about accessing bariatric surgery, you can find lots of helpful information, including details of our pre-surgery education group, here: https://salfordbariatricsupport.wordpress.com/

In addition to working with people individually, we also offer a 6-week group. The group programme looks at aspects such as:

• Meal planning and self-monitoring
• Mindful eating
• Managing hunger and cravings
• Setting goals and making changes
• Managing mood and unhelpful thinking patterns
• Managing stress
• Coping with meals out and social eating
• Managing challenges or setbacks

Some people who are overweight describe binge eating, which can be a symptom of an eating disorder. If your experiences and symptoms meet the criteria for an eating disorder, then we may discuss referring you to the local Eating Disorder Service in order to access treatment, rather than in our service.

If you’re concerned that you may have an eating disorder, you can find out more information and get support from Beat, the eating disorder charity: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

We are located on the ground floor of the Clinical Sciences Building, with the entrance opposite A&E. You should receive a map with your appointment letter, which will include the location of our car parks. The most convenient car park for accessing the Clinical Sciences Building is the North car park. Please be mindful that there can be queues for parking at times, so allow plenty of time to get to your appointment. 

Use this link to access directions to Salford Royal.

Accessibility

As a service, we pride ourselves on being inclusive. We are aware that illness and disease affect everyone and we will strive to offer a responsive and sensitive service to you whatever your lifestyle or faith, and take account of your cultural and linguistic needs. We are also open to receive feedback on our service to continually improve and encourage those of you who have attended the department to let us know your experiences and any ideas you have.

There is wheelchair-friendly access to the building via a ramp. Please let us know if you require any other adjustments to enable you to access the building.

Please note that we are not a crisis team, and we are not able to provide on-the-day appointments. If you feel that you need urgent mental health support, or you do not feel able to keep yourself safe, then please contact your or GP, your local crisis team or attend A&E. If you are an inpatient at Salford Royal, or you do attend A&E, then you may be referred to The Department of Clinical Health Psychology offers psychological therapy for adults who would like support with their psychological issues connected to their physical health difficulties.

 We work closely with medical and allied health professionals in each team to deliver high quality psychological care alongside medical care. We are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medication. Please see each speciality for further information.

How to make a referral:

Referrals are accepted for people aged 18 years or over.  There is no upper age limit providing the criteria for referral are met, although in some circumstances an Older Adult Mental Health Team may be appropriate for people over the age of 65. 

We ask that referrals are made by a qualified medical professional or a member of staff who is part of an allied health profession. 

We are unable to accept referrals for people who:

• Suffer from head injuries, dementia or neurological problems
• Are already taking part in psychological therapy elsewhere.  Under some exceptional circumstances it may be necessary to receive treatment with another mental health team at the same time as undergoing therapy at the Department of Clinical Health Psychology, e.g. when a person is already being seen by a Community Mental Health Team, Substance Misuse Team etc.
• We are happy to receive referrals for people who suffer from a learning disability as well as a health condition.  We are unable to accept referrals for individuals who only wish to focus on issues connected with their learning disability.
• Suffer from a severe and enduring mental health condition such as psychosis, bi-polar disorder or personality disorder unless they have been assessed by a psychiatrist and their condition is now stable.

Currently we do not offer home visits. 

Due to a very high demand on our service, we regret that there are waiting lists.  Due to this there will be a delay before people are offered their first appointment. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you wish to discuss a referral or a patient’s psychological wellbeing. 

If you are an inpatient at Salford Royal, or you do attend A&E, then you may be referred to the Mental Health Liaison Team. There is also an Out of Hours Helpline available.

There are lots of different resources that can be helpful in supporting you to make changes with regards to weight management. Here are a few of those that you might find useful, including some resources for individuals who are binge eating. You can also find some resources that can be helpful for aspects of mental health and wellbeing such as mood, anxiety and sleep.

Apps

Change4Life

https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/

A Government app which provides: advice around calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar in foods. Provides guidance on activity and making healthier food choices. Also provides recipes to try.

Couch to 5 k

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/  

Helps people start running from nothing to 5k in 8 weeks. Gives audio instructions which start from 30 seconds running in 5 minutes and aims to increase fitness gradually.

NHS weight loss plan https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/start-the-nhs-weight-loss-plan/  

12-week diet and exercise plan which provides online support from a community, a weekly progress chart and education around making healthier choices.

Recovery Record : https://www.recoveryrecord.co.uk/

Designed specifically for individuals with an eating disorder. Offers: Meal plans, Coping skill strategies, meal logs and social platform.

Strength and Flexibility https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/strength-and-flex-exercise-plan/  

Helps people increase fitness strength and flexibility by giving free equipment free exercises which are also accompanied by ‘how to’ videos.

Books

Compassionate Mind Approach to Beating Overeating

Author: Ken Goss

ISBN-10: 1845298772

Beating Overeating Using Compassion Focused Therapy to understand and work with our urges and passions for food. Aims to help readers learn to enjoy and accept food paying attention to biological and emotional needs, whilst controlling urges.

Diet Trap: Feed your Psychological Needs and End the Weight Loss Struggle

Authors: Jason Lillis, Joanne Dahl, Sandra Weineland

ISBN-10: 9781608827091

An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy book which aims to help develop mindful eating habits, self-compassion, and a greater understanding of your values. Develop other ways to manage emotions, rather than emotional eating, and change your relationship with food.

Overcoming Binge Eating Disorder

Author: Chris Fairburn

ISBN-10: 0898621798

CBT perspective which provides education, skills and strategies to make changes for individuals diagnosed with binge eating disorder.

Overcoming Weight Problems

Author: Claire Grace

ISBN-10: 9781845290689

CBT perspective which aims to help educate readers around their weight difficulties whilst also changing behaviours and increasing motivation.

The Diet Trap Solution: Train Your  Brain To Lose Weight And Keep It Off For Good

Authors: Beck, Judith S Beck, Deborah Beck Busis

ISBN-10: 178180589X

A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy perspective book which aims to

Help readers learn to identify their specific diet traps, prepare for their personal triggers and create action plans to strengthen their 'resistance muscle’.

Weight Escape

Authors: Joseph Ciarrochi, Russ Harris, Ann Bailey

ISBN-10: 1472119231

An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy perspective book which aims to:.

Focus on the mental barriers that can stop us setting and achieving our goals, it promotes a holistic approach to wellbeing and weight loss - one that goes beyond meal plans and calorie counting to give a deeper meaning and mindfulness to how you live and what you eat.

Uses practical exercises, quizzes and personal stories.      

The Intuitive Eating Workbook: Ten Principles for Nourishing a Healthy Relationship with Food

Author: Evelyn Tribole, Elyse Resch

ISBN-10: 1626256225

A mindfulness based workbook which addresses the ten principles of intuitive eating, and provides an evidence-based model to help readers develop a healthy relationship with food, pay attention to cues of hunger and satisfaction.

Websites

Centre for Clinical Interventions: Disordered Eating:

https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Disordered-Eating

Information around disordered eating accompanied by written exercises and tasks.

Weight Loss Resources:

https://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/

Offers a calorie counter, food diary, recipes and other resources to support weight loss.