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Intimacy after bariatric surgery
A bariatric surgery can help you lose a significant amount of weight. This can have a major impact on your self-confidence and your desire for intimacy. In this blog, you’ll learn what you can do in this situation.
Bariatric surgery can help you losing weight. This can greatly affect your self-confidence. It’s possible that your confidence gets a big boost, making you feel more comfortable and daring as a person.
However, it’s also possible to feel insecure. You might not recognize yourself in the mirror. While you’re much slimmer, you may struggle with loose or sagging skin here and there.
How you feel about yourself largely influences your desire for intimacy, and that can sometimes be quite challenging.
Lack of desire for intimacy shortly after surgery
It’s completely normal to have little or no desire for intimacy and sex during the first few months after your bariatric surgery. You’ve gone through an intense period, and you might still feel tired as you adjust to increased physical activity and a new way of eating. Sex might feel like the last thing on your mind.
And you know what? That’s perfectly okay. Its all about you—how you feel and what you need. Sex and intimacy should never feel like obligations but rather something you want and feel ready for. If it doesn’t feel right now, that’s fine. It will come in time.
Adjusting to your new body
With your new lifestyle, you’ll lose weight rapidly—sometimes so quickly that it’s hard to process. Seeing yourself in the mirror might feel strange, and you may not immediately recognize the person staring back. Is that really you?
When you’re still adjusting to your body, there may not be much room for intimacy yet. First, you need to get to know and embrace your new self. Accept that this is how you look now. This is you. This is your body. And wow, look at how far you’ve come and what you’ve achieved!
Only after that acceptance will you feel more comfortable showing yourself to someone else.
Experience from our customer: “Before the surgery, I was quite proud of my breasts. They were firm and full, and I was happy with them. But after losing so much weight, everything has sagged. My breasts now look like two deflated tea bags. It was really hard to accept that and took me some time.”
Compliments and sexuality
Even if you don’t recognize yourself in the mirror and remain unsure about what you see, those around you may feel and say differently. You’ll likely receive many compliments on your new body. People will be proud of you.
Taking the time to process this and telling yourself in the mirror, “I’m amazing, and I deserve to be here,” can give your confidence a significant boost.
And don’t worry—it’s normal for this process to take several months. Everyone goes through it at their own pace.
Experience from our customer: “At first, I found the attention from others very uncomfortable. There were so many compliments, and people invited me out for coffee more often. Everyone seemed so focused on my appearance. But I’m still me. My personality hasn’t changed, and that’s what matters most to me. Although, I do feel more confident now.”
With increased confidence, you may also feel more desire for sex. You feel more attractive, your hormone levels have changed, and your stomach is less of a physical barrier. These factors can all influence your desire for intimacy. Many people experience an increase in intimacy and sexual interest after a bariatric surgery.
At first, it might feel unfamiliar. Your body has changed, so you might also enjoy different things than before. Experiment with whatever you like and talk with your partner about what feels good. Take your time on this special journey of discovery together.
As you explore and feel comfortable, your desire for intimacy may grow. But again, there’s no pressure. It’s always about what you want and feel. If it feels right, go for it! If not, it’s okay to take a step back. Trust your feelings.
The impact on your partner
A bariatric surgery isn’t just challenging for you—it can also affect your partner. Your eating habits have changed, your hormones may make you moodier, and your appearance is different. This can alter your interactions and routines as a couple. Activities you once enjoyed together, like dining out or going for a walk, might now feel different.
That’s why it’s essential to keep communicating with your partner. Talking helps you understand each other’s feelings and work together to address them. How does your partner feel? Is your partner struggling with anything? What do you both need? Starting this conversation might feel difficult, but it will undoubtedly help you move forward together!
