BATON ROUGE — While losing significant weight often leads to improved health and happiness, experts suggest it can also bring about profound changes in personal relationships. Psychologist Leslie Heinberg highlights that any major life change, such as substantial weight loss, can have both positive and negative effects on the dynamics between partners.
Heinberg explains that the shift in physical appearance and lifestyle can influence the way individuals relate to one another. “Whenever a person undergoes a significant transformation, it’s bound to affect their relationships,” Heinberg said, adding that the effects may vary based on the situation.
The emergence of GLP-1 obesity medications, which are still relatively new, has left some wondering about their specific impact on relationships. As these drugs contribute to weight loss, the full scope of their effect on personal connections remains unclear. However, Heinberg points to existing research on weight loss surgeries, which suggests that the impact of surgical interventions can be significant.
“Studies show that while many relationships remain intact after bariatric surgery, there’s a notably higher rate of marriages occurring within five years post-surgery. At the same time, there’s also an increased likelihood of separations or divorces following such procedures,” Heinberg noted.
Challenges often arise when one partner isn’t fully aligned with the other’s new lifestyle—particularly in areas like diet changes or increased physical activity. Heinberg emphasizes that a lack of support can strain the relationship.
Moreover, changes in sexual desire following weight loss can also complicate matters. Heinberg advises couples to navigate these shifts by maintaining open communication and exploring new, healthy ways to connect. Keeping these lines of dialogue open, she suggests, can help partners better support each other during such transformative periods.
“Most relationships, though, do weather the storm and adapt, finding fresh ways to bond and support one another,” Heinberg concluded.
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