Been a while... - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

bezobraz · 09-10-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayanara

Sadly that is easier said than done. I had my surgery done in Michigan, I live in Ontario, about a 4 hour drive away. Second, I don't have a psychiatrist, never did, was not a requirement for me. And lastly, no support group around me. I have searched. All the ones are surgeon specific, I have even called some up asking if they would allow me to join and I have been rejected (nice eh?).

So aside from the monthly e-mails I get from my surgeon's office with their newsletter I no longer am in contact with them at all. Mainly due to distance, second due to cost since Ontario insurance only covered the cost of the surgery, nothing really afterwards except the needed post-ops, but those ended at 1 year.

I am looking for others in the area, would be nice to have someone to talk to who has gone through the same thing. One of my best friends had the surgery too, but she lives in Kansas, so other than phone and the occasional visit it gets hard.

These are not excuses though, just realities. I am trying.

Started the 5 day pouch test again today....of course my office has free cinnamon buns....Granted I could've only had a bite beforehand anyhow, so no big loss. But the smell is what is really driving me nuts.

But being good and sticking to my liquids

You sound better already

Keep it up!!

I hear you about reality! I can't believe that support group rejected you - what is wrong with them!!!

You still can find therapist - do you have health insurance? I hope you do, call them and ask them for list of therapists. I would meet a couple of them to see which one can be a best suited for you.

DAMN, it made me so angry you were rejected by support group!! They should know better ...

Da' hell with them! Organize your own group! All you need is to find people who had the surgery - we all struggling at some level, we all need each other!

Keep us posted!
-tonya

bezobraz · 09-10-2009, 02:04 PM

Just remembered one more thing ... similar to AA, there are and OA - Overeaters Anonimous Overeaters Anonymous - Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous

Before I opted to WLS I was looking into joining in. I never did. I came to the local meeting, but I chickened out at last moment and never went into the room ...

I know it is easier said that done ... but such meetings exist and they will not tell you that you can't join!

-tonya

blevy · 09-10-2009, 02:12 PM

I'm sorry you're going through this!!! I hope you find the help that you seek and if not you have US!!!!

Dayanara · 09-14-2009, 10:27 AM

Ugh, I have zero willpower lately. Was doing awesome on the five day pouch test until yesterday. I cheated...with salad. That sounds sooooo silly to say though.

My dad made this huge garden salad and I just had to have some, was tired of tuna, eggs, ground turkey, etc etc. Wanted something crispy like lettuce. So I had a small bowl with less than a tablespoon of non fat dressing.

So I beat myself up all night about it and had a breakdown. Well the breakdown was mostly due to my hair (got a hair cut to try and make it look fuller, but made it look even worse). I want my thick head of hair back so bad *cries* I am tired of hair that looks and feels like straw and is so thin.

Sorry for venting again...just a bad day.

Josephine · 09-14-2009, 10:55 AM

Oh sweetheart, that salad didn't hurt you. You are doing great. Keep it up with the pouch test. I know you can do this!! Plus your hair will grow back. It's gonna be okay.

watfam4 · 09-14-2009, 12:35 PM

I did the same thing between 18 and 24 months post-op. I found that I could eat junk, and junk was available, so I ate it. I gained a good 15+ lbs back before I realized that I even could.

This was kind of a turning point in my weight loss journey. It was at this point I realized that I could not rely solely on my WLS to govern my eating and that it was up to me to "use" the tool. What I have found is that WLS has given me a measure of control to maintain my weight that I have not had before. It's still not "easy" but it certainly easier than it was pre-op.

IMO - the real learning to use your tool post-op does not begin until you're maintaining your weight loss (around 18 - 24 months).

Toony · 09-14-2009, 12:42 PM

Hey Day... I hear you! I'm able to eat just about anything, and have been STUCK in the 210's for the past 6 months... It's frustrating and I know what I need to do to get this back in gear. I've been through too much to stop right here... It's very easy IN MY HEAD... now to implement things... it is a struggle and will be for the rest of my life...

I am so thankful for the surgery and to be where I am now... it's constantly on my mind and I need to take charge and get a plan in action. 5 day pouch test... here I come!!!

Katie

OsoDelDesierto · 09-15-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watfam4

I did the same thing between 18 and 24 months post-op. I found that I could eat junk, and junk was available, so I ate it. I gained a good 15+ lbs back before I realized that I even could.

This was kind of a turning point in my weight loss journey. It was at this point I realized that I could not rely solely on my WLS to govern my eating and that it was up to me to "use" the tool. What I have found is that WLS has given me a measure of control to maintain my weight that I have not had before. It's still not "easy" but it certainly easier than it was pre-op.

IMO - the real learning to use your tool post-op does not begin until you're maintaining your weight loss (around 18 - 24 months).

Jim, thank you for putting this into words for me - this is exactly where I find myself at 19 months post-op! With the VSG, I don't dump and have only a smaller stomach to keep my portion sizes in check, so I have to be vigilant about using my "tool". Lately, my vigilence has slipped, and it's not good.

I've gotten into eating too many things that don't fuel my body properly - way too much sugar and flour has crept back into my diet. My weight goes up or down, depending on what I've been eating (imagine that!) - eating right puts my weight where I want it; eating crap starts moving the scale dial upward into unacceptable numbers!

I put on weight in the last month after two separate week-long vacations (San Francisco and Northern California in mid-August and San Diego last week) with lots of eating and no gym visits (just lots of walking), plus a week of major junky stress eating in-between (done in hospital cafeterias and snack bars while I was serving as medical POA for a dear friend who had two surgeries, was on a ventilator in ICU, etc. - he's doing well now, thankfully). My first visit to a scale in over a week yesterday was u-g-l-y!

So, puting my other tools to use with my VSG, I'm getting back to doing six days a week at the gym instead of three and cutting out sugar and white flour again, plus listening to my Tranceformations self-hypnosis tracks on iTunes and iPod (for encouraging unconscious/subconscious healthy eating habits that nourish the body properly), so I expect my numbers to go back down where I want them - between 225 and 235 (no more than 240!) seems to feel and look best on me...

watfam4 · 09-15-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OsoDelDesierto

Jim, thank you for putting this into words for me - this is exactly where I find myself at 19 months post-op! With the VSG, I don't dump and have only a smaller stomach to keep my portion sizes in check, so I have to be vigilant about using my "tool". Lately, my vigilence has slipped, and it's not good.

I've gotten into eating too many things that don't fuel my body properly - way too much sugar and flour has crept back into my diet. My weight goes up or down, depending on what I've been eating (imagine that!) - eating right puts my weight where I want it; eating crap starts moving the scale dial upward into unacceptable numbers!

I put on weight in the last month after two separate week-long vacations (San Francisco and Northern California in mid-August and San Diego last week) with lots of eating and no gym visits (just lots of walking), plus a week of major junky stress eating in-between (done in hospital cafeterias and snack bars while I was serving as medical POA for a dear friend who had two surgeries, was on a ventilator in ICU, etc. - he's doing well now, thankfully). My first visit to a scale in over a week yesterday was u-g-l-y!

So, puting my other tools to use with my VSG, I'm getting back to doing six days a week at the gym instead of three and cutting out sugar and white flour again, plus listening to my Tranceformations self-hypnosis tracks on iTunes and iPod (for encouraging unconscious/subconscious healthy eating habits that nourish the body properly), so I expect my numbers to go back down where I want them - between 225 and 235 (no more than 240!) seems to feel and look best on me...

You get a little complacent and then "life" happens and screws up your diet!!

(I'm glad to hear your friend is doing well)

I'm going to predict that your weight will drop back down quickly and that you'll develop a new confidence in using your new tool that you have not been able to enjoy with your past diets (bet on it)

OsoDelDesierto · 10-02-2009, 09:20 AM

Just to update readers of this thread, I've been eating better generally (with occasional non-nutritious choices

), and the scale has gone back to numbers that please me. The vacation weight actually came off quickly (lost 8 pounds in one week!) and I'm maintaining a healthy, attractive weight, so I know my tools still work.

I'm using my Trancework self-hypnosis CDs (from the psychologist and behavioral nutritionist who work with Dr. Andrew Weil at his Integrative Medicine Center here in Tucson) again daily, and that's really helping to reinforce my healthy eating habits and my desire to eat healthy, natural foods instead of unhealthy, fattening, overly processed foods. Feel free to PM me if you want more information about this program.

Trish (Dayanara), how are you doing in this process? Hope all is going well with returning to healthy eating and that you will post your experiences here - it was nice to see you back on the Forum...