new and researching - ThinnerTimes

bebop · 11-14-2007, 06:52 PM

I am seriously considering gastric. I have read everything I can find about it. any advise?

Claire-in-Texas · 11-14-2007, 06:56 PM

Hi, and welcome tot he forum!

Your question is very broad - I wouldn't have any idea how to answer it. Is there anything specific that you have in mind?

Best of luck!

bebop · 11-14-2007, 07:11 PM

not really sure lol sorry. I am a stress eater. that is the one thing that worries me about having the surgery. what if I get so stressed and eat too much? that is scarey to me. low willpower.

Toony · 11-14-2007, 07:34 PM

Hi Bebop... welcome to TT. Are you going to support groups yet? it's a good place to talk face to face with others who have had the surgery --- I'm still pre-op, so I'm not much help - but you can start working NOW on curbing your stress eating. I'm using my "wait time" (insurance) to "practice" eating without drinking 30 min before and after meals, chewing everything and not swallowing until it's the consistency of applesauce, getting my 64 oz of water in (not a problem), and learning to focus on what is HEAD HUNGER and what is REAL hunger. It's a lot to learn, and as much as I complain about waiting for insurance approval (see signature picture below), I'm glad to have the time to change some habits, research the whole business, talk to others (here and IRL*), and get 100% into the program.

Have I been good and lost a lot in the past 4 months? NOPE! But I have changed several habits. Once the "tool" is in place to help me with the rest, I'm sure this will work for me. The "tool" will curb the hunger pangs, make me feel full sooner, and make me feel full LONGER...

Lots of good books out there. My favorites are Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, The Real Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery and if you really want to explore the whole internal dynamics of losing weight and the real-common-sense explanation of the value of exercise with diet, pick up YOU: On A Diet. AWESOME book! I got them all through the library, but have since purchased my own copies to have on hand for those times I need to refer back to them.

Does any of that help??

katie

Rachel · 11-14-2007, 07:36 PM

Hello and welcome to the forum!!! I myself am an emotional eater. You are already ahead of the game because you have recognized the issue. I would recommend that you keep a diary of the stress and the eating. Once you have to write everything down, it makes it real! It is kind of hard to deny it once you have written it down. It worked for me.

It will also give you a chance to see what the big stresses are in your life. Once you find out what those are you can move on to try and conquer them. Therapy is great! Self help books are amazing!

Good luck to you! I say research research research!!!

Claire-in-Texas · 11-15-2007, 05:24 AM

Fabulous responses, girls!!!!

Stress eating - YES!!! I ate when I was stressed, I ate when I was happy, I ate when I was sad....I ATE.

If you are considering Roux En Y Gastric Bypass, here is what you can expect, combined with some preliminary work expressed by Katie (Toony) and Rachel above:

(This is, of course, my own expereince and opinion here) - Immediately after the surgery you are like an infant, starting all over again as to nourishment. There is no hunger. You start with liquids (including sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles, and feel so happy just to get them down (no hunger). Then, after a period of time (varies with surgeons) you move on to thick liquids like protein shakes and thick soups. After that stage comes pureed foods. After that stage comes soft foods. After that stage comes regular food. The pouch limits how much you can eat, along with advice from your surgeon as to amounts.

At about 5 months out I started to feel hunger,but I had had so much practice in dealing with food issues at that point that I no longer ate for any other reason than nourishment.

(I have to admit here that I am tempted when bored, or at home too much, but I can usually fight that off).

I don't mean to over-simplify this very complex surgery - I am just dealing here with food issues. None of us here (and I feel comfortable saying this) would be here if we didn't have food issues. You are definitely not alone!!

Please keep those questions coming - that was a really good issue that you brought up.

bebop · 11-15-2007, 10:41 AM

thanks everyone for the responses.

I am also disabled. I am not even able to do simple chores around the house so yes boredom does have a big play in this now too. and I don't eat junk food lol I want real stuff lol meat and taters lol. lately though I would say in the last 9 months or so I want sweets alot of the time. I am also diabetic. errrrrrrrr anyway how do you do the exercise when you can't?

Claire-in-Texas · 11-15-2007, 10:52 AM

There are actually a lot of exercises you can do laying down or sitting in a chair. There is a program that is on PBS here which is called "Sit and Be Fit." There are also DVD's out there on exercising with low impact.

I aquajog in a warm therapy pool. Feels delicious and total low impact.

Hope this helps!

bebop · 11-15-2007, 10:57 AM

oh ok thanks!