Kitt3000

For the past three weeks I have had significant lower back and shoulder neck pain. Guess what I found myself doing? EATING to make myself FEEL better. Ugggh, didn't work, of course. At least I recognise it sooner now. No damage done, but for pete's sake! Those pesky old responses are tough to recognise, modify behavior, try to figure out what would be a better choice to take care of the real problem. I would like to do that at the moment it happens- not two weeks later to have an ah haa moment, please

@ sparklecat
Wow! Agree, should have bought it, the upside? Having fun shopping looking for one like it!

I am 5 weeks post surgery. I expected to go see one but it turns out I am not hungry at all. The stress eating thing is completely gone. I eat because I'm supposed to but not because of hunger. In fact, it's easy to forget to eat. That never happened to me before surgery.

Ann I liked how you label the years. I am 3 years post op, so here is what I have named mine, in hindsight:
My surgery was Dec 2011 so
2012: Year of losing - wow, I felt so focused, so great. Lots of focus on food and exerciese
2013: Year of hitting goal, maintaining and exploring life, getting plastics, lots of emotional and life changes - the year of a little "crazy". still lots of focus on food and exercise.
2014: I call this year "stabilize". I am referring to way more than weight but rather to finding a lifestyle, a foundation of a new way of life. I had specific (not weight related) goals for this year and I am ALMOST there. More focus on "activity", while still exercising (working around some injuries)
2015: I haven't found my word yet, but I see it as a year of really taking off and leveraging everything that came before. Of building toward a life that is real and genuine for this next phase of my life.
I started seeing a counselor in 2013 and throughout much of 2014. I am cutting way back on that now as I am finding my path.

Great insight also, WL Warrior!! I'll see if I can find one such group around my area. Thanks!

I go to a CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) group 2-3 times a month. It is led by a therapist trained in CBT strategies. At each meeting, the group members take turns talking about the highs and lows happening in their everyday life. Then the therapist presents a new CBT strategy, models it, and the group discusses possible real life uses and application. During the next meeting, we start out with if anyone used the strategy and how it helped. Most strategies are tools to combat stress, depression, anxiety, and addiction (food or substances). The number one rule is that there is no victim talk allowed. Which is great because we get new people all the time that want to throw a pity party.
I use to see a psychologist but quit because I wasn't learning anything to help me or change my life. It was just me talking for a whole hour. It's great to get your feelings out and have someone listen, but it wasn't for me. I always struggled to think of enough things to talk about for a whole hour. Most of the time, I could predict the advice I would get before the session even began.
I like the group dynamic and the feedback I get from peers as well as learning strategies that have real life application. I've got a much better handle on anxiety and depression compared to five years ago and the knowledge and strategies I've learned in my CBT group will continually help me make better choices.

@ sparklecat
Wow! Agree, should have bought it, the upside? Having fun shopping looking for one like it!

Caio, my surgery was August 18, 2014, which was 15+ weeks ago. I'm doing great. If you're looking at this post via a laptop you can see in my signature that I've lost 56 pounds total, including 37 pounds post-op.
Yes, I started seeing the psychologist pre-op. He's one of those who knows a lot about bariatric patients' issues, as well as other issues everyone struggles with. He's an all-around good counselor.
It's important to find a therapist who's compatible with you. I asked absolutely everyone at my bariatric center (except the surgeons) who they thought was the best therapist they'd ever met. Everyone named this guy. So I chose him, and it's been a good decision.
I saw him every week for about a month. And now I see him every 2-4 weeks, depending on my work travel schedule. For now, that's a good schedule for me.

I'm seeing a psychologist. Those who have the disease of obesity -- that's us -- tend to medicate the stresses of life (both rough times and good times) with extra foods and less physical activity. We need to change those "go-to" responses. It seemed a no-brainer to me to give myself all the helpful resources I could muster along this WLS journey.
My plan is to see my psychologist for at least three years during (the following are my own titles):
* The year of losing weight,
* The year of maintaining a normal weight and
* The year of boring real life.

Hey guys, I've just had my sleeve done, and I am wondering if it is it necessary to have a psychological support for some time. I consider that we have 3 factors for not losing weight: a physiological one (the fat cells that try to keep us in the same weight forever), a psychological one (the stress or anxiety is turned into hunger), and a genetic one (there are people who get stressed and get thinner - envy that!). With the surgery we cut the physiological, but the others remain.
What do you do to avoid getting fat again because of the psychological factors?
Thanks!!
Caio

I finally was able to fit into and look good in a bodycon style dress....and it was banana Republic...a brand I have NEVER been able to wear before! I should have bought the dang thing!

I, too, am living vicariously through others in grand parenting . The best news is my 25 yr old ( youngest) is engaged to be married in May Very excited.. And she adores him. So if the oldest ever grows up....in a few years I'll be ready for the next step. Trying to just adjust for now. Happy for those who embrace grand parenting ????

Go walking a new baby grandson awesome !!!

Congratulations !! Such a gift to be happy and healthy for your new grandbaby!

Congrats walker. ????Fun is on the way and a healthy grandma is sooo important

Found out earlier this evening that a grandson is on the way. I am truly blessed to be able to say this little guy will have a healthy and mobile grandma to love and help take care of him.

I've been having fun re inventing my "look". Jeans and Tshirts are the norm, because of all the animals.. But, I've joined Pinterest and have been having a great time "pinning" new looks. It has actually made me less uncomfortable with shopping. In the past, it was find jeans that fit, buy five pair, dozen tee shirts, good to go... Not any more!!! Fun times!
So I guess, I indulge my dream outfit every time I pin!

This LBD

I smile, say I quit eating and laugh! They usually laugh and move along.
I hate people making comments about my weight up or down. I grew up in a house where there was discussion on weight at least five times a day, no kidding. My husband and one adult child knows. That's it.
When we go out to dinner with people, my husband reminds me about the Protein Shake I "just" had, no wonder Im not very hungry....lol
It's no ones business! This may be very petty of me, but I really enjoy saying this to people who made cruel or sideways shots at the heavy me for my girth.

I've been having fun re inventing my "look". Jeans and Tshirts are the norm, because of all the animals.. But, I've joined Pinterest and have been having a great time "pinning" new looks. It has actually made me less uncomfortable with shopping. In the past, it was find jeans that fit, buy five pair, dozen tee shirts, good to go... Not any more!!! Fun times!
So I guess, I indulge my dream outfit every time I pin!

I've been having fun re inventing my "look". Jeans and Tshirts are the norm, because of all the animals.. But, I've joined Pinterest and have been having a great time "pinning" new looks. It has actually made me less uncomfortable with shopping. In the past, it was find jeans that fit, buy five pair, dozen tee shirts, good to go... Not any more!!! Fun times!
So I guess, I indulge my dream outfit every time I pin!

Have you thought about a lap band?

I've been having fun re inventing my "look". Jeans and Tshirts are the norm, because of all the animals.. But, I've joined Pinterest and have been having a great time "pinning" new looks. It has actually made me less uncomfortable with shopping. In the past, it was find jeans that fit, buy five pair, dozen tee shirts, good to go... Not any more!!! Fun times!
So I guess, I indulge my dream outfit every time I pin!

I smile, say I quit eating and laugh! They usually laugh and move along.
I hate people making comments about my weight up or down. I grew up in a house where there was discussion on weight at least five times a day, no kidding. My husband and one adult child knows. That's it.
When we go out to dinner with people, my husband reminds me about the Protein Shake I "just" had, no wonder Im not very hungry....lol
It's no ones business! This may be very petty of me, but I really enjoy saying this to people who made cruel or sideways shots at the heavy me for my girth.

I smile, say I quit eating and laugh! They usually laugh and move along.
I hate people making comments about my weight up or down. I grew up in a house where there was discussion on weight at least five times a day, no kidding. My husband and one adult child knows. That's it.
When we go out to dinner with people, my husband reminds me about the Protein Shake I "just" had, no wonder Im not very hungry....lol
It's no ones business! This may be very petty of me, but I really enjoy saying this to people who made cruel or sideways shots at the heavy me for my girth.