Minnesota Redhead

I feel this too. Must be after the year I've had of losing weight that the newness wears off and you realize that this is what life will be like. I find myself a bit bored and trying to find things to fill my time. For me, it was also giving up the alcohol. I used to love to come home on a Friday night and have my husband make me a Cosmo (or two or three) at our bar. Or to invite over a bunch of people for appetizers and wine. Food and alcohol were so much a part of my social identity. I was the entertainer, I was the great cook, I always had the stocked bar. But now I am able to breathe, and I can walk and garden and do so many other things that I hadn't been able to for so long. My health has returned and I am no longer diabetic. So yes, no regrets. But I get what you are saying about the lack of coping mechanisms...and for me it is also a lack of social outings that don't involve food or alcohol.

So earlier this week I was battling with some lack of focus in my efforts to stay on track. I am 1 year post-surgery, have lost a good amount of weight, but I still have about 30 pounds to go before I get to my goal weight and goal BMI. I have been stalled for a while and I was feeling down. I want to thank you all for sharing your stories on this forum! Reading all your experiences, troubles, successes, and thoughts has re-energized me to lead the healthy life that I know I need. I live pretty far from my hospital so it's hard for me to attend the once a month support groups that they offer. This on-line forum has allowed me to check in each day with others who are fighting the same battles that I am and has provided me a way to reach out to others who know the road we are all on. I may stay on forever, I may stay on for a couple of weeks, but this forum and all of you came along at the right time for me. So thanks!

I am 1 year post-surgery and I've had great success losing almost 90 pounds, but I have about 30 more pounds to get to my goal weight. Recently, I'm finding that I'm cheating by eating sweets. I know I shouldn't, but I'm just failing at keeping them out of my mouth. Started around Halloween, continued through Christmas, and right on through to the Superbowl. My weight loss has been stalled, but you can understand why, can't you?!!! I'm just really mad at myself right now. I keep asking myself why I am not being stronger about this? Why am I self-sabotaging? I do seem to be more depressed of late, some days I just don't want to get out of bed. Real lack of energy...but all my blood work is normal. I was hit pretty hard by the death of my father in January and I'm still dealing with the grief and responsibilities around that. I have an upcoming appointment with my therapist, so hopefully she can help me sort it out... Question: Does anyone have a suggestion for how to "detox" from the sweets? I was wondering if I should do a couple of days of liquid diet or protein shakes or something like that? Any suggestions? Thanks for listening!

Hi there! Have you had your surgery yet? You should ask your DR their thoughts and advice because they have a well defined protocol for check ups and appointments. I seemed to have a bunch of appointments with my DR and Dietitian in the first month, so would you be able to get back and forth to those? I am not an expert, but I can tell you that sitting for long periods and riding in the car were painful for my incisions and abdomen in the first few weeks. And moving through the early food phases was the hardest part for me. I felt really good the first two weeks and tolerated the liquid diet phase well. But at week three it hit me hard- the whole drain of the surgery and the physical changes really hit me with fatigue. Plus, moving from the liquid phase to the soft foods was hard as you start to "feel" the food more in your new stomach pouch. I had a lot of nausea and vomiting at that stage. So having some extra help really sounds excellent, especially with groceries and food prep. Just be aware that you may need to be closer to your team for appointments for follow-up.

Thanks for the advice!