Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How To Mentally Start Over?



Recommended Posts

I'm right there with you guys. I was banded April 2011 lost 94 lbs by January & then got an unfil bc I was having a lot of trouble with solid food. Since my unfil January 19th I have gained 4 lbs & find myself going back to bad habits. It's hard loosing 10 lbs a month 9 months straight & then nothing! I am very disappointed in myself:( However I have come to realize that this affirms why I got the band. I need it to help me & I haven't truly fixed my mind yet.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry to hear all of us are in the same boat. The Lap Band Support group therapist I went to actually just started a group last week (16 week class) that was covered by my insurance (as group counseling) to deal with Emotional Eating. We're obviously all battling our food demons and emotional stress and having to "restart" mentally. It's hard but if we take it day-by-day and look at the small wins (the big one making the decsion to live longer by having this surgery) then we'll be OK.

I was banded in July 2011 and was down as low (high) as 40 lbs but because I haven't felt any restriction and haven't learned how to deal with my food issues, the weight started creeping back up. I'm now 30 lbs down but my goal is to make my goal weight by the end of this year. I know it will be a struggle - I'll probably even sabotage my success but all I have to do is look at my kids (and my fat driver's license photo) to remind myself of where I've been and where I want to be - - alive to see my kids get married and have families of their own.

Best of luck to all of us. We're already winning - we're looking to each other for support and we're trying hard to deal with our issues.

May

GLove: hope you have a date scheduled soon. Best of luck. The recovery is hard the first couple months after surgery but then you'll feel fantastic.

P.S. I am a SoCal person as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@May, I just read your blog. Really enjoyed it. Tell me, can you eat salads yet? I hate the thought of not being able to eat raw veggies. I juice, so perhaps I can juice my veggies and still get the great nutrients in that way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi GLove. First of all, sorry for the horrible spelling errors in my last post (I think I cleaned it up). I have definitely been able to eat salads (a Souplanation visit at least once a month) and side salads for dinner with no issues. Becuase of this last fill (on Monday) which puts me now at 8 1/2 ccs full, I won't know if I'll be able to eat salads like I have been able to but like you, I will look to juicing because I hate to think I'm missing out on veggie nutrients. My doctor on the other hand, thinks veggies are overrated and thinks the body just needs Protein.

May

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

wow!! thats what Im going thru---the whole mental block thing. I havent given up, but Ive just slowed down my activity & thats bad!! I havent lost weight since January--Ive not gained either. Ive had 2 fills so far, I feel some restriction. My other problem is, I dont chew slowly & thoroughly & I eat too fast.

We will get out of our slump & carry on!! Positive thoughts of encouragement being sent your way!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow this was up my alley. Been banded since 9/2011. First yer I was a beast! Working out, running, teaching Zumba. Then bandiversary came and went. By oct off the wagon an gained 15lbs of the 70 I lost. Started "snacking" overriding the band by eating ice cream, sweet tea, frappucino and coffee almost daily.

YES u can trick the band by drinking high calorie drinks, ice cream etc etc

Just got a full for first time in almost a year and I hope to be back in track. Doc was not upset, said we're gonna keep filling to stay on track and reach my goal. Gettin slowly back into my exercise

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey I'm going through the same thing. I have gained and lost the same 1 pound for the last two weeks, after losing 50 pounds since surgery (not easy, but I followed the rules). I am still following the rules, but a couple of business lunches have taken their toll this week. At least with the band, it is relatively easy to go back on the diet. Now if I could just quit being so hard on myself...that is the difficult part. Try to be kind to yourself, you are only human and you are so very close to your goal weight (lucky you!).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I still eat too fast but my portions still pretty good. I did not get my 2nd fill as I had lost 5 lbs so he has happy- I wasn't, but maybe ill lose 5 lbs more.before next mo? least the gym is becoming a part of my life and hopefully with summer near -i will really drop with pool n beach etc and eating fruits etc --just a whole different enviroment for me. I am ready to sweat the lbs away/

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can't stress this enough - the band and getting it filled is supposed to help you.

I'll paint a picture: I have a leak, so have had no restriction for 2 months. I've been watching what I eat, measuring my food, counting calories exercising, all to maintain my weight.

I saw my dr yesterday and he withdrew all the liquid from my band. I had 5cc of the 7cc he put in there a couple of weeks ago (so definitely leaking). No wonder I was hungry all the time!

I got to his offices absolutely starving (because I hadn't had lunch) and he decided to push my band up to close to the point where I had the best restriction (8cc).

In the few seconds it took for him to depress the plunger on his syringe and put that 8cc, I went from hungry to not-in-the-slightest-bit-hungry.

That's what being in the green zone is. It stops you from being hungry. I have been killing myself trying to stay away from chips and ice cream and slider foods the last 2 months and today, after the fill, I have zero desire for any of it.

So if you're struggling, go get fills and get in the green zone. I cannot stress that enough.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know exactly how you feel. I had to have my band unfilled totally due to needing my gallbladder out. Since then its been a nightmare. I drink soda and been eating sweets and eating all kinds of crap. I think the best thing to do for us to get back into it is just to jump back in. I got my band refilled today and I am so ready! I wanna start losing weight again!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry you had to have gall bladder removed, hope you are feeling better. BUT you have 9lbs is to go WOWEEE congratulations!! Maybe that's why my surgeon is going slow, and as long as I'm loosing every month, I will get there, I just need for warm weather to come. The blood work came back depleted of Vitamin D- they gave me pills, hope this gives me more pep- but I am ready for that SUNSHINE- feel better Dawn- you will make it

!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey everyone, OP here....just wanted to update. Weighed in today and im 165.4 !!! I need to update my ticker. Total loss is 64.6. I have basically gone back to basics...weigh, measure, no soda, sliders, track my food. I have allowed myself treats (pizza, mexican food) bc i am living life afterall.

Best part is I fit in a size 12 now!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×