Therapy....

[PEvette 297]

Has anyone considered or is in therapy for weightloss/body image issues??? I know people do not like talking about therapy and please dont take it that I am snooping into your life....the question that has been on my mind for a while....mainly because I'm planning to have revision surgery in June and wondering would it be benefitial for me because I've been overweight since age 8, and since having the lapband for the last 7 years has failed me...

I guess I'm just afraid of failure again and want to help myself as much as I can...

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Yes, I am a Marriage and Family Therapist and I know that it's important to learn what's driving us to our emotional eating. A therapist can help you learn coping skills to help with the pit falls that can sabotage us. I like to focus on our automatic negative thoughts that we have to sabotage our success. For example: a common core thought we all have is "I''m not good enough." It can help allieviate our fears and move past them. Anyway's I am so proud of you for all the hard work you've done already! Good Job!

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

PEvette

Hi - i think the stigma behind seeing a therapist has improved.

It sure couldn't hurt seeing someone to talk to and more than likely it will help talking about various issues.

I can totally relate to you "being afraid of failure" , but we can work on this, and come out the better person (easier said then done, i know)

I speak to my therapist about various problems twice a month, but it seems like we frequently get back to my weight issues because thats a very important issue for me.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery

best kathy

[Lissa 2,631]

I'm in therapy, not just for weight issues, but it's helping with that as well. I think it's an excellent idea. I'd even go so far as to say that a mental health checkup would be a good idea for many obese people, both those who are losing and those who aren't.

IMO, it's a great way to identify what your triggers are for overeating and then find a way to work around them. It's been a Godsend for me!

Even if you learn nothing about your weight issues, maybe it will help you build your self-confidence as you lose weight. Being confident that you CAN do this will certainly help to reach goal and to maintain once you reach that goal!

[PEvette 297]

Thanks for sharing everyone....I am looking forward to June! I think I will look into getting a therapist....I believe talking with someone will help....

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

I think it is worth a try. I went to a therapist over a year ago who was supposed to be an expert in eating and food issues. What became obvious is that she was experieinced with bulimia and anerexia - and I just didn't fit into any of the catagories she had. I knew that I wasn't getting anywhere when she loaned me a book about a woman who named her eating disorder "Ed". I really couldn't relate at all. She was really opposed to weight loss surgery as she didn't seem to believe that people overeat because they have an insatiable appetite combined with a lifetime of bad habits. I am thinking there are better ones out there, I intend to start seeing a different counselor as soon as the food deprivation anxiety kicks in. I was sleeved 12/12 and so far, so good, no big anxiety or food mourning or anything like that yet.

[Amanda131 214]

Hi PEvette-

I actively sought therapy prior to getting sleeved for resolution with my food issues. Like you, I had been heavy since I was a child but I managed to drop 80 lbs. on three different occasions and then promptly gain it all plus 10 lbs. back. I wanted to figure out why I have done this, why food had such a hold on me and whatever I needed to know to finally be successful.

The therapist I choose helped me with all aspects of my life because, really, all aspects of my like contributed to my dependency on food. She then helped me discover where my relationship with food went wrong, what my triggers were for poor choices and how to change my behaviors.

The work we did before surgery was huge in prepping me mentally for life with a small stomach. I continued to see her for the first four months post-op as I found that I needed a sounding board as I worked out my new lifestyle. I stopped seeing her for about 6 months and just last week popped in for a "check up".

It seems I am hung up at 205 and I am making poor choices keeping me here. I actually have anxiety about what life will be like once I get under 200 (totally weird, I know). Anyway, having that pre-established relationship allowed me to drop in and work on getting my head right. Basically, she helped me recognize that I fear that once I hit goal I will start to gain again like in the past.

Long story short, I am big fan of using a therapist in this journey. I believe our head/emotions are big part of what lead to the weight gain and this tool will not be effective unless we get those right. I figured that if I was willing to permanently remove 80% of my stomach, then I better be willing to talk with someone to make sure this tool worked forever. But, this is just me and my experience. Others may feel differently.

Best of luck to you on your journey!

Amanda