Life Problems And The Sleeve

[dooter55 35]

Hi All,

I am presleeve (and August 18th can't get here fast enough) but I have been reading online and watching a lot of youtube about people that get the sleeve and are still unhappy - not unhappy with the sleeve but unhappy that they still have other life issues. I'm trying to get into the right mindset prior to surgery and set my expectations.

Currently, I think a lot about food, my weight and have a lot of self-hate and guilt. I have cycled through DEBG: deprivation (diet), elation (excited to lose weight), binging (life happens and throws me in a tailspin) and guilt (for not being strong enough to keep the weight off) for the last 15 years.

In my head, I don't think that the sleeve will make me happier (the other stresses in life -work, money, family, etc aren't going away). I guess my hope is that it will give me some quantity control and relieve some of the self-hate and guilt around my weight and lack of control with food. I know that I will still be thinking about food constantly but I imagine it will be different (did I drink enough Water? did I get all my Protein in?).

I use food as a coping mechanism and need to find something to fill that void. What do post-sleevers that have used food as comfort do to fill that emotional void? Exercise? A new hobby?

Prior to deciding on the sleeve, I did a couple rounds of hcg, which requires a hormone injection daily and a 500 calorie diet. I found that I was much more emotional during these rounds (mourning food) and it really tested my self-control. While I lost weight with the program, I have gained most of the weight back (surprise...surprise). I finally decided on the sleeve, after seeing my twin sister have success, because I don't think I can go through the DEBG cycle again.

I don't want to develop a cross-addiction or get divorced post-sleeve, so I was hoping that I could start working on some of the issues now - understanding that it will be an ongoing battle. If you have gone through this or have any thoughts, please share with me.

[mommymar 34]

I food HCG too. You are in for a world of difference. I thought more about food with HCG because I was hungry, not satisfied, weak, no energy. With the sleeve, you are not hungry. And I am using this time (I have not had any hunger pain yet) to try to deal with head hunger. You are on the right path by thinking about it now. I have learned that you prepare ahead of time for weak moments. Each person I am sure has their own "fixes" but here is mine: I only keep one package of 100 calorie pack choco covered pretzels that will take away my sweet tooth (I usually eat 3 pretzels maybe 2x's a week) but when I get depressed I have my Ipod, work out shoes, nook and some "before" pics in a bag. It's my "sanity kit" I am sure I will continue to add things as I find them. You are being smart, this will help you be successful. Congrats and good luck

[Pookeyism 1,143]

Read "The Power of Habit" - read it once for content, read it again to absorb it, read a third time and take notes....seriously...you will see once you read it.

[Pennie 66]

You are very wise to be thinking about this now. Really - serious applause to you for that. So many people go into WLS thinking that it will be some magic bullet that will not only melt away the pounds but also make them happy/successful/insertanythingelsehere. These are the people that end up unhappy (and possibly posting videos about it on youtube!) My support group leader always likes to remind everyone that sleeve surgery is surgeon on your stomach and not your head. Any life issues you have now will not be resolved just because 85% of your stomach is removed.

Most surgeon's offices have a psychologist either on staff or a list of therapists that they refer patients to. You may want to consider meeting with the psych and just discussing your fears and expectations. They are really in a good position to help you work through this because your concerns are VERY common in the bariatric community.

I honestly think the fact that you are aware of these issues, and are thinking about them now, speaks volumes. That, in itself, is seriously half the battle. Now, the other half I don't have any specific advice for you other than talking it through with a professional. Our individual psyches are too complicated and unique for any sort of blanket advice I can think of.

You are going to do well... I can tell. Good luck and congrats on your upcoming sugery!

[allmyjoy 21]

I started on line classes. It helps, i'm not very talented when it comes to artsy things and stuff, but pinterest has lots of great ideas that will keep your hands and brain busy! I too have always used food as a coping mechanism, and you know it just makes things worse. We feel so bad after we eat that large blizzard! LOL After surgery you will think about food alot! Is it time to eat, do i have my Protein, has it been 30 minutes, what can i eat, what does my sleeve want today? Its a every day, I am out 9 weeks, i would have the surgery all over again! I love my new tummy! Just treat it like a baby, you wouldnt want to start your newborn off on an unhealthy diet, right? Well we have a new chance with our baby bellies, this time we have control of them, no one else!!!! Good Luck!!!

[Catracks 865]

That's what the sleeve did for me. It was mostly about quantity control for me. Along the way I also learned how to eat healthy. Now nothing that isn't the best tasting or best for me goes into my sleeve. Did you ever eat Hot Cheetos just because they were there. I didn't even really like them.

I can now eat a bite of cake and ice cream and push it away (oh well, birthdays happen).

As I've said before on these boards: I am a total foodie still and love to plan and cook meals, but I'm not obsessing about lunch as I'm eating Breakfast, you know?

To me there is no void. I actually enjoy my food and take time to taste it.

Other have different experiences and find it a chore to eat, but that's not me.

[dooter55 35]

Thank you guys for your tips and support! I hope that I too am able to shift the way I think about food and learn to savor it instead of trying stuff myself to feel better or feel that I need to finish my plate. So excited to get started!!