Hello all! I am still going through the pre-op processing. Had my first NUT appt. last weekend and have a psych eval in 2 weeks.

Yesterday in my research I dared to venture on the long term results of WLS. Read much about how after 2 years it becomes really hard for food addicts like myself. I was very discouraged. Started thinking why would anyone put their body through such a major surgery to just go back to the same old weight and problems?

Then I remembered that I am a Project Manager by profession, and pretty darn good at my job! I go into each project with all my research and all the risk awareness and then I create a risk mitigation plan. lol.

So, here are things I cannot change:

1. I am a food addict.
2. Sleeve is just a tool and will not help me if I am not willing to let it help me.
3. I will still love food and will probably feel miserable to be separated from my first love.
4. I may have emotional issues and challenges along the way

But here are the things I can change:

1. Take control! After all it's my life!
2. Start making changes now instead of waiting for after surgery - Eat slower, Exercise
3. Continue reaching out to all my fellow sleevers for support
4. Start getting psychological help to deal with my food addiction.

So, today, I ate a half a sandwich and 6 cubes of tofu in 45 minutes. Magic happened! I was full! I did not gorge the food down.

I also plan to exercise this evening.

I can do this! We all can!

We just have to know the devil and have a plan to defeat it!

Edited February 7, 201412 yr by bigloser2014

sounds like you have a great POA... good for you

Maintenance is the hardest thing with all life changes like this... but while I may not be losing as fast as I hoped, I am "maintaining" and that is NEW for me ... so it's all part of the journey, and all good... we can do this!

You might be pleasently surprised after your surgery to find that there were hormonal factors driving your food addiction and they are largely corrected by the removal of the portion of your stomach that secrets gherlin. Many of us have very little interest in food post surgery and find our appetite and food cravings have dropped way back. The more behavorial changes you can make prior to surgery, the easier the time you will have dealing with your new eating habits. My new addiction is for physical activity.I keep exploring new forms of exercise. When I am angry or upset, good vigorous exercise seems to be a better "cure" than food. I am like a kid in a candy store when it comes to exploring what I can now do phyisically that I couldn't before. How often are you exercising? See if your team will help you develop an exercise routine pre-surgery. Mine had me exercise 4 times a week. I already did the eliptical and strength training but they had me add swimming 2X a week. It was a huge challenge, but now I am skiing, snowshoeing, training for a 5k and just signed up for an unlimited 2 weeks of yoga. Focus on your non-weight loss goals for post surgery. Shop in regular size departments, travel on a bus or plane and be able to fit in a seat. Focus on what you are giving yourself and others by the gift of a second chance on your health, rather than on what you are giving up.

Great plan. Being on this page helps me, and I plan to go to some in-person support groups too. My program offers excellent post-op support, and I will see the psychologist and Nutritionist again in about a month. I am also in regular contact with my Nutritionist via email. I hope all of this will help me in my times of desperation. And I can see my health changing for the better in many ways. As a Type I diabetic (the kind that can't be cured) I have seen my insulin needs drop and my blood sugars become a dream come true! Thank God! If nothing else, this surgery is bringing me closer to a cure than anything ever has. I am forever thankful!