DO WE ALL NEED THERAPY?

[Angel720 47]

I have just started my journey and am still at the honeymoon stage, I love my sleeve, I am losing weight and finally getting what works and doesn't. I am at a stage that I think: I will never regain, I know it can happen but I will do everything I have to do and prevent it. OK so today, feeling a little bit down emotionally and I seem to be finding all the posts of people struggling and recommendations all seem to go towards needing therapy, counseling, etc.

I am obese, I know I have food issues, but basically my question is, can we get past them on our own? or do we all need some kind of professional help? Are we kidding ourselves thinking we ill work our issued out as we go along?

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I am a fan of using all the resources available to me. It never hurts to get help from professionals (therapy, counseling) and amateurs (support groups, peer groups). Self help (reading, watching videos, workbooks, etc) can only go so far. It often helps to get anorher perspective and talk to someone who understands what you are going through and trying to accomplish. if you feel stuck or would like some help why not give counseling or therapy a try and see how it goes?

[auntiemel 275]

I am trying to blog daily...it helps me hold myself accountable, and I want to be able to document and help anyone else that may stumble upon my blog. I find such inspiration in shellys blog theworldaccordingtoeggface.com and bariatric foodie.com so I wanted to set up my own...if I start sliding I definitely have to be accountable for my actions.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Do we all need therapy? I don't know.

But at 68 years old, I certainly knew I needed to do something differently than I'd done before.

Most people think therapy is primarily for people with mental health challenges. And, of course, some WLS patients do have mental health challenges. But therapy is also useful in helping anyone inspect and evaluate their behaviors, responses, habits and the stimuli that precipitate them.

I'm finding my therapist very helpful as I try (this last time) to conquer my lifelong struggle with obesity. Finding a therapist who's effective for you may be hard, but it could be worth the effort.

[bikrchk 1,313]

I haven't felt like I needed it so far, (I'm 1 year out in October), but I have a great support system in a face to face support group along with several local friends I see outside of group on a regular basis. I've been in my goal range for a coupe of months now maintaining slightly under nicely. For me, success is all about good habits. I eat what I like in small quantities, have a 5x per week exercise habit and maintain my food journal on MFP so I know what's going in vs what's being burned. I went on vacation, put on 5 pounds and had it off the next week by falling back into good habits. Right now I have it figured out, but I would not hesitate to set some appointments with a counselor or dietitian if I were struggling.

[livvsmum 2,368]

I have no idea if we ALL need therapy, but I know I sure did/do. I go every single week to an eating disorder therapist. To be so obese, I definitely had some food issues that went beyond just liking how it tasted. It becomes very easy as you reach your goal to even take it in the other direction and move that compulsion away from over eating and towards over restriction. I would say going to therapy has been ultimately the most important part of this journey for me. I highly recommend it, and specifically working with someone who has a specialty in either WLS patients or eating disorders.

[blondebomb 580]

Iv been in therapy for 3 yrs..it took me a yr to get to the bottom of my emotional soothing. an then when I finally reached the underlyning issues it was like a light bulb moment. your subconscince will work on you when you have been wronged. Behavior changes has to take place. emotional eating is a behavior. when we change one behavior we must replace with another. yea, Iv been in therapy for a while it has helped me termendously. I didnt go thru all of this to myself to end up like this again..BUT..logically right? it will take constant effort for me to NOT eat out of bordom, emotions, big family gatherings that luv to be centered around food, etc...thats why when we go thru the psych eval they learn some things about each one and thats also why they are available during this journey. I would take advantage of it as much as possible an not be afraid to use it. I see mine once monthly sometimes up to 3 months in between. thats my input therapy puts things in percpective.

[Angel720 47]

Thanks everyone for your input, I will start finding a therapist and like said here use all resources available.

[HikeEveryMountain 112]

I'm a therapist and definitely went through therapy during my first year post op. So many emotional and physical changes, it's good to have some help and balancing during that!

[Luvin_Life125 558]

I think therapy will be a benefit to many bariatric patients. We did not become obese because of our healthy relationship with food. I had a pre op psych evaluation with my bariatric clinic and I passed with flying colors. However, after a few weeks of thought and consideration, I have decided to pursue therapy anyway. I want the best possible outcome and the best chance at being healthy the rest of my life. I have also worked my way through a few bariatric self help books. The books have helped me pinpoint where I need to work on.