Hello everyone!

My name is Becca and I'm 33 years old and live in San Francisco, CA. I was previously banded on 10/01/2009 and had to get my band removed with my gallbladder on 05/14/2015. Since the surgery in May, I have gained about 20 pounds. I am supposed to have VSG on 11/12/2015 ... insurance permitting. I am so over feeling sad, anxious, and out of control during this waiting period. I am compulsively eating and trying to get it all in while I can.

I was able to take off 100 pounds in the 5 years after my lap band surgery; mostly from working out and eating healthy. Now I just feel like that same 300 lb. girl, even though I'm still far from that. I want to be out of the waiting period desperately and regain control of my life. Please tell me this is worth the wait!? I want so badly to be healthy and happy! Any words of wisdom are welcome.

Thanks,

Becca

You are having what we call a food funeral. It's hard to eat less when you still have a regular stomach. By the time you lose the first thirty pounds you will start to feel the difference in your gait, your posture, your digestion and flexibility. My surgery improved my blood pressure and cured chronic diverticulitis.

If you are not already on a medication for depression, ask your doctor about. My bariatric physician prescribed Wellbutrin at my first visit. My appetite went down and my libido went up. Just this past Monday my primary doctor increased the dosage to help with my appetite and I could feel the difference after the first day. Hang in there, the waiting is actually the hardest part of this whole deal.

Preach my anxiety/depression sista! I am in the same place as you. I have issues with anxiety and depression which I finally sought help with about 5 years ago. I am T minus 29 days and counting to my vsg and I've turned into a raging lunatic. I'm more excited than anything, but what little nerves I have about it has triggered an obsessive level of research and preparation.

If you aren't on medication, talk to your doctor about it. When I finally went on meds, my parents took a deep breath and said "finally." They noticed the difference before I did and we all realized this was a problem I've been fighting all my life (so it's probably an hormonal imbalance in me).

Start a journal and write down how you are feeling. Express your excitement, nervousness, sadness, vulnerability, and low self esteem. And then write about the things you do like about yourself. Each day you will find that the list increases a little. You lost 100lbs! That's like losing a sixth grader! That's awesome! Do you like your eyes? Do you like that you are smart? Do you take pride in your humor? Whatever it is, write it down.