Its taking a toll on me

[anna9/15 93]

I have to take pills to sleep, when i wake up im in total panic..i am over a month out..pills,therapist and new nutritionist.what else can i do to ease this anxiety..i feel so scared .

[Dub 9,922]

Is there anything in particular that you are scared of ?

Or is it just general fear ?

[anna9/15 93]

I honestly think its this lifestyle change..mentally it doesnt seem as if i was ready

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I don't have any solutions -- just some questions:

Anna, is your therapist any help with this / these issues?

Are you addressing this with her/him?

Also, do you have access to an in-person support group where other WLS patients attend? If so, do you think meeting some people who have recently had WLS would give you some comfort and some new friends who could help you adjust to this new lifestyle?

[anna9/15 93]

I just started with the therapist last week..i see her again saturday..yes we do have groups but there twice a month

[libby43 136]

Have your sleeping medication change after you had surgery or the doses changed? I would call my surgeon and get in with him. He might know best on how to handle this for you or who to send you to see. My heart is breaking for you. Call today

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

For me, naming the fear helps. Example, if the fear is of failing again - focus on success stories and pix, track your intake, give yourself pats on the back for following your program etc.

If your fear is of complications, perhaps avoid reading the very emotional posts by people currently experiencing complications, instead, read research that proves that it really IS a small percentage of people that have serious complications.

Try taking walks, call a friend, get outside of your own head a little.

I hope the counseling helps, but it could be partially due to the hormone fluctuations caused by rapid weight loss too. Hang in there and keep your eye on the prize ,- remember WHY you did this. For many of us, WLS saved our lives.

[anna9/15 93]

Just found out my nut wasnt really trained in this feild persay so all the education i received wasnt that accurate. .so its like starting over again, and now i need additional time off work ..just paid for a new nutritionist and will have to pay for more classes and medication

Well Vitamins

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I have seen two nutritionists -- both of whom primarily work with diabetics who are struggling to manage their disease through diet.

Honestly, I found my NUTs pretty worthless. I don't think they taught me anything useful.

Happily, my bariatric P.A. is brilliant about nutrition for bariatric patients. I've learned a lot from her. One thing she guided me toward was increasing my calories gradually upward (while I was losing weight) so that I wouldn't teach my body to survive on too few calories.

I'll be forever grateful to her -- I'm in maintenance now at 140 pounds and averaging 1,700 calories/day to maintain.

[anna9/15 93]

My fear is now now not knowing what to eat now that im on regular food and the list they provide are for foods i cant tolerate or dont like..example hummas and refried beans.yuck

[Jovie62 135]

This surgery is a HUGE adjustment mentally and physically, at least for me it is. I too was having a lot of anxiety and fear. Still do just not as much. Basically we had to give up every addiction over night. I used food for so many reasons other than nutrition. Just keep using your available support and resources and remember to keep LOVING YOURSELF! You're s strong person who made a decision to better yourself. Be proud of that and breathe. In time it will get better. Take care

[anna9/15 93]

Thank you for your encouragement

[lorri716 256]

Go to as many group sessions as you can they really help. You need to make sure you are seeing a therapist who deals with weight loss not just a general therapist.

[mommy319 31]

There's some good advice here. Keep reading and you will find some things that really help. You will get through this. I was feeling a little lost and my local support group only meets 1x a month so i found groups in surrounding areas to attend. As far as the food if you dont like some of the suggestions find something similar. If there is something you didnt like pre surgery you may find that you like it now. Since your fears may be tied to the hormone changes you are going through just stick to the plan.....protein first, then veggies and Water, water, water. Keep coming back there are a lot of people here to help. You can do this. You will get passed this.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

You're on soft foods. So what foods do you like? You don't have to eat hummus or refried Beans. Find something high Protein that you like and eat that. Do you like chicken? Poach a chicken breast, cut it up and then finely dice it. Make sure you have broth or a tiny bit of gravy. Remember it needs to be melt in your mouth soft. Measure out ¼ cup and try to slowly eat that. If you like Soups, try your favorite Soup with a tsp of unflavored Protein powder added. (Do not cook the Protein Powder in it. Add it once it has been put in a bowl or cup).