I'm new to this conference so please bear with me. I had my surgery on July 22, 2015. The best! Did so well and continued to do well with my eating, etc. UNTIL the last three weeks. I get stressed, I eat. I'm happy, I eat. Non-stop grazing on candy, Cookies, crackers! I just want to crawl under a rock. I just can't stop. The compulsion is BACK in full force. I'm so scared that I've already wrecked my stomach. I just can not believe I find myself in this position only after 3 1/2 months. I've read some people's post saying that they've gained back the weight after years. Now I find myself in a short time stalled on the weight loss. Not losing but not gaining either. I've heard that the first year for gastric sleeve is the year that you will lose the most weight. Now I'm scared that I've totally blown it. Any words of advice? Thoughts? Help?!?!?!

Short answer is this -

Only you can help you..

You know what you're doing...

You know the consequences of your actions...

If you want to stop, stop...

Get rid of all the s**t from your pantry/cupboards etc...

If it aint there, you can't eat it...

You CHOOSE to eat...

So CHOOSE not to..

Good luck to you...

I hope you get your s**t together and make your way thru this...

One of the surest ways to crave junk is to eat junk.

I highly recommend you make an appointment with your NUT today.

In the meantime, go back to basics.

Make sure you are getting in all of your Protein and fluids, and taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed. If you get in your protein and fluids you are less likely to be hungry. Also, we often think we are hungry when in fact we are thirsty.

Also, are you taking a PPI?

It's not too late to be successful. Now that you recognize you are struggling and need help, you have taken the biggest step in the right direction.

You can do this!

Embrace the Stall!

http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

How did the candy and Cookies and junk food get in your house? In your hands?

Throw it out right now, and don't go down those aisles in the grocery.

You are like an addict right now - someone that quits drinking doesn't go hang out in a bar or stock up their liquor cabinet, and you should be avoiding your food triggers just the same. Don't shop at your normal grocery even if you need to change up your routine. But stop bringing bad things into your house. If you live with others, then they'll just need to deal with eating healthier at home and eat crap when they're not around you. This is a huge deal - don't focus on being a failure, focus on the future!

And definitely get in ASAP to see your NUT or a counselor - your head is not in the right place and you have to refocus and get serious about changing your lifetime of bad eating habits.

You can do this - just be strong and seek out help and commit to working hard at eating the right things.

Edited November 12, 201510 yr by FrankiesGirl

You must get the junk away from you! If it is a temptation, remove it. You do need to see your NUT though. They can help.

STOP

You have to make new reactions/responses. It it makes a difference write them down. Seriously, make a list of 5 things you can do other than eat. The next time you get the impulse to eat when you shouldn't use you list. You have this new tool and you are in the honeymoon phase where key weight loss can happen if you let it.

If it becomes too much of a problem, it may be time to explore therapy and figure out why you are doing this to yourself.

colleenrocks (yes, she does rock since that's my name, too!) I feel for you. You've received some great advice. Get rid of the trigger foods around your house. If you have a family that wants them, sit down and discuss treats they can have that don't tempt you. For example, I loathe cheese-its. My husband loves them. If he wants a salty treat, he buys those instead of chips. I did need to ban Peanut Butter from my house. I could eat an entire jar in one sitting.

Anyway, I used to not think I was an emotional eater. The shrink at my psych exam suggested I seek outside counseling to help get my issues with food in order. After my first session, I was so emotionally wound up that I opened up the fridge and stuffed my face--not with goodies or food I love--just with leftovers that somehow triggered the "comfort" feeling in me. For the first time I realized maybe I was an emotional eater. I just always thought that was seeking out the really good stuff.

The therapist asked me to think of things I could do instead of eating when I feel sad or upset or stressed. It was surprisingly hard for me. Finally, I thought of my pets, the dog who loves unconditionally and the cats who love me despite myself. I could spend more time with them, groom them, play with them, take the dog for a walk. The added bonus is they provide emotional support. Anyway, that's something that has worked for me. She also suggested I keep a diary and write down when I do eat something I regret and try to think of what I was feeling at the time.

Sorry for the long story. I'm still going to the shrink (I haven't had my surgery yet). I think it is helping me a lot. My insurance has a deductible, but after that they will cover the therapy. If you can afford it (or if your insurance company will pay) you might want to look into it. I know the State here also has a mental health bureau where people can seek counseling. They look at your finances and only charge you what you can afford.

You can do this. I bet you've tried a million diets before. Look at those before pictures. Think about the weight you have lost. Think of the money you spent--I'm a cheapskate, so hoping that one works for me when I find myself where you are now. This is a little speed bump. Speed bumps are a way to grab the driver's notice and tell them to pay attention and drive right. Follow your road map and drive.

If you know what foods are triggers for you don't buy them. For me its the snack cakes hot pockets cereal and chips. I could consume my weight in all of those in a week so we don't buy them. My hubby also knows hot dogs are a weakness of mine. I can eat a full 32 pack in 4 days so there banned

I found apps like "loseit" and vigilantly tracking what I eat helpds and keeps me focussed. Right now your full time job is to get to goal. Each morning, determine what you are going to eat for the day and stick with it. Look through the recipes here and other sites and prepare them.

Good Luck. It's a battle.

Very serious advice:

Find yourself a good therapist ASAP.

That's what they're good at helping us change: compulsive behavior, impulsive behavior, self-destructive behavior.

You aren't caring for yourself. You need to learn how to do a much better job of self-care.

Don't waste this opportunity to actually change your life. If you need help to do that, find the help.

You CAN do it.

Thank you one and all for some great and sound advice! Yes, call my NUT. Duh, why I didn't think of that?!?!!? Therapy. Yes, Obviously I'm carrying some issues around. Find something to do! Picking up the knitting needles after work.

One question for Inner Surfer Girl what's a PPI?

Thanks again for support. I feel like a new person today with all the ideas. Back to basics!

@@colleenrocks, glad to hear you are back on track. Be careful with that knitting! I got mine out last month and I think O've given myself carpal tunnel syndrome already.

A PPI is an acid blocker like Omeprazol (Prilosec, etc.). A lot of people have acid which feels like hunger.