.

Edited May 20, 201610 yr by bellabloom

Well my husband brought this home so it's a good possibility over here. Lord, give me strength!! I think he secretly hates me!!

Oh my god!!! Hahaha

Do you have a good nutritionist and therapist to talk to? They can help you find solutions you may not have considered. They can also help you visualize being successful long term. That might be key for you.

I have the same worries about maintenance. I've never maintained a weight loss for longer than five minutes. When I was researching bariatric surgery, the first thing I did was look up the five year outcomes of surgery vs diet and exercise alone. I was amazed at the long-term success of bariatric patients, especially considering that this is a group not known for handling food well. You are far more likely to be successful than unsuccessful. (The reverse is true for diet and exercise, according to medical research.) So this experience is not like what you've experienced in the past, and you should have every expectation of long-term success.

Anxiety and worry doesn't help. Please don't take this wrong, but are you still in treatment for anorexia? You are thin, you can stabilize and your life will be so much happier when your mind catches up to your reality.

I was overweight or obese from age 6 to about 48....and I have been maintaining a healthy weight for a few years now. I have faith you can too.

Diligence, accountability (tracking for example) not anxiety is the key.

Hang in there and have a little faith in yourself.

I'm not in therapy right now, I lost my medical insurance that covered it. I do wish I had a therapist it would help.

But the little bit I did manage to get has helped a lot and like I said my weight has been stable. I've been doing well on the whole, but this week has been tough.

I have such a hard time with anxiety. If I don't get enough exercise it gets really bad.

Edited February 3, 201610 yr by bellabloom

@@bellabloom, I have been following your struggles with concern for a while now. I am so glad to hear that your weight has stabilized.

I would highly recommend you talk with a NUT about a plan for maintenance. We can give you suggestions, but ultimately you would be best served by someone who can help you tailor a plan to your specific needs.

Also, it is a bummer that you don't have insurance to cover a therapist. I would suggest that you continue to pursue this option. Some therapists do have sliding scales which might be something you could explore.

Also, many support groups are free. Whether it is a bariatric support group that specifically addresses weight loss surgery patients or eating disorders, I have found them very beneficial,

I didn't realize I suffered from anxiety until I lost weight. I had been literally burying it, and when I lost the fatsuit, it had nowhere to hide. It became so obvious to me why I had always regained lost weight, to self medicate the anxiety. My mom and sister both had it, but mine"looked different" so I didn't recognize it.

I hit goal about 3 years ago and two years ago I was managing anxiety through intense exercise, but at some point I decided I was tired of the fight. I sought treatment, learned more about it and my life is just so much better now. I am not saying we are the same, but I recognize some of what you write and I want an easier path for you. If I didn't care I would not be sharing all this. I do care, and I know there is a better way to live and I want that for you.

Check out www.smartrecovery.org . It is an alternative option to the traditional 12 step addiction program alike AA and OA. It approaches your addiction as a behavior that you have the power to change rather than treating you like the victim of a disease. It provide excercises to help you overcome your addiction (including food) and helps you discover new coping mechanisms.

They offer face to face meetings, online meetings, an online forum and a self help handbook. I've only just started, but for $8 for the handbook, it has already been worth it. Don't let your fears and anxiety ruin all you've accomplished.....Take control of your future. (No, I am not a paid spokesperson )

A good friend of mine that is a therapist verified that it is a legitimate and effective program if, like anything else, the participants follow through with it.

@@bellabloom, try your county's health or mental health dept.. You may qualify for low-cost or free therapy. Unless you're located in the middle of nowhere, you probably have non-profit organizations where you might get the same. If you google "California Jewish organizations," "California Catholic....", etc., etc., you'll get lists of possibilities. It'll take a little reading through, but you should find something either free or affordable for you. Don't be deterred by the religious designations: The services are generally available to everyone who needs them.

@@Elode, whose DNA will we find on the fork?

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch Well, my saliva and soon to be my husbands blood if he brings this crap in the house again.

Thanks everyone. Inner surfer girl I did talk with my NUT from my surgeons office and she explained to me that my diet was very high in fat and sugar. At the time my weight was still falling and I felt by lowering those at all I could risk losing too much more. But I did listen to what she had to say and now that my weight has been stable I am feeling more comfortable putting her suggestions into place-basically going back to a low fat moderate carb regime. I can call her any time so I'll be utilizing her for sure.

None of the eating disorder therapists here take my insurance. So ill have to go to a general one and hope they can work with me. I'm not sure I want to. I was in therapy all last year and I only backslid. I'm not sure I respond that well to therapy but we will see.

Kindle that sounds awesome. That's what I want- empowering therapy!! Tools and strategies, not being told you're a victim!! I'm going to look into your suggestions.

Cowgirl- anxiety just rules my life sometimes. It's so AWEFUL. It's been much worse I think since surgery because I was burying it with food too. It's such a terrible feeling. I don't have it every day but I do have it a lot!! It often prevents me from being productive.

The only thing I have found that really, really helps is moderate to intense cardio exercise. It pretty much cures me within minutes and generally lasts a day or two. I've always been resistant to using medications although I've definitely considered it. Especially when it's at its worst!!! I'm glad you found relief , it's a terrible thing to deal with. All my eating issues are rooted in it.

I really have to get to the gym every day. That's the key for me and there should be no excuses. As long as I do that I'm okay.

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch Well, my saliva and soon to be my husbands blood if he brings this crap in the house again.

Hahaha so funny. I'm so glad Surgery ruined me for chocolate. My downfall is caramel!!! Sigh. Caramel....

@@bellabloom Well I almost bought Carmel Hershey kisses today but I fought the temptation.

Sorry I keep having to change my profile picture because every time I get one it just shows my boobs in the stinking circle so I fixed that! I like this one though. It glows! It's easy to see my post. Ha!