Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Injuries that have made me gain, so depressed



Recommended Posts

A couple of months ago I had a really bad fall and chipped my knee and tore my rotator cuff. The knee is healing nicely but finally had the rotator cuff surgery. During this time period I could not do ANY walking or treadmill and after the surgery my doctor told me I couldn't work so I have to take two weeks off. Even to type this is painful! I cant even sit and knit or do puzzles or anything. So I have been sitting in front of the tv, and eating. I found I was boredom eating and even ate some days where I made myself sick. I have discovered that carbs are easy to digest and not getting enough Protein I am sure. If I have to eat another almond or Protein Bar, I am going to die. I am also on medication that is making me hungry too I think. I am allowed to go back to walking but still cannot use my shoulder for anything and am BORED TO DEATH! How do you handle boredom eating? The pounds are starting slip back on, and I am getting so depressed. I tried to go back on just shakes, but found I as so hungry and just don't know what to do with myself till I can return to work. My husband told me not to worry about it, I have to get my shoulder better, but I do not want to have to lose a ton of weight after I am healed and am afraid of having to face that. What can I do? I am evening debating picking up smoking again to give my mouth something to do! I have never really been an emotional eater and learned long ago how to handle boredom eating with knitting or projects, but am lost now! Any ideas?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Give yourself three days to eat as much as you want . . . but only lean, unprocessed meat (no bacon, sausage, Jerky, deli meat, etc.), green veggies, and healthy fats (olive oil, grass fed butter). Seriously, don't worry about counting calories or anything like that, just be very strict about the type of food you can eat. You can't complain about being hungry or needing something to keep you from being bored if you allow yourself unlimited food. And you can't do much damage, calorie-wise, with lean meats and green veggies.

Eating like this for three days will help decrease your cravings for high carb and high sugar foods. The more you eat of those, the more you want them.

Good luck! I am sorry you are suffering with such a nasty injury.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Have you tried reading? When I've been bed ridden in the past I've found that I get hungry watching TV but reading makes me forget about food. Maybe you should give it a try.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When I start wanting to eat out of boredom I give myself a manicure/pedicure. You can't eat with wet nails. The bonus is wonderful nails. I even experiment with different ideas from Pinterest and have nail brushes for drawing designs.

I also give myself facials. I have invested in some nice face masks. That keeps me busy and it's hard to snack when you have skin care products drying on your face.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for all the hints! I have been trying to read, but the medication makes it hard to concentrate so I have been thumbing through magazines. Right now, I don't have much use of my left arm (its in a sling) so doing anything with my hands has been hard! When I can start using the arm again, I will certainly try some of the hints (especially my nails..all the Biotin has really made them nice) Thanks extra for the hint on eating lots of meat and filing things like that. Lettuce wraps, here I come! I just will be glad to be myself again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It sounds that, right now, your thinking is as great a problem as the injury, which is bad enough. Listen to your husband; he's smarter than he looks Healing comes first. Then you'll deal with whatever weight gain. You've lost weight before so you know you'll be able to do it again.

If knitting is too difficult because it necessarily moves the arm you need to keep still, would crocheting be doable? If you don't know how, you probably know someone who can give you a lesson and company to occupy your mind.

Start smoking again? No way. Long ago my late, beloved internist told me that, if losing weight and quitting cigarettes were too difficult to do simultaneously, it was more important to stop smoking first.

There are lots of chair exercise videos online and probably available for loan from your public library. If your branch doesn't have any inhouse, they can get them for you on inter-library loan. Search on sparkpeople.com, livestrong.com and simply googling "chair exercise." Search "chair exercise" or "chair exerise dvd [or video] at the library's website. There is a series of videos called Chair Dancing which may be fun. In any case, you'll have more to do and you'll feel as though you're taking better care of yourself. You can modify any of the exercises that jar arm.

Edited by WLSResources/ClothingExch

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Start listening to books on tape. Try word search puzzles. If all else fails ice chip or sugar free popsicles. Sometimes all I really crave is CRUNCH when I am bored or depressed. Seems to help. Good luck, stay strong and remember this is only temporary. Heal and then you will be right as rain ❤

Sent from my LG-H901 using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

-loriemoms, I hear you on the rotator cuff surgery. Had my left one done 3 years ago before VSG. My right one I had done end of Feb, I am still recovering!!! Yes here it is 5 months down and I'm still in pain, not bad pain as it was first month or more. I went to PT 30 days out from surgery, twice a week for little over 2 months. Before surgery I had to do PT for 6 weeks, so my time was all used up for any more after than the 10 weeks I did.

I still can't use a vacuum cleaner! Hurts pushing my mop, raising my arms way above my head, still not enough energy in it at all.

I'm no longer taking the pain pills but I do have muscle relaxers I can take. They cut my deltoid muscle, reason for the muscle relaxers. It the muscle goes straight up the arm to the neck and at the base of the skull. Didn't know it effected there.

So returning to work in 2 weeks you say? Let me know how it goes, I don't work because of disabilities I have.

Pick up a veggie tray all ready cut up! Crunch on those they are great when you don't know what to eat. Keep apples peaches grapes or other fruit in fridge, you can do most with 1 hand. My right was my dominate had, we'll still is lol, I have to tell you my husband was right there for me. Heck I couldn't wash hair or shower without him! Cooking dinner was next to impossible. So I feel for you, the pain is horrible and not doing what you could before, well you will be able to do more later on. My surgeon said recovery is usually 6 months to a year!

Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Take it from someone who knows exactly what you are going through. I was terrified when after 9 glorious month post RNY and on a great path to getting to goal I was told I needed a 3 level cervical fusion. There would be no more treadmill, no elliptical, no cardio or any sort for many months to come.

I was terrified that I would not reach my goal and knew that I would have to do it with diet and diet alone.

It is so easy to simply walk into the kitchen and eat crap like Fritos or Cheez it's or ........and trust me, I did it. Then I realized that I did not want to head down that path. So I was so careful to log every morsel good or bad and held myself accountable to it.

I kept working at it and the weight either stayed the same or slowly, very slowly began to come off again. Then having the spinal fusion caused a bigger back problem and back to surgery I went in November. That surgery did not help at all so now we are at Christmas and I am still unable to exercise. They decided to look at my left shoulder and low and behold I have bone on bone AC joint and a 50% tear in my rotator cuff. Back to surgery I go in February.

I simply learned that I had to find other things to do besides eat our of boredom. I promise you can get to goal with diet alone, I did.

I work hard at it every single day and in March I made it to my ultimate goal.

You can do this, you just have to decide that you can and track your food intake. The shoulder will get better I promise. I had my surgery on February 12th of this year and just finished rehab with it last week Thursday. The shoulder is not a fun operation but if you work hard and get your Protein you will be back at it again soon.

I really hope you feel better soon!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you're crafty and can't knit or crochet because of the injury, a knitting loom might be an option. :) Also, how about addictive computer games that only need a mouse?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×