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Emotional roller coaster



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Hey all,

Just wanted to check in and introduce myself. New here. Just had the sleeve done last Friday 10/28, and I am definitely adjusting. Pain was bearable, but honestly the least of my worries looking back. I left the house for the first time in 4 days yesterday and as soon as I started talking to anyone I felt like I was about to burst into tears. I have wanted this surgery for so long and I definitely do not want to go back but at the same time I feel stripped of my comforts and safety nets. It feels as if I'm 18 years old again, living on my own for the first time.

Just opening up to my husband created this big knot in my throat like I was holding back tears.

I've always struggled with food addiction since I was a young child. When I was 19 I got clean and sober after using and abusing drugs and alcohol and it's been 4 years since. I guess food has been my go-to now that drugs and alcohol are gone.

Anybody on here struggle with addiction and recovery?

I know I will prevail, one day at a time, but dealing with my own feelings are pretty rough sometimes.

I just want to shove my face in a huge chocolate cake and cry while simultaneously eating Ben and jerrys.

From what I see on here, it will all be worth it in the long run. I guess I'm just looking for some experience, strength and hope!

-Chris

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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I don't struggle with drug or alcohol addiction, but I wanted to reach out and tell you how brave you are for telling your story and looking for support. I can't imagine dealing with these food issues we all face on top of maintaining sobriety. It is a lot to handle, for sure. In the food realm, the "one day at a time" approach has served me well in this journey. I used that strategy to get me started in March, and although I am firmly rooted in what I am doing now, I try to embrace that mindset when the scale is pissing me off or I have to face any of the occasional obstacles that present themselves. The fact that I have now lost 124 pounds is comforting no matter what happens in a day. As you lose more weight, that will comfort you, too.

I encourage you to find something non-food related that is fun and makes you happy and get out there and do it. I go to the spa every day, and that has helped me as I move into the final stages of my recovery before I go back to work in a couple of weeks. Also, lean on your husband. I lean on my partner every day, as he leans on me. That's one of the most important parts of relationships.

I wish you all the best!

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Congrats and good luck. Just a reminder that you have another issue you need to be aware of...sudden surges of testosterone (it is stored in fat, and it can come out quick). SEE: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/358457-help-with-anger-issues/

Poke around in the guys room. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/431-the-guys%E2%80%99-room/

Also this forum might be helpful too: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1253-emotional-mental-and-spiritual-health-and-wellness/

There are many here who struggle with many things, and for the most part you will get some very good and supportive advice without much judgement, unless you want to do something incredibly stupid like Celebrate your surgery with pizza and beer, then all bets are off ;-)

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Hey all,

Just wanted to check in and introduce myself. New here. Just had the sleeve done last Friday 10/28, and I am definitely adjusting. Pain was bearable, but honestly the least of my worries looking back. I left the house for the first time in 4 days yesterday and as soon as I started talking to anyone I felt like I was about to burst into tears. I have wanted this surgery for so long and I definitely do not want to go back but at the same time I feel stripped of my comforts and safety nets. It feels as if I'm 18 years old again, living on my own for the first time.

Just opening up to my husband created this big knot in my throat like I was holding back tears.

I've always struggled with food addiction since I was a young child. When I was 19 I got clean and sober after using and abusing drugs and alcohol and it's been 4 years since. I guess food has been my go-to now that drugs and alcohol are gone.

Anybody on here struggle with addiction and recovery?

I know I will prevail, one day at a time, but dealing with my own feelings are pretty rough sometimes.

I just want to shove my face in a huge chocolate cake and cry while simultaneously eating Ben and jerrys.

From what I see on here, it will all be worth it in the long run. I guess I'm just looking for some experience, strength and hope!

-Chris

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm sorry you're in pain, Chris. But know that you're not alone. You've just completely changed your life for the better! You have every right to be emotional. Cry your eyes out! It's okay!

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I was woefully unprepared for the emotional aspect of this journey. Gets better every day but I still have my moments!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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    • LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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