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Mental & Behavioral Change



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I was sleeved 9 yrs ago & lost about 90 pounds, but was not able to get to my goal I exercised diligently, ate right, & kept active. I gained back about 20% per the statistics. However, colon cancer came knocking & with chemo, inactivity & 7 mos of steroids, I gained all my weight back. I am scheduled for revision to bypass on April 14th. I know the surgery is a tool which will allow me to lose a lot of weight quickly, but after the honeymoon phase, I am wondering what tools/skills I have to change my behavioral & mental habits to make lifelong change & success. Looking for advice from others who have has long time success.

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I'm sorry to read about your cancer diagnosis. And steroids suck! I was on them for 7 years, so I'm well versed in how they're both helpful, yet evil at the same time. I'm pre-op for bypass. I had my lap band removed about a year ago, so I can't advise you on anything about bypass post op. Hopefully some of the bypass veterans will comment.

Best wishes on your revision!

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Good luck with your upcoming revision. I gained back 50% of my weight during COVID, but have recently lost it back again. I still struggle with eating due to boredom or stress.

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I hope your revision went well. I found the psychological aspect to be the absolute most important longterm. The restriction and appetite suppression wears off, but your traumas and maladaptive behaviors do not. I have always poo hooed therapy as a bunch of crap, but it was because I was not committed to it, or didn't have the right therapist. Once I found one with whom I had a great therapeutic relationship, I have laid it all out and finally been able to deal with my childhood issues (and I'm in my 40s). I highly recommend the book "The Body Keeps The Score" to explain physical issues and their relationship to mental issues. This has been transformational for me, and allowed me to eliminate binge eating and finally lose the weight I had regained after surgery. I am hopeful that I have found my solution.

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“I found the psychological aspect to be the most important long term.” I wholeheartedly agree! Not everyone needs this but therapy has helped tremendously for me and my family. It’s important to address the underlying issues while making new healthy habits.

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I had the RNY Gastric Bypass 3/15/2017. I exercise everyday with Jesus. I noticed I gained some weight that I lost. Now I keep myself hydrated and drink Protein 2 O with energy and caffeine and lots of Water. Jesus is on my mind and I work for him. Faith over fear. I am looking foward to this weight loss

Sent from my octopus using BariatricPal mobile app

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    • 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
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    • 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!
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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
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