Hello,

I'm 6 days post-op from the sleeve and outside of terrible pain from my big incision. Normal, from what I've read. Anyway, I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has watched people in our lives go through the dark side of WLS with unfortunate life changing experiences like transfer addiction. Seeing this happen to someone close to me really discouraged me for a long time from taking the leap. I finally got past that and while I don't regret doing it, I'm determined to not fall into that pattern. My first goal is to find a good therapist that has experience with bariatric patients. If anyone has recommendations or advice, I'd love to use this spot as a safe and productive place to discuss. Take care all!

great decision!

Finding the right therapist is a journey. don’t be afraid to leave the wrong fit!

journal and be really real with yourself in the journal!! it’s amazing how many things we hide from ourselves… also how many little behaviors have roots in really old traumas we try not to deal with…

best of luck and health

great decision!
Finding the right therapist is a journey. don’t be afraid to leave the wrong fit!
journal and be really real with yourself in the journal!! it’s amazing how many things we hide from ourselves… also how many little behaviors have roots in really old traumas we try not to deal with…

best of luck and health

So true!

-Em [emoji3478]
(she/her)

It might be challenging to find someone from the message boards. The thing is, just like most medical professionals, a therapist needs to be licensed in your state of residence. In other words, you'd have to find a therapist that's licensed in Texas, or they can't legally treat you.

oh, one more piece of advice… start looking at your before with eyes on forgiveness. disordered eating usually stems from self protection or other personal reasons that got you through life. forgive yourself and set new patterns. it is easy to get upset by past actions.. but they are just that, in the past! forgive and forge a new path. and forgiveness is hard, especially at first…

Funny you say that because I ended up down an old pic rabbit hole last night and boy, it was bittersweet. I'm not one to spend much time dwelling on the past. I'm usually pretty good at accepting and moving forward but I know there will be hormonal and emotional changes with this journey so that is something I know to watch for.

-Em [emoji3478]
(she/her)

It's reminds me of the Always wear Sunscreen line: Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; or never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

-Em [emoji3478]
(she/her)

On 8/24/2022 at 9:07 AM, EmD2020 said:

Hello,

I'm 6 days post-op from the sleeve and outside of terrible pain from my big incision. Normal, from what I've read. Anyway, I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has watched people in our lives go through the dark side of WLS with unfortunate life changing experiences like transfer addiction. Seeing this happen to someone close to me really discouraged me for a long time from taking the leap. I finally got past that and while I don't regret doing it, I'm determined to not fall into that pattern. My first goal is to find a good therapist that has experience with bariatric patients. If anyone has recommendations or advice, I'd love to use this spot as a safe and productive place to discuss. Take care all!

I was so terrified of transfer addiction (my sister had gastric bypass about 20yrs ago and then turned to alcohol, she’s now 6yrs sober?) and just the mental aspect of the life changing journey! So I got established with a therapist prior to surgery day and I’m so glad I did, I feel it’s really made a difference for me!

14 hours ago, twinks80 said:

I was so terrified of transfer addiction (my sister had gastric bypass about 20yrs ago and then turned to alcohol, she’s now 6yrs sober?) and just the mental aspect of the life changing journey! So I got established with a therapist prior to surgery day and I’m so glad I did, I feel it’s really made a difference for me!

totally get this fear… lots of alcoholism in my family. i have always been cautious with alcohol because of that but realized and that my weight came from using food to mask sadness, depression and anxiety… just another addiction! so important to do the emotional work.

half the battle is acknowledging it… great for you in getting a therapist to help you work it out.