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Maybe I need a therapist....



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I've been thinking a lot about the surgery, the post-op diet, the drastic changes. My doctor said that after surgery I'll probably only be able to eat 1/4 cup of food at a time. Suddenly I realized, Hey, but I like to eat! I may need to find something I like just as much to replace the food. I think I might need a therapist or a behaviorist to help me adapt to the new life. If history has shown me anything it's that I always start out well on a new eating and exercising regimen but after about 6 months to a year I "relapse".

I hope I'm not sounding like a downer but I just really want this to work. What do you all think? Have any of you started therapy or support groups? How are your new healthy lives (the diet and exercise) working out for you?

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Nothing wrong with councelling help for this or anything else. I have had one for along time and I just vent or whatever and always feel so much better after. I go once every few months and get the stresses out hahaha

I really want to try Yoga. I hear it is amazing for stress and flexibilty etc.

I've been thinking a lot about the surgery, the post-op diet, the drastic changes. My doctor said that after surgery I'll probably only be able to eat 1/4 cup of food at a time. Suddenly I realized, Hey, but I like to eat! I may need to find something I like just as much to replace the food. I think I might need a therapist or a behaviorist to help me adapt to the new life. If history has shown me anything it's that I always start out well on a new eating and exercising regimen but after about 6 months to a year I "relapse".

I hope I'm not sounding like a downer but I just really want this to work. What do you all think? Have any of you started therapy or support groups? How are your new healthy lives (the diet and exercise) working out for you?

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The funny thing is, as weird as it sounds, you won't be interested in food right after surgery. While you are initially healing, you will feel full all the time. Seeking the help from a behavorist, isn't a bad idea because once the swelling goes down and before your first fill you may be able to successfully eat anything and everything and that isn't good. You have to stick to the recomended diet by your doctor - they are all a little different in their plans, but stick with what your doctor tells you and find a support group to attend if you can.

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You might be able to eat 1/4 cup of food for a bout 1 week after the surgery but not forever. I eat 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food 3 times a day with a snack. The thing I like most about the band is I can try just about anything with no problem so maybe you will be the same way. Good Luck!

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I can eat about 1 cup of food with no problem....more, if part of what I eat is salad. When you are no longer eating large portions of foods, you will be chewing longer. You will learn to enjoy what you do eat and you won't have cravings for more because you will feel full. Then, those situations that make you think you love eating will become more focused on friends/family because you will not be focusing on your plate. It's a whole new world. For everything that changes that you are afraid of, another change which is positive will come along.

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Thanks to you all for responding! I really enjoy hearing about everyone's experiences and especially their encouragement. I really am excited to get started. I feel grateful for this forum as a resource when I have questions (or have doubts). :drool:

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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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
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    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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      1. This update has no replies.
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