Any suggestions? advice?

I am not sure if any of you have gone through this or not but I am looking for some suggestions.....B4 surgery when I was having problems or issues in my life I would internalize them and often cope with food or alcohol to try and help alleviate or should I say cover up those issues- Now after having WLS that just isnt possible. What do you do to try and work through problems or issues that come up if you were a previous internalizer? Do you seek professional help? have certain coping methods you feel work really well? I thought I had my life all figured out and recently feel very lost.......I realize I havent posted that much but I have been off and on the board for over two years now- surgery will be 3yrs ago in October. I would really appreciate any suggestions or advice about if there are any professional help in the area that understands the complications of dealing with emotions after WLS, personal suggestions that might have helped? on how to cope with really difficult times in a persons life..........thank you Sabrina

Try this forum, I know there is an online support group forum for this also, just need to go and find the link, but here is a start... http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/mental-health/

Here's the online support group one... http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/mhp/

It is ok to feel like this and it is important that you recognize these feelings.  I would get in and see someone who is a professional that you can talk with to help give you the tools to deal. Liz

No easy answers.  Exercise...even walking might help with the tension.  Support groups might be good.  The one at McHenry Village only meets once a month, but the one on Norwegian in the clubhouse I believe has grown and might work for you (in Modesto...Meets twice a month).  It's tuff because we were food addicts before.  The pressures, issues, and problems are still there after WLS.  We need that coping...comfort mechanism.  Praying you find it.  Brian

Sabrina, so sorry for what you are going through. What I do is keep a journal. It helps to get the feelings and emotions out. Different things work for different people. I've never been an emotional eater or drinker. In fact, I was just the opposite. If I was in some sort of emotional state, the last thing I wanted was food. Hope you find something that helps hun. Love & hugs.

Sabrina:  Funny you should post this.  I was awake for hours last night trying to 'think'.  I'm in the same boat.  I'm stressed, things at home are a mess and I can't eat my way through my problems. I was going to look into seeing a mental health care provider of some sort today but that means checking w/insurance. (I'm not sure I have the patience for that today). so..hugs to you.  You are not alone.  I've tried excercise, keeping busy (crafting, cooking, cleaning)...but I think it's time to 'talk' to someone.  Hang in there.  Remember it is a good thing to know when you need a little help.  Lisa

I'm no professional, but have seen many over the years in dealing with my bipolar and "addiction" issues. The one thing that has always stuck with me, and has gotten me through some tough times is something very simple and also something we all forget to do often...

Just, breathe. Deep breaths. Do it 10 times, 20 times, it doesn't matter. It has helped me get through some urges (like eating, or smoking, although I'm still having issues with the latter).

Breathe! =0)

Thank you everyone I truly appreciate all of your kind words. I went into work yesterday and thank goodness a co-worker was there for me to talk about my problems at home....she advised me to go see my PCP and possibly get some sleeping meds- since I had not been sleeping during all this...very worried about the future. It was so much easier when I was heavy to numb the pain that I was feeling. I really appreciate the fact that there are others who can be there for me if I just try and reach out.....its a hard thing to do when you do this for others all the time. I am also asking another boss of mine advice as who to possibly see but I definately needed the extra help for sleep- which helped a bit. Again thank you everyone