weight gain

Ive gained about 8lbs over christmas, and Im 2 yrs post op. I eat crap, and dont exercise. I need a good kick in the butt... does anyone know of any support groups in the manchester ct area?

I am sorry but I am not aware of any support groups in that area. What doctor did you use? I think hartford would probably be the closest for you. I know Dr. Barba has support groups and you don't have to be a patient of his. Call his office and find out what times they are. Dr. Aranow has great support groups as well. They are the 2nd and 3rd mondays of the month from 7-8 for pre and post ops. There is an additional support group meeting for post ops only tonight. Try to see if you can make it. I live in West hartford and it only takes me about 25 minutes to get to Middletown. This message board is the greatest form of support for me though. I love coming to read about everyone's success and the food/exercise logs help keep me accountable while giving me ideas of new things I can try. Good luck! Eileen

Kelly This is a great support system...come and join our daily food logs and exercise logs! Not sure of a "live" support group in your area..but I have to tell you I get much more out of the day to day postings on this board than a once a week support group. OK..now for your kick in the pants...(I hope someone does this for ME..when I need it too!) You had this surgery to get healthy it was a big decision...you have made wonderful progress. What is 8 lbs to the total you have lost so far? You have this tool lifetime too...get back to basics with protein..cutting out carbs...and drinking water!! No one told us this was going to be easy..but you've asked for help which is a wonderful first step in the right direction. I have been falling into old habits too..only seven months post op...it dissapoints me..but we are human. No beating yourself up...I look fwd to your active participation here...and Good Luck Joanie

Ok Kelly, Consider this your kick in the butt!! You must excercise at least a little bit. I bought the Walk away the pounds video and it is wonderful especially in this cold weather. Do not let that 8 lb gain turn into 10 lbs Get it off now! Keep posting so we know how you are doing, and just remember because you are 2 years post-op that puts you in a position to be an inspiration to all of us newbies. Good luck to you and I am rooting for you! YOU CAN DO IT!! Sandy

Kelly, I am so glad that you came looking for help at the 8lb gain instead of 20lbs or worse. I was just looking at your profile and saw your before and after pictures. WOW!!!!! Look how far you have come!! Congratulations on being 2 years out and still looking great! Now for your kick in the butt. I will remind you of some disabilities that came with being morbidly obese. I can still feel the sting because I am a newbie and just starting to discover the joys of being normal sized. Here goes: 1. not being able to fit into a booth in a restaurant and wondering if the flimsey chairs will hold out under your weight. also not fitting into the seats at the movies. 2. not fitting into a seat on an airplane without the armrests up. needing a seat belt extender to buckle up on the airplane. ooh!!! and how about having your seat in the car pushed all the way back and having your belly still hit the steering wheel? 3. not being able to walk up stairs, or from a distant parking space without getting winded. 4. not finding your size in the plus sized store. 5. knowing that you must stand out like a sore thumb, but seem invisible to people in a service department when you need some help. 6. its so hot and you want to go swimming but do not want to be in public in a bathing suit. 7. wanting to exercise but feeling too winded to get up and move. worse yet, when you do get up and move, you pray you wont have a coronary as a result. 8. praying that the little kid in the store isn't going to scream, "LOOK AT THAT FAT LADY MOMMY!" 9. not wanting to look at your reflection in the mirror 10. your self esteem is so low, that you get caught in the round robin... depression, eat, gain weight, depression, eat.......etc. These are just a few... I could go on and on but you get the idea, right? Now isn't life a gazillion times better than it was then????? C'MON Kelly, YOU CAN DO IT!!! You still have your pouch and can start up the rules of the pouch anytime. Bulk up on the solid protein, water load in between meals, stay low on the carbs and get that bod movin again!!! This is a great place to come for support. Keep on coming to the CT boards and chart your daily progress. Don't forget Fitday.com to help you track what you are eating. That is a great tool too! I hope this helps a little, I know it is so hard to break that ugly cycle but you are at the right place. CT boards ROCK!! I am looking forward to some words of wisdom from you too as I continue on my post op journey! Terri

Hi Kelly, I am in Pre-Op and I am so glad to hear the honesty in this group. I am so inpressed with Terri's Kick in the butt reply. I wish I had that reply to help me before I regained 175 lbs. My major concern about this surgery is gaining the weight bac****pt my 175 lbs off for five years then it started to creep back on when I stopped using the tools I had been given, the food plan, suppport groups and the telephone. Keep up the good work. Earl