Potatoes Not Prozac- OT somewhat

I am not sure if I ever mentioned this program that I am on to heal my sugar addiction. I know that not everyone that has wls is addicted to sugar and carbs but many are, espccially if you have any addiction to alcohol or drugs in you family. I do and lots of it. It is literaly the same as being addicted to alcohol. Before I had my wls I was very skeptical because I was very aware that this surgery would not help my addicition. I have been in councelling for many years due to it. I also was a member of overeaters anonymous. I now go to Alanon meetings to deal with my alcoholic son and the problems I have from growing up with an alcoholic dad.

The reason that it is mostly found in families with addiction is that addiction is addiction no matter what the substance is. I have always felt like a failure when it came to sticking to a diet or losing weight. I felt hopeless...thus the wls. Many years ago I found a program that explained what sugar sensitivity was. It is a slow process to heal your brain chemistry and to detox from sugar. My weight was always in the way of this program. I was always in a panic to lose the weight and could not settle for something that took too much time, Again...I failed. Now that the weight is gone I feel more able to conquer this problem slowly. Sure, I may gain a few pounds along the way but I am going to stick it out this time. It requires me to have 30gms of protein with each meal whick is really a good thing for me, right? It also requires you to have a whole grain (brown as they call it) at each meal. I am only focusing on Step one at the moment which requires :

• Enough protein for your weight
• A complex carbohydrate
• Eaten within one hour of getting up
• Every day
•  
• I thought I would share this with you guys so that if there is anyone out there that is struggling after having wls surgery this might be something you would want to try.
• The book is called POTATOES NOT PROZAC by Dr. Kathleen Desmaison.
•  

Thank you, Gail!!!!

I'm gonna hit the public library's website and see if I can find it there!!!  Sweets ARE my addiction.  Hi, my name is Tia and I'm a chocoholic!!!  SIGH.

Hugs,

Tia

I had the Gastric Bypass surgery at Sinai 8/2/06.  I lost my mother 20 days after that from a Heart transplant and I have been so up and down with depression ever since!  my wife had the mini gastric bypass in September of 2000.  She has been suffering from alcoholism (Wine) for the last 6 years.  It has made my life a living hell !  she has a great Government job and she also started smoking again 3 years ago.  She looks terrible health wise and my weight has plateau.  I was at 325 and I am still at 248 lbs.  I always feel emotionally drained from her and our holidays totally sucked this year.  I have felt suicidal a few times, because I do not see any hope in sight!  I also love sweets and I thought it would cause major dumping, but not me.  I really need alot help and support.

OMG!  You have so much on your mental plate - I feel for you.  As far as the depression, have you sought any professional help, to include meds?  I know a lot of people don't believe in being medicated, but I'm not talking about being sedated, just "assisted." 

I was married to an alcoholic for 2-1/2 years, and unfortunately, it's a living hell for the person living with the alcoholic.  Again, therapy may be able to help you with that.

Pre-op, sweets were also my biggest weakness, and sadly, post-op, remain so.  AND I was told by my nutritionist, "You won't be able to eat them and you won't want them!"  How I loved hearing those words!!!  Unfortunately, I do - on both counts.  Although I can't eat the quantity that I could pre-op, it's still a daily struggle.

I wish I could offer more than just a shoulder, but there it is.  A lot of us are in your shoes, so any time you want to cry, vent, scream, etc., come here - we'll welcome you with open arms and do all that we can to encourage you.

In the meantime, please allow me to suggest Ranesa McNally - a lot of us saw her for our pre-op psyche evals, and many of us continue to see her post-op.  She is a wls patient herself, having lost 170 pounds and undergone both a lower and upper body lift.  She looks amazing, is nice as can be, and more importantly - GETS us!!!  Her phone number (she's in Pikesville), is 410-602-0102.

Take care,
Tia

I also mean't to tell you,  I am still on about 11 medications for type 2 diabeties, high blood pressure, and some of the depression medication is Cymbalta 30mg 2x a day and Clonapen.  I thought all these meds would be out the door!

Well, you've had a LOT to deal with, including wrapping your head around wls.  Are you exercising?  That's a great stress reliever.  What about your water intake?  Keep in mind, you may NEVER go off the Cymbalta or Clonapen, but hopefully, as you lose some more weight, the diabetes and bp meds will be lowered or non-existent.

T

Why would I not be able to come off the Cymbalta or clonapen?  I know I am not drinking alot of water.  Will it help with weight loss?

Well, forgive my ignorance, but aren't those two meds for depression/anxiety/mental health issues?  Those issues may NOT be rooted in obesity, and you may still need them.

Yes, water WILL help with weight loss - it will help you stay full, flush your system, and it may help if you have a hand to mouth oral fixation.  For me, a cup of flavored hot tea SOMETIMES will take the edge off of wanting something sweet.

T

Ok I appreciate all the advice.

Well, that's what we're here for - help and friendship.  So come and play any time!

Tia