Helloooooooooo Maryland Board

Welcome Back Gail!
I am sorry that you are going through such a hard time, I can really feel your pain, I think all of us can. I don't know if you read People Mag. but this week there is a article on Carnie Wilson. She had WLS 10 years ago, and after losing 150 lbs, she has gained most of it back. It really is a very interesting article, and I am sure there are parts that we all can relate to. When I went to my 1st apt with my Dr, I was very surprised that psychological therapy was not  mandatory for a specific time after surgery. They want you to have a psych evaluation before, but they don't even discuss seeing someone after. WLS surgery might fix the physical, but not the psychological and emotional.  There is no way to be 100% successful without fixing both. I know for myself that trying to work through my emotional stuff has helped me on my journey. If anyone needs a name of a fabulous therapist who specializes in Obesity/ eating disorders you can PM me. I know this is the hardest look at myself, I have ever had to do, and I hope and pray that this is it. I do not want to travel this up and down road anymore. I wish you luck, hang in there, Leslie

Gail, you are NOT alone, in this!  I would venture to say 95% of us are food addicts.  If we weren't, we'd have been able to lose weight without surgery, and keep it off!  We can all make any excuses we want, and think everyone believes us, but when it comes right down to it, we know, within ourselves, when we don't lose, why it is.  Honesty is so important.  Keep in mind, the 1st step:  I need help, I can't do it alone.  We're ALL in the same boat, and we WON'T LET IT SINK!  We're all here, for each other, if each of us just calls out for help, when we need it.  Most of us have learned, there is NO magic, regardless how much we wish there was!  When you eat something you know you would probably have been better off, having NOT eaten, DON'T beat yourslef up!  Just move on and make the best of it.  I know I eat things I shouldn't, and the loss is slow, but I keep up the water aerobics, and can't wait till Spring gets here so I can ride the bike (oh please, God, don't let me fall off that damn thing!) I look at it like taking a road trip across country, stopping along the way to see the sights.  It could have been a faster trip, but when you've lost a pound, it's GONE, not lost!  You WILL finish this, and be so proud of yourself for having done it.  Yes it's an addiction, and we all have to remember that there's always a possibility of our substituting one addiction for another.  Well, that really concerns me, for certain things, but not for others.  Keep up your spirits and make it a point to post, daily, to let us know how you're doing.  Get your butt, down da ocean!  Call me when you know you're coming. Always good to see someone!  Please take care of yourself, we all care!
Ginger

thanks guys for all the replies. It is great to have the support you get here.

I found that eating a whole food carb with my meal helps alot. I love red skin potatoes, shredded cheese and egg beaters cooked together in one pan. My pouch feels really satisfied when I eat that. I also love whole grain cereal like oatmeal. Ezekial bread is good too. I do eat whole wheat but I am not sure that is something that keeps me satisfied. If I am going to eat sugar I am trying to keep it within my meal. That way you don't get as much a kick from it to cause you to want more. So, one good suggestion I have is to try to only eat your sugar treat (if you are one that needs one) with a good protein and veggie meal.

Thanks again...I love you all!

Gail, I bet you'd like Kasha!  I fix it with mixed vegetables and chicken broth.  Different and tastes good.  Also put chopped mushrooms in it.  Try it.

I actually really don't get hungry, but bored with the same things, so find it easy to get off track and eat the wrong things.  Once I've started doing that, find it hard to get back on track. You can beat this, and you know you can!  When the weather gets better, it'll help!  Get back down here, and get on your bike.  Maybe we can ride together!

Ginger