emotional problems after surgery

Hey there again.. I was wondering if there is any websites about the emotional problems that come for some that have had the surgery.. Food has become my best friend, it comforts me. I eat to calm myself, to comfort and to medicate so I don't have to deal with certain emotional problems that I have. I was abused alot as a kid and I haven't really dealt with alot of it. My counselor tells me that after surgery some of that emotional stuff that I have medicated for a long time is gonna come up and I will have to deal with them. In a way I want that to happen so that my emotions can be healed but it is scary. I don't know if anyone can relate to this or not and I hope I don't sound dumb. I was hoping there was some website about the emotional turmoil that could happen after this surgery. I definately want this surgery and I know it is not the easy answer. For me, I'm thinking it could be an emotional thing after surgery. debby

Hi Debby, I don't know of any particular website but, I think that we all have emotional eating problems--food was everyones' best friend. We will have to make ourselves our best friend--I attend counselling twice a week to deal with all my problems . Food is just a symptom --we all are dealing with it the best we can. Keep seeing your psychiatrist and working toward your new life Be Blessed, Marian S.C.

Hi Marian, Thanks. You are right, food was everyones friend. Everyone probably went through alot of emotional stuff huh. Right now I see my psychiatrist once a month for meds, and I go to someone for counseling once a week. I know alot of issues are gonna come up after the surgery and I will have to deal with some stuff that I've tried to avoid for years. To be honest I'm scared that I will break down. I do have a good support system though. They do understand and are supportive of my decision to have the surgery. I'm pretty blessed to have supportive people around me. debby

and its common to go thru a greiving period after the surgery for the loss of our food. I hit some bad depression since surgery. I was down 100 lbs and couldnt for the life of me understand why i was so happy. I think if someone is having big troubles coping with the loss of their companion, best friend their comfort item i think they should go back tot he pscy. person that cleared them for surgery for more help. ITS a big thing we go thru. I also learned that weight loss doesnt solve all my problems! THE other things in life are still their to deal with. VERY hard but ....i plug forward. GOOD LUCK! LISA 310/184/???

Hi Lisa, You are right, the surgery is not a fix all. It is a tool to help us get healthy. I see my counselor once a week and we discuss the surgery alot. I have him and a great support system in place also. I talk to my sister alot about what life is like for her since she had the surgery. She has lost 300+ lbs so far. I'm so proud of her and I'm inspired by her too. It wasn't easy for her, she went through a really rough emotional time after the surgery. But she is doing better now. Thanks for the reply, debby

Debby: I think the counseling PRE WLS is very important! Get your stuff in order before the big day! Get some ALTERNATIVE coping skills/tools in place PRE WLS so it wont be so hard after. Yes esp w/ people who have abuse issues in past losig food as safety is hard an MANY sabotage themselves and do not lose what they could and many regain! YES it is possible up to all the wt.. so go in w/ eyes wide open and a plan! HUGS! I recommend this book to help you also: Teri Kai Holtzclaw's "This is not brain surgery...but there is a magic pill!" (reading and workbook style) I have it on PDF if you want a copy email me.. ANd this one: Gayle Andres's "Living a Lighter Lifestyle; A guide to successful wt loss and maintenance after WLS" I think OH bookstore may have it! I do not know of any websites... Jamie PS support groups online and in person help too! and they are free!

Thank you Catlady, I really appreciate your input.. I have discussed the surgery in depth with my counselor. I'm preparing myself for the times when I will want to reach for food for comfort. I don't want to do that anymore. It will be a struggle. But I am up for it. I have a great support system backing me through this process. And I have a great counselor that is very supportive of me. I also am buying more healthy foods instead of the junk I'm use to getting. The surgery center at saranac lake strongly suggests that I get a book called "Weight Loss Surgery, Finding the thin person in you". I will check out the books that you mentioned too. Thanks again, debby