HELP Plz...

Hello fellow WLS friends  This may be lengthy but I hope you will understand...Its been a while since I posted but it's time once again to seek the help and support of this group.

In my last post I told you that I was about to have a Crainiotomy for a meningioma tumor they had found. This was back in December 2010. The Dr here was hoping that the tumor was causing the issue with the blurred vision, dizziness, brain fog, headaches and etc. Well the Neurosurgeon in Houston quickly informed us this was not the case, and that the brain tumor was a whole separate issue. He then sent me to a Neuro- Ophthalmologist which also specializes in MS. They both would have wagered that I had MS too.  After many many tests, MRI's, and specialists they confirmed I DO NOT have MS, but the cause of the Optic Nerve being burnt is still a HUGE Mystery.The specialists tend to think it occurred within the first 6 months after my WLS and the doctors not checking ALL vitamin levels earlier!! To this day I am still going through a lot with the eye situation as I have 60% burn damage to the optic nerve in my Left eye along with 60% Contrast Loss & a double sarcoma. Uggghhhhhhh...really

Back to what I really need help with...After the brain surgery, I was put on 6 steroids a day along with anti-seizure meds for 3 months. During this time I was a total wreck, hungry all the time and ate anything I could get my hands on. Well, with that being said you can just imagine what has happened...YEP I gained about 37 pounds to this date. I CAN'T get my eating back in control no matter how darn hard I try. I am back to my old emotional eating habits being that is where I find comfort for dealing with all the issues in life that I am trying to handle. I have no support, and I don't know what to do with my self.  I am so very disappointed in myself and stay so depressed. I HATE what I see once again when I look in the mirror.  Since I had to give up my job back in May I spend a lot of time alone!!!!!!!! My husband is working a demanding job in which he is on call 7 days a week 24 hrs a day. His company is building a new plant over by Three Rivers, TX and he will be driving back and forth once he gets over there in the next month or so. I am not handling that info and thought well at all, plus that means even more time of being alone
I am considering doing the HCG Diet with a physician and would like to know your thoughts on this be it GOOD or BAD, please chime in! If you have any suggestions for me I am eager to here them.

Yes, I know I'm not handling anything well these days and I feel like each day that goes by I go under the water a little farther. After dealing with this huge medical issue the past year, loosing my home, land & horses, then having to let my job go, and my car go, Hubby working crazy hours and all week long...life is hurting!!

Thank you all for listening and I value your support

Before you do the HCG please talk to your doctor. Take one day at atime and remember that you will be in my prayers.

 I am glad that you came here for support and encouragement.   I am with the other poster.   You want to make sure with all your issues that the HCG drops won't harm you.   If I were you .....I would go back to the beginning.   I KNOW it will be difficult.   Go back to logging your food ( dailyplate.com) get you a good protein powder.....I know gross stuff sometimes but not always.    Then do at least 2 shakes a day and maybe1 small meal....remember protein first.    Get all the junk snacky foods out of your home and sight.    Remember you had your WLS to get healthy.    Don't let these setbacks with your health make you feel like a failure....because your ARE NOT a FAILURE !!!!   I will pray that they will soon find the answers that you are seeking to your health issues.   Don't EVER GIVE UP !!!!!   EVER !!!!   37 lbs. isn't all that bad.   You can get that off....I know you can.   We are ALL here to be your cheerleaders and help to support you.    Go to the community above and go to groups and see if there are any OH Support Groups in your area.   If all else fails....I know that there are online support groups.    Reach out to people who live near you for support.   I wish you lived closer to me....I would help encourage and support you.    Please keep your chin up.   NONE OF US ARE PERFECT !!!!  Prayers being said for you now.   Hey life could be worse....your alive and breathing !!!

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

NOT HANDLING IT WELL...I THINK YOU ARE DOING PHENOMONAL ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.

First let me say I understand what it is like to have vision issues and what it is alike to spend a lot of time alone.  I had to retire in 2004 due to a retinal disease and had to stop driving in 1997.  Some days it bothers me more than other days.  .  Prior to my daughter moving home in November due to a job loss, I spent many, many hours alone.  It was not unusual for me to not even walk outside for up to 4 days at a time.  My husband works in the plants as well, and when a new plant is being built and commissioned...it is around the clock.  If you are not already receiving services for your vision loss, you need to get the ball rolling.

As for the weight.  With all your meds and what you have been through, 37 pounds is an amazingly low gain.  I sincerely mean that.   I have a friend who just lost 50 pounds using the Atkins diet.  She is retired and in her sixties.  She has 10 more to lose.  My sister used HCG as well as her son and daughter-in-law.  They all had great success.  I'm not sure how things went for them in maintenance.

You mentioned not having a support system.  United Way provides therapy on a sliding scale.  I used them once, and I had a great therapist.  Is something that that available or other mental health professional?  Do you have neighbors or anyone who can provide transportation when your husband is out of town.  You might want to call some churches or synagogues and inquire if they have anyone who might be willing to help you.  You could work out a schedule with them.  Perhaps they may have a woman's group you could attend that will help get you out of the house.

You are hurting, and I am hurting for you.  I have to believe, in your behalf, that there will be calm waters in your life again.  You came to the right place.

So sorry to hear about all your health issues. I know that is terrible to have to deal with, especially without some diagnosis. I hope it gets better.

Regain wise, just make a plan and stick with it. I'd get my doctors okay for HCG. I've seen people do well with it and some have issues. I tried it for am week and nearly passed out from starvation. I have seen a lot of post WLS peeps have great success recently with weigh****chers. It would also give you a group to visit with. I read an article last yeat comparing safety and nutrition and long term results and WW came out on top for not starving you and being a healthy lifestyle diet.

You can do it if you want...taking off the regain. I lost 26 lbs and have more to go after some regain. join us in The Daily Plate with your meal plan each day.

Karla

This may or may not seem helpful, but what I find that works for me is first having a plan.... To put it simply, I sit down every Sunday and map out my meals for the week.  While I might change a dinner or lunch around, I only eat what's planned.   I struggle when I'm traveling for work, but that's another tale :)    To keep things simple, I make a lot of crock pot recipies for the week and then eat on them as the week progresses.

Secondly, you didn't mention if you're walking, but since it's free and if you're able, get back to walking.   You'll feel better for having worked out - that's a proven fact!

Third - clean the junk out of your house.  You can't eat it if it's not there, so don't have chips and junk on hand.   Only keep foods you should be eating and in the right portions.

For myself, I'm struggling with a 5 lb. regain right now and re-joined WW.  While not losing much, the scale is generally heading in the right direction.  Funny thing is, the new WW points are designed to reward protein and veggie choices while penalizing carb choices (excluding fruit).   So, not all that different from what we should be eating.

I wish you well in this journey, but don't forget to celebrate your accomplishments.  When we wallow in what we perceive as our failures, it's a vicious loop which prevents your mind from getting into the right frame for success.

It's not uncommon to gain weight with steriods, those buggers do that to everyone.  Now that you are done with that make a plan....you've gotten some good suggestions from others.  Being alone and depressed is tough.  Can you get out and walk a little, maybe sit outdoors with some music, something to cheer you up?!?

I wouldn't consider the HCG diet as a good thing.....journaling your food intake, focusing on protein first ALWAYS then veggies and lay off the white carbs.  Don't starve yourself, eating the dense protein will fill you up and if you are hungry 3 hrs later so what, eat some more protein.  Be sure to take all your vitamins, drink lots of fluids and move. 

You can do this hon.  Are you taking anything for the depression?  If so, maybe your meds need to be adjusted and if not consider it.  I ADMITTED finally I need to be taking something.  We deserve to feel good and as healthy as we can both mentally and physically.

Hang in there.

Thank you all for posting your thoughts and suggestions. I greatly appreciate each and everyone of you! I am going to get back to the gym and start off slowly with the walking again. I have been told by several at the bariatric surgeons office to do the protein shake mix with fruit for two of my meals and then have a small meal for dinner. I was afraid that the HCG diet was not good for me to try with all the medical issues I am dealing with. I have thought about WW and will look into it as I really could use the group setting for support and friendship.

@Dana ...yes I am on Bupropeon 150mg twice a day for the depression but honestly I do not see that it helps My doctor raised me to this higher dosage over a month ago.

Thank you again everyone and god bless!!