Struggles after surgery?

What are some of the things you've struggled with after your surgery? What resources and support do you wish you had more access too during this journey?

The number one struggle for me is resisting the urge to eat off-plan foods. It is a constant battle. Surgery did not change this for me as I still get just as physically hungry as before and my head hunger is loud most days.

Breaking old habits and associations is incredibly challenging especially in a world where food is central to nearly everything. Sometimes the sense of deprivation is overwhelming.

My strategy to deal with those urges is to have a plan in place and to focus on the many things I have gained from making these changes. (I feel wonderful! I have energy and move with ease. I am living my life instead of observing it from the sidelines. etc)

I plan to return to therapy once my schedule opens up in September. It is so true what they say - wls is not brain surgery.

The biggest struggle for me has been eating off plan and getting into old habits. I wish that I would have seen a therapist since I started this journey to help me stay on track. It's a struggle no matter how far out you are and I believe everyone needs all the support they can get.

From a reply I made in a post yesterday, these are the things I hadn't been prepared for:

• Life will still happen, your dad will still die, you'll need to gain all the coping skills and tools you can in order to make it through that without reverting to your old habits. But you can do it.
• Body dysphoria is real. Take pictures of yourself with other people for reference. Take pictures of yourself in the same doorway of your home. Look at these pictures so you can get a sense of your body. Talk to your therapist about it. Time will help. It's weird to feel disconnected from your body.
• Apparently you have an eating disorder, who knew! Thankfully your weight loss will help you feel confident enough to talk to your doctor about it and get treatment.
• People will make all sorts of comments about your body, your hair, your clothing, etc. It's annoying.
• Clothing is expensive. Apparently you will come to love bright colors and clothes that fit well - who knew? Good fitting bras are super important. Ditto for shoes.
• You'll learn to love exercise and even running. What the hell? All weather running gear is expensive but totally worth every penny.
• Your butt will hurt a lot since, apparently, there are bones there. Your PSIS (posterior superior iliac spine) will also hurt. It sucks, you'll survive.
• You will be cold all the freaking time. You will acquire a robust jacket and coat collection as a result and learn to take a jacket of some sort everywhere you go regardless of what the temperature should be.

Therapy helped with a lot of these things. Except for the cost of clothing. :)

Amen to clothing expense anD bright colors, butt bones (butts have bones?!), and being cold!!! LOL

I will add clothing that calls attention that you wouldn't have dreamed of wearing before (sayings, pics, etc.).

OMG! I'm totally with you on the butt hurting thing. I was just complaining about that! Hahaha!

NOTHING will make me enjoy running however. It's nice to know I am capable if I need to do it though! Lol...

Hardest thing post surgery was the fatigue....I wasn't expecting it to be worse after losing 40-50 pounds! Who woulda thunk it....glad THAT went away about four months in...

I got a picture taken of me holding my new marine toad and when I looked at it later I freaked because I looked SKINNY...I wasn't expecting that.

While driving down the road I looked down at my seatbelt to make sure I had it on and realized my belly wasn't the most prominent thing there!

I went to the beach with my daughter and while reclining I noticed someone else's bent knees/legs in front of me!

I haven't been this weight since I was a young teenager which was 35 years ago so it's very eye-opening....liberating.

I still think surgery's the best decision I've ever made....

I am also struggling with eating habits. I see a lot of people post about seeing a therapist. How does this help? I saw a counselor for depression/anxiety last year and really I hated it. He was not useful and I live in a small town so trying different people to find the right fit as many people suggest just isn't possible. Medication has really helped my anxiety. My issue now is eating anything and everything. I try not to but then the next thing I know I am in the kitchen. I know what to do and what not to do but I can't seem to control this. Any suggestions or tips. I just printed a food tracker and plan meals but then the snacks happen! Not keeping the food in the house is not an option because of family members. Please help!

Talking to your PCP is an option. You might have to travel a bit farther away for a therapist you click with. There are long-distance therapy options as well.

It's challenging, for sure, to get good health care in rural areas.