12 steps-my two cents

I am currently a third year psychiatry resident and am training in group therapy.  I was in a group therapy today for recovering addicts and alcoholics and one member was talking about how he relapsed last week.  The other members were very supportive but they didn't bite their tongues giving him the tough and gentle love he needed.  Anywhoo, he kept saying how he was working the program (12 steps) and one member said something that I think we can take with us with wls.  He said, "  this isn't something you work because if you do that you'll just work it to get something.  He said no we have to live this.  This is a lifestyle change and once you forget that you mess up."

We may not be alcoholics or drug addicts but most of us are food addicts and if we just see this surgery as something to "work" just to lose weight and not see that there is more in stake than just losing weight, we'll keep messing up and always be crying, "why didn't the surgery work for me."  The surgery is only on our gastrointestinal organs.  We have to work on the mind...for some that takes some type of therapy while others seem to get it from coming on this board or family support.  For some, it's a combination of support.  Whatever you do, don't forget to work on your body as a whole because if you don't, you'll probably end up worse than when you started.

Just my 2 cents...Angie

Apple, thank you sooooooo much for this post.  I just went to the vending machine and bought  all kinds of junk,  I have eaten, candy, chips, and more chips  just in a funk this week!   Well thanks, I just did a wide sweep and everything, that was left,  went into the trash.  Well at least if only for a day/week/month you have given me a reality check. Thanks. 

No prob on the reality check.   We are so used to being emotional eaters so even with surgery, food is still our comfort.  I'm a newbie and all though my tool is here to discourage me from eating like I used to, I still have the thoughts and that's what I'm working on now because if I don't I'll be just like the chic on Diettribe once the hunger etc comes back.  I'll be back to eating my king size snickers with hot fries and lil debbie cakes so I'm working on that right now.

Thanks Apple (edit for correct name).  I am in a 12-step fellowship and I still needed to come here and other places where I can Identify my food addiction.  I had looked into surgery like 5 years ago and because I thought I could handle my food my life has finally come to surrender hence my name.  This is scarey for me cause I dont drink, smoke, or at the moment getting no nano nano so Im like a good psych is in order along with my new tool.  Once again another ray of hope, Surrender. 

Welcome Surrender.  I'm glad you are working on your addiction.  Are you also in a weight loss surgery support group?  My surgeon has on and we meet every week and I tell you it helps me so much.  This may sound cheesy but I'll say it anyways...hopefully once you have completely surrendered and found your ray of hope, you can probably change your name from surrender to survivor.

Yes that sounds nice.  I am looking to start support groups post surgery.  Right now I can not even sit still in one program.  And btw, I have found my hope in just projecting about my surgery.  Last year this time I was feeling hopeless.  Now the rainbows shine in the middle of my fear

I am so happy for you with your decision about surgery.  I'm only 5 weeks out but so far it has been the best thing I've done for myself.

I have and will always say...My name is Faith T. and I am in love with food.  Food is an addiction for me.  For me, the inner fat girl is always in lurkmode and ready to be revealed again at any given moment.  I am happy to have better control over food.  However, I am a work in progress.

amen to that Faith

You are ABSOLUTELY Correct. WELLNESS is my religion ( scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness) NOW!