Post-RNY_Eating_Disorders

I am seeing more and more eating disorders post gastric bypass in the in peson support groups I facilitate (3) and online as well...So a friend and myself Sandra B have set up a newgroup for post-RNY (ONLY) grads (must be 1 year out) who are having issues with an eating disorder. *Yes ONLY gastric bypass and yes only those 1 yr + out and YES only those with eating disorders NOT those who want to lurk to not develop one please!).

This is a hard & very personal topic for several of us, yet we need ACTIVE support and access to resources to help us with our daily struggle. What we hope is to provide a safe environment where we can voice our issues and perhaps make progress in our very personal battle with food. I will help her moderate as I am able.

What you will find on our group is a growing files section with resources that you can access to help you in your journey. We also have links to some resources that may be of assistance as well. It is our expectation that we will continue to add to the resources as we find new things in our quest.

We decided to keep the focus of the group to those who are RNY grads so that we are all working from the same base, but realize that the eating disorders that are experienced will vary. This is not meant to detract from this current group only offer augmentation to so don't leave just join both and participate on both!

Sandra reports: "I know that for me, personally, I need an active group so that I can deal with my own food issues or I will find myself back where I began my journey in December 2003. I am headed in that direction and it is unacceptable. I can name a variety of reasons for why this is happening to me, but I freely admit that I am NOT doing my part to minimize the damage. One thing is absolutely certain for me and that is anger and avoidance is not making it any better. I am a grazer and I eat when I am not hungry."

So if you are interested in making this journey with us, please join us at:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/post-RNY_Eating_Disorders/ Please be specific about your surgery type, date of surgery, and the fact that you have an eating disorder when you apply to join as that will speed up the process for you.

Please feel free to cross post this message to other WLS groups (that is okayed with moderators first if indicated) so that we are able to reach those people who are struggling with their eating disorder. Our surgery gave us a valuable tool, but it did not include brain surgery to help us with our unhealthy relationship with food.

Sandra B
Arizona
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[email protected] ~ Open RNY 12/8/03, 150 cm "Know your labs and track your trends."

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/post-RNY_Eating_Disorders/ for grad RNYers who are having a problem with an eating disorder and need support.


AND

Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP
100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

I'm sorry you are only taking post-op people, because I completely recovered from a 20 year history of anorexia/bulimia. I've been in the process of recovery for awhile, and then I completely recovered (symptom free) for the past 7 years. I would join the group just to add support and to help people with what I've learned through therapy, in case it helps them too. If you wish to allow recovered ED people into your group, just let me know. :)

Once postop it may indeed trigger some old challenging issues (I hope not) as recovery is a lifelong process IMHO, feel free to join once you have your RNY. Issues for preops and posties are similar yet different and this was our decision to choose RNY postop and those with eating issues, your surgery is coming soon!
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/post-RNY_Eating_Disorders/

Thank you. I will do that if it triggers some old feelings. I feel very solid in my recovery, and for me it really doesn't feel like a life-long challenge. I have filled my life with things that matter to me. My weight is merely a health issue now, not a character flaw and not a way for me to escape. I know some people do struggle some degree of ED's throughout their lives, but I do believe full recovery is possible. But, on the other hand, I'm obese...so perhaps my obesity is just another form of the ED and the anorexia/bulimia will awaken when I no longer have obesity to hide behind. I'm in therapy 3 times a week now to try to deal with any upcoming issues as soon as they happen. :)

I wish you well, I agree obesity is not a character flaw but a multifactorial disease which necessitates multifactorial therapies, none of which are perfect.

For myself recovery can be defined as a personal journey requiring hope, a secure base, supportive relationships, empowerment, social inclusion, coping skills, and finding meaning. The goal of treatment being wellness---a return to a life that is meaningful. Recovery happens when illness stops getting in the way of life.

Along life's path, recovery can be sustained fully but it is also possible for recurrance of previous illness or symptoms. Life is challenging; for me this is not bad rather just is (acceptance for me) and opportunities and lessons to work on is all. Denial for me is a dangerous part of my addiction, such as dneial in the belifs that I am totally cured of my obesity, my food addiction or my codependency issues. When I believe I am cured I stoo beeing aware.

I think it is great you are in therapy! (wow 3x week!) Surgery was the easy part looking back although going through it I thought it was the hard part (ha how skewed that was!) living the lifestyle after in a consistent, self responsible manner is the most CHALLENGING thing I have ever chosen to do, I did not realize preop the immense effort it takes each moment to be healthy! It is so worth that energy though the freedom it brings!

The enormity of the decision to have WLS is difficult at best to grasp, and morphs and changes as time progresses postop from the 'glorious' honeymoon to years 2, 3, 5 and beyond. The psychological piece is larger than many realize going into this so you are one step up! Those emotions such as fear, shame, guilt anger etc can pop up and w/o food sometimes we slip back into old habits....

Hello, I have been looking at these boards sinceJune 2004 but have never posted.  i had RNY surgery in Boca Raton Fl in June 2004 and have given away 150 lbs.  I have managed to keep it off with a sound food plan and being a member of Overeaters Anonymous for 16 years.  Having a sponsor in OA has helped me to keep clean and honest with my food one day at a time so that I don't relapse losing and gaining hundreds of pounds in my 54 years.  An OA way of life using the 12 steps and 8 tools has saved my life.  My 9th tool is my surgery.   There are many OA websites to locate  by just going to google search engine to find  a meeting in your location Thank you for providing this new website for WLS graduates.   G-d Bless Carol

Carol: Thank you for sharing your strength hope and support! I agree things like OA, CODA, ALANON all can augment our journey if appropriate. I wish you continued success!
Jamie

Hello Jamie, Thank you for your response to my email.  I need all the support that is available to me.  Right now I'm experiencing a great deal of  fear and resentment.  These feelings are a definite trigger for me to go to inappropriiate comfort foods.  It is not often that I choose the comfort foods, nor do I eat the quantities I used to before surgery.  I know the only answer for me is to turn to my support groups and my HIGHER POWER when these feelings come up. My husband is a person with definite food issues and he is developing food related diseases.  He refuses to acknowledge that food is his problem.  My father passed away last October from his food related diseases after a 20 year struggle.  I was my dad's caretaker after my mother passed in 2004.  My fear is that my husband will walk the same painful road as my dad.  I need to be loving and gentle with him as this is a disease.  I don't want to show resentment .  I need to work my 12 step program and   be there for him no matter what. I am angry because after spending $25,000 out of pocket for my RNY, I have developed potential debillitating back problems which sorely hamper my exercise program.  Thank you G-d, none of my problems are terminal, but very exasperating.  Through this support group, I hope I can help someone else through sharing and get outside of my own problems. Thank you for letting me share. Carol