Help with starting over :(

Can anyone give me any suggestions on COMPLETELY starting over? I have been unfilled for 1 1/2 yrs. I am getting ready to finally start seeing a new Dr. & start over to succeed again :D

If you care to read, here's a lil background on my prior experience. I was banded in July 2010. I went from 270 lbs to 169 lbs after having lap-band surgery in 6 months. I was on a roll! Doing everything my Dr. told me & working out EVERYDAY for 45 mins minimum :) Then I found out I was expecting :o Within 4 months had to have my band completely unfilled due to pregnancy complications (Preeclampsia) was hospitalized on STRICT bed rest the last 32 days before delivering my son 6 weeks premature (He's a champ & completely healthy btw). During the time of my un-fill my Surgeon (who I loved very much) moved 4 hours away :( Next closest Surgeon is 1.5 hrs away. So with the baby, working a 3rd shift job, I just haven't been able to balance the time to get back on track. I have went back to all my old eating habits and have put back, I'm pretty sure ALL of my weight. I haven't weighed myself in over a year because I can't face seeing the numbers! I'm tired of making excuses & ready to get myself together but not sure where to start? Should I just start over as if pre-surgery with the 10 day liquid diet prior to starting my fills or get my fill then start? ANY suggestions would be MOST APPRECIATED! I just don't feel the connection with the new Dr. to discuss much of anything. He is very rushy it seems unlike my last Dr. that really seemed to take as much pride in my success.

First of all, congrats on the new baby!

If it were me, I wouldn't start over by doing a liquid diet, but if your food choices have been poor lately, a liquid diet might help you break that habit. Some things that have helped me are to keep a food log, plan all my meals in advance, and purge the house (and car and workplace) of all trigger foods. If you're not exercising regularly, now's the time to begin. If you're not attending in-person WLS support group meetings, give that a try, because being surrounded by other people who struggle with eating and weight loss can be so reassuring and inspiring.

My most important suggestion is to make these changes one at a time, because revamping your whole life can be so overwhelming that it's a set-up for failure.

I understand how hard it must be to lose a doctor you love and start over with a new one. I don't know how many times you've seen the new surgeon but it'll probably take some more time to establish a rapport with him, and for him to establish a rapport with you (because communication goes both ways). You're more or less a stranger to him at this point. If he seems to rush you through appointments, you can ask him if there's a better time of day to schedule your next appointment so he'll have more time to answer your questions, and/or you can ask him if there's someone else (like a nurse, NP, PA, and/or dietitian) who you can talk to about whatever issues need to be addressed. As far as I know, med students aren't required to take any courses in bedside manner, and it seems like surgeons are more interested in the pure science of surgery than they are in treating the whole patient. In a sense, that's fine with me, because I sure want that surgeon to know exactly what he/she is doing when they cut me open.

Good luck!

Jean

Congratulations on your baby! : )
And dust yourself off ! your Band is always ready when you are ready to work it.

You know the drill, solid , dense protein first.
Journal your food
Slow down the eating ( practice being a MINDFULLY eater , eat at the table not distracted, but present)
Stay hydrated
Exercise
Pay attention to your emotional eating ( allow yourself to feel your feelings and sit with it a little while)
BREATHE ( we really breathe very shallow)
Ask for help with the baby ( I work with preschoolers and always thought I was so strong, no I just STUFFED it down with food to numb my feelings, and when I need help I ask for it)
Get back to support group meetings
If you need to see dr. Nutritionist
- seek counseling ( you can learn about your triggers an yourself for long term success)* *my counselor would advise me to just pick it up and go, no liquid diets, you want to feel satisfied, not punished!**

Talk to office staff share your concern about seeing doctor. Sometimes they get weighed down too in their lives, they are human, and we all have had out rough days at work. He may not "baby" you, but so long as you are honest they do listen. *** a few weeks ago I acheduales an appt. for a FILL, I had gained 10 pounds! Once I got honest with myself, I went into the office told her it was emotional eating and I didn't need a FILL, I just need to be HONET and accountable. I scheduled another appt. 4 weeks later and saw the scale moving down again! : ) I have another appt. in 4 weeks. This works for me. And my co pay isn't so bad, compared to how the 10 pounds felt! She smiled and listened , it felt good to get rid of it!

On my profile page at the bottom I have, "8 signs of emotional eating" scroll and read. I may post it here later.

You are on the right track posting here for help,
Good luck,
Prek3