Its been a while.....

Hi all. Its been a while since I have posted or even visited this forum. I have had some issues that I have dealt with lately concerning my weight loss or lack of it so I just need to get it out of my system. Keep in mind that im not speaking for everyone, only my own issues.

I was lap banded back in Sept 2007 at 450 lbs. I lost about 105 lbs over the course of a year and felt pretty good. However, most of my old habits came back to haunt me big time, which in turn wreaks havoc with your well being.  I began to eat most of the old things that were a problem for me in the past. The only plus out of this was the fact that the lap band kept me from eating mass quantities. However I still managed to put back on 25 lbs, although it did take 7 months to do so. I really needed to address this head on. I went through so much just having the band put in that I dont want it to be a failure. This too was playing with my mind. The old issues cropped back in, including depression. I just didnt know what to do even though I do know what to do, if you understand me. Finally, a few nights ago I really sat down and had a face to face with myself and decided that this was do or die for me. I was a member of Food Addicts Anonymous about 10 years ago and I adopted back then a sugar/flour/wheat free way to eat and live and the weight came off in record time. I went from 400 lbs to 235 within a year.  Then I went back to my old eating habits and shot back up to over 400 lbs. I dug up all of my old literature and found a book that I had read called "Food Addiction, the body knows", by Kay Shepperd. I began reading it in earnest and it really hit home again for me again. I completely forgot the old thought process, "treat the disease, not the symptom". As I read the book I realized that just by having a band installed it would not cure my disease. I only treated the symptom. In my case I realized that I just could not do away with so many years of bad habits. Like I said, it all came back to haunt me. This time I really concentrated on what Kay was saying about the disease rather than just skimming to the food plan. I realized that I am still addicted to food, particularly sugar/flour and wheat substances. I tried following my surgeons food plan but it never worked for me. I was always tired, lethargic, moody, etc. I began the food plan a few days ago and im going through sugar withdrawls roght now, but I havent felt this good in months. I can never go back to eating S/F/W products again. But I also find that the band really limits what I eat on the food plan now to only the quantities allowed on the plan, so I guess thats a big plus too. This is an insidious disease that I have and I can never, ever forget that. The next two weeks are going to be rough with a 10 day vacation coming up along with my 54th birthday. I already made my family promise not to surprise me with a cake. Ok, im not really sure where im going with this right now, but for those who still have some of these issues I strongly recommend reading Kays book.  I just needed to unload some of this.........thanks for listening
Jeff
 

Jeff,

The first step to correcting a problem is to recognize it and own it.  First step is almost always a mofo.  You're off to a good start.

You said it all for jeff.
best wishes Jeff,
Nick

Thanks for sharing.  I, too, am facing many of my food demons right now as I come up on one year following wls.  I appreciate you honesty and hope you found some release and freedom in sharing that with us.  Why not become more active on this board and check in regularly with your progress?

I find it strange and no offence to you or your doctor but mine told me strait up at 368 lapband would not get me to where I needed to be according to the studys done pretty much he said he had to repersent both options to me abd could not advise me guess it may have to do with insurance agrement or covering his own butt but he layed out the 60 percent sucess and the 80 percent of the two wich showed me that if I really wanted any chance for this to be long term and succeful my best bet was RNY he does not do the dobinal switch so that was never even discussed I hear its even better was just curios did your doctor metion eahter of the other surgeries or anything well with band at least its still there so you can get refills I assume not sure and start al over and kick thay weight to the curb good luck..

Bill, my dr only does lap bands. I had done extensive research and I was the one who decided on a band, mostly because it was reversable if some unforseen issue came up. I was very uncomfortable with having permanent surgery. But, that was my choice. I knew the differences between the surgeries and the success rates. Now the band does what it was intended to do, but its up to me to use it as a tool, not a cure all. I guess any type of WLS can be defeated if one puts their mind to it. I know a few who had bypasses who have gained a significant amount of weight back. Thats the nature of this disease. Right now im at the fullest fill I can get. Any tighter and ill just throw everything back up. So this time im attacking the disease, not the symptom, fully realizing that I have to make a permanent committment to it. The band is just a tool to acheive that end.  But I will add that had I not had the band in the first place then I fear that I would have shot back up to my original starting weight of 450 lbs, maybe more. This is now day 5 of being sugar/flour and wheat free and I am still experiencing some sugar withdrawl. However, my frame of mind is much better and overall I feel pretty good. We all have our trigger foods and thats what sets my rockets in motion I guess. I think so much clearer when im free of those substances. 

Again, thanks for letting me air my feelings and thanks for the comments...... 

Well  thx for the insight and I truly do wish you the best if you were there before you will get there again we all have the food demons to contend with.

An update: Since I started my new food plan last Sunday I took a shot and stepped on a scale at work. Dropped 10 lbs!! That was a nice boost for me at the right time. And I certainly feel much better. One day at a time now........
Thanks for the ears..... 

Another update: since I first posted back in June I have lost 36 lbs so far and I feel great again. I feel like something got back on track that has been derailed for far too long a time. Getting rid of those sugars, flours and wheat products sure helped me.