Did anyone else have this problem?

Hi, I saw Dr. Graber for my initial visit 2 wks ago and last Monday I received my surgery date (July 12, pending ins approval of course). Anyway, the Dr said I need to start losing weight right away and the PA said that it helps the liver shrink and makes surgery easier and they both said not to worry about numbers,just to eat healthier and exercise more. I know that losing weight before surgery will increase my chances of a quick recovery but here is the thing...ever since I have been on a binge of atrocious proportions!! I cannot seem to get enough to eat and junk food is a big part of that. I know what I should be doing but yet I can't seem to get motivated. Is this some sort of self sabotage? I find that now that everything is in motion I am getting more and more nervous and afraid that even after surgery I won't be able to change. I am afraid I have gained weight in the last 2 weeks and I have to go back to Dr. Graber's office in 3 weeks for a weight check. I am so disappointed in myself.

Dear Sizzlene, Please try not to be hard on yourself. Anyone who has struggled with weight knows that emotional and binge eating are complicated issues. This kind of eating is a coping mechanism for handling stress, fear, or any emotion that is intense. I have been in and out of therapy for years trying to get to the root of my emotional/binge eating and in the process learned a lot about myself and a lot about better ways of coping. I am also pre op, trying to sustain a pre op 30+ pound weight loss and finding myself reverting to old behaviors. Don't beat yourself up. Take these moments as an opportunity to learn about yourself and your coping mechanisms and if you're not already in therapy, find yourself a good therapist (one who especially has experience with these types of issues) and get the support you need. Good luck and please be kind to yourself! Hugs, Amy

I have to say the same thing. I am in the process of losing my required 20% body weight so I can get my approval. I am having problems with staying on diet and I hope that I have lost the weight required. I will stop on Monday or tuesday and weigh myself. Hopefully I have lost the required weight. Last time I was only 1 pound from my goal. I hope that you stay with it and just be thankful that there is not a required loss of weight like I have. Also when I get my approval I can not gain any weight before the surgery. I hope it goes quickly. Bob

Hi Sizzlene, My Nutritionist called that the "last supper syndrome". I was doing the same thing a couple months before my surgery. Just try to recognize what it is you are doing. You will still be able to eat most of the foods that you eat now, just not the sweets and all those carbs, but really once you have your surgery you will not want most of those things anymore. The sweeter things that maybe you once craved will probably taste way too sweet for you after surgery. I find complete satisfaction in just a serving size of one or two SF cookies, instead of eating the whole package. I do not eat them every day, but I don't deprive myself of them either. If I have a craving that won't go away I have a serving size. Don't be hard on yourself, we have all been through this. We will all be praying for you to get past this, its just another hump in the road. You'll make it over it. Shannon 257/193/130???

Hi! I'm in the same boat you are so please don't feel like you are alone! I have found it helpful to keep a journal log. I not only put everything i'm eating in there but everything i've done right (took my vitamins, good girl that type of thing). It's easy to beat ourselves up we've all done it for years now! Each day try to come up with three things you've done well or are proud of yourself for, it wasn't easy when i started but now i look for great things about myself. GOOD LUCK TO YOU, KEEP IN TOUCH

Hey dont be so hard on yourself. Remember we all here are suffering from this disease. This is what got us here in the first place. It is normal to panic and start to binge thinking you will never be able to eat normal again. But that is so wrong. Yes it does help to start now but not everyone can do it alone. Maybe if you find a therapist or a nutrionist that can help slowly ease you into better eating that would help. You are not perfect and even us post ops are not perfect but its a learning game. You want to try to get into good habits now so that the tool will work for you later. The most important thing is that when you are down, pick yourself back up and remind yourself why you are doing this. Once you see the pounds comming off there is something that is said often here and its soooooo true NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING THIN FEELS! Both physically and emotionally that is. SO hang in there. We are here if you need us. LisaMarie

I had Dr Graber also. Just remember even a 10 lb weight loss can make a big difference when it comes time for your surgery. Also don't think of it as you'll never eat those foods ever again. You can and will, just much less than you do now. Also afterwards the items that you will eat may supprise you. I could not stand cantalope or tomatoes, now I can't get enough. There are things that I used to love that now are not even of interest. Betty Jo - [email protected] Lap RNY 7/11/03 399.5/209/150 239 inches gone

Hun I am with all the others here, I had the "last supper syndrome" myself so you are NOT alone. This whole journey is scary and hard but so worth it, take time for yourself and relax. Get yourself into some kind of walking routine even if it is for limited time but just something to get yourself moving, you will want to start eating better with that and it will take time and effort to get this thing under control if there is such a thing. I am almost 10 months out and STILL have issues with food so we learn for the rest of lives how to work this new tool. You will do awesome, believe that! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that all goes well for you and please keep us posted! ~Hugs~ Debra P

Thanks everyone for your support. I guess everyone is right, I will be struggling w/ my food demons for a good long time to come. I can totally identify with the "Last Supper Syndrome" theory. That is exactly what it feels like!!! I think this is something that I need definite help with so I think that I might start attending Weigh****chers again starting this week. (It is SO hard to find a convenient meeting time though as there are none in my town and I would have to leave work and make up the time in order to go to one close to where I work) But I guess I will have to bite the bullet and get it done somehow. Seeing a therapist is something I have wanted to do on a regular basis for a while but with the cost of my out of pocket for this surgery (around $2000 just for the surgery, not to mention I have to pay the whole shot for nutrition and exercise counseling, around $300 out of pocket for the sleep study, and not to mention $20 for every other specialist visit each time I go, I know I should be happy to at least have INS) I am not sure I can afford the time from work to go to therapy appts or the extra cash. Is that a bad attitude? Anyway, again, thanks for all the encouragement and I will try to keep everyone posted.