Emotional Eating
I had lap band surgery in 2008 and am having a revision in June. I know this is horribly disappointing. I went to a bariatric trained psychologist in 2008 who failed me. I managed to convince my own psychiatrist that I would comply with everything and so my doctor's office let her write a letter. The reality is - the original psychologist was right. I was NOT ready at all. I was moving to another state a month after surgery so the only support system I had was my husband. I was isolated and became extremely depressed after the move. I did not have my eating under control at all. Six years later and a lot of therapy (I have an anxiety disorder) I finally feel like I am on the right track. I went to the bariatric psychologist (a different one since I am in a different state), not my personal therapist, and this time she passed me. I have a good support system, have learned to stop emotional eating, and my life is pretty stable. The first time around, I really recognize now I was not ready and you know what - I didn't lose any weight. Granted a lot of that was because the band was a total failure but at first I didn't follow the diet like I was supposed to. It was when I finally did start following the diet we realized the band did not work for me. Anyway, don't feel let down - it really doesn't work unless you are psychologically ready. Just work hard with the therapist and you will get there. Sometimes it just takes time. (It took me 5 years).
Thanks for your insight, Happy78. Intellectually I understand what happened to me with the social worker, but I'm so disappointed. I'm 57 and have co-morbidities, so I need to have the surgery soon. Most days I can use self-talk and journalling to deal with emotions as opposed to eating, but the social worker didn't see that. I answered the questions for everything I've done in the past - sometimes I think I'm just too honest!
you just have to lie and tell them what they want to hear... I made the mistake of saying i ate a potatoe chip and i had to do homework for the sw..that I didnt do as everyone in my support group read the questionaire I was given and basically all said the same thing... they were overweight because most of it is because the food is just there. It wasnt like I ate the whole damn bag..I had 10, i counted them out. From then on I lied on everything for the dietian and sw.... they certainly made me feel like I was just gonna have the surgery and fail miserably because everyone does... no support from them at all... I got very upset and yelled at them before I left the appt...and they both stepped back and said... good luck you will hear from the surgeons office within 2 wks..I didnt wait..I called 2 days later... got in to see him 2 wks later and have my sugery booked for Oct 7.
Good luck, I'm sorry I didnt notice were you are having surgery when you do...I just know if it wasnt the for the local support group I belong to and my husband, I probably would still not have a surgery date.