Ok, so I think it's time for a mental reality check here

Cleopatra_Nik
on 4/17/12 1:43 am - Baltimore, MD

I don't think surgeons are misinforming. I think though we are seeing a wonderful shift in how we talk about WLS. When you and I were baby post-ops there were only a few brave souls who shared the realtiies of how HARD this is mentally. Everyone else seemed to be a part of the rainbow coaltion.

Nowadays you have folks talking about addiction. Admitting they don't always make the best food choices even after surgery. For goodness sakes, we admit to eating carbs!!!

I hope the reality aspect of how we discuss WLS leads folks to realizing you have to take a holistic approach from the outset. I didn't expect that surgery would take away my bad habits. I DID expect that surgery would expose them. I had myself so insulated I didn't even know what my problem was. And surgery did help with that. Once I could not eat those feelings they became apparent REAL quick.

RNY Gastric Bypass 1-8-08 350/327/200 (HW/SW/CW). I spend most of my time playing with my food over at Bariatric Foodie - check me out!

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version
on 4/17/12 1:52 am - OH

RNY on 08/27/07

Yes, you are definitely right about the change in content from 5 years ago when VERY few people admitted to still struggling with food demons post-op or to making poor food choices... OR to finding ways to be able to accommodate a small chocolate (or crunchy, salty) treat each day! Ah, yes... I can still hear the echoes of some long-gone members... "You eat chocolate almost every day... after your RNY?!? Why would you ever do that?!?" At one point, that admission (even followed by the reassurance that my labs are fine and my weight is stable) would have been blasphemy!

Lora

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

Cleopatra_Nik
on 4/17/12 2:02 am - Baltimore, MD

RNY on 01/08/08

If it makes you feel any better I still have to live with the memory of the "strawberry debacle."

RNY Gastric Bypass 1-8-08 350/327/200 (HW/SW/CW). I spend most of my time playing with my food over at Bariatric Foodie - check me out!

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version
on 4/17/12 4:43 am - OH

RNY on 08/27/07

LOL. I remember....

Lora

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

M U.
on 4/17/12 1:58 am

RNY on 12/04/09

Excellent post Nik. I'm guilty as charged...

I am just now (at 2 1/4 years out) really beginning to address the why's. And like you said, they are exposed now for me to identify and explore. Even though I have put back on a bit of the weight, it's not enough to freak me out (yet). I really hope that exploring my issues will put the brakes on and assist in me getting off the rest and keeping it off.

Surgery was great during that blissful "I can't eat" stage, but now real life beckons. Yeah, I can't stuff my face like I used to in one sitting, but those early days truly are a fairy tale in terms of appetite and desire to eat.

I'm not gonna give up. I can't squander this...not this time.

360/339/197.2/221.8/175 (HW/SW/LW/CW/GW)

siberiancat
on 4/17/12 2:22 am - COLUMBIA CITY, IN

RNY on 03/25/09

I agree Nik. At 3 years out I still take the emotional issue of changing my lifestyle and my choices very seriously.

I keep a food journal (though not daily as I did the first two years). I also read, read, read about nutrition, food toxicity, addiction, cognitive (thought) therapy, go to support groups, meet with dietician, pray - whatever to remember that "this" is a day to day FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE challenge. I make the next right or wise choice.

I've become "very picky" about what I eat the the quality of what I eat. I want my food to nourish my body for my health - not meet a momentary emotional "need" to feel good. I can meet my emotional needs in ways other than food (sleep, music, book, cup of tea, texting, netflix, knitting, etc.)

Keep up your usual good work. Penny

Penny
Highest Weight 255 * Wt loss includes 19 lb lost before surgery

Cleopatra_Nik
on 4/17/12 2:27 am - Baltimore, MD

RNY on 01/08/08

Having just enjoyed a delicious cup of organic chai tea...I tend to agree with you!

I still have a hard time findng my "feel goods." But I try to walk away from the fridge as often as possible when I feel I need a feel good.

RNY Gastric Bypass 1-8-08 350/327/200 (HW/SW/CW). I spend most of my time playing with my food over at Bariatric Foodie - check me out!

hedrider
on 4/17/12 2:35 am - Midlothian, TX

RNY on 03/29/10

Good point, and for me at least -perfect timing.

I'm at that point. The "magic" of weight loss is gone. I have no desire to lose more. I'm where I want to be, actually a little under it. So the motivation of eating right to lose weight is not as HUGE as it has been for two years.

I see bad habits starting to sneak back in because I no longer weight eating something against the need to lose more weight. Head tells me I'm hungry? Eat some nsa sweet gherkins. 10 of them. Get full. Become unable to eat dinner. Get "hungry" at 8pm - eat a ciabatta roll... it's a cycle of unhealthy eating habits that start with that first bite. Maybe they aren't the worst habits I could have, but they are a nice big step onto that slippery slope. And it can and will escalate unless I can start figuring out what's going on in my head when that first "need to bite" feeling comes over me.

Heather
Since 2008 my team has raised over $42,000 to fight breast cancer.