3 Years Out & Struggling!

I am a 3-yr grad as of May 7th. I am one of the ones who is struggling. I was doing quite well through my 2nd anniversary, but then shortly thereafter the cravings and appetite returned. No matter what I have tried this past year, nothing has turned the situation around, and I've now gained back about 25 lbs, and can't wear any of the clothes I could wear last summer. I have been seeing an eating disorder therapist, but that hasn't helped either, mainly because when I crave - I eat, and the eating has become a compulsive behavior once again (as it was before WLS). I'm sorry if this scares some of you, but it is a reality: many post-ops 2+ years out are dealing with this issue. So please, please don't anyone adopt a ****y attitute that you won't ever ALLOW this to happen to you. I used to lead my surgeon's support group, and I could not understand how anyone could ALLOW regain - "we all have the tool, you just need to work it." Those are wonderful words, so long as you're not a compulsive overeater/binge-eater. And unless you are, you have no idea how out of control that makes you. In the meantime, I will continue seeing my therapist in hopes that the situation will improve, and maybe at least I'll stop the regain where it is. Good luck to all!

Betsy, Good Luck to you working back to Your Goals! Knowing that You CAN, May be half the battle! Best Wishes- Dx

Thanks for sharing Betsy. I hope you can get a handle on this and wish you the best to get that re-gain back off. amber 299/140/140 -159 (made goal 05/16/06)

Betsy, This is a journey that has a double edge sword and is filled with peril. Each of us fights our own demons some with food and others with excercise or the combination of both. Being a compulsive overeater had gotten me to 415 lbs the further out of post-op I get the more I need to battle these demons. I attend support group and speak at community lectures & behavior modification classes to try and keep myself in check. I will keep you in my prayers that you find the strength to defeat your demons. Mary

I completely understand what you are going through. It was smooth sailing up until now. I will be three years out in October this year and it wasn't until last fall that I realized my cravings and old habits had snuck themselves back into my lifestyle.First it was a few chips here and there to have as a allowance snack. Now I feel like I don't even have a pouch for a stomache anymore!! I lost 190 lbs, but have gained 20 of it back. I know some of you are thinking that's not so bad, but it is when you know it could have been prevented. It is definately mind over matter.. or rather mind over cravings. When i crave, I drink water, go for a walk, work out, or do some other "skinny person" mantra. This is the part of our lives where we must steady our courses so we don't end up on that same path of weight gain that led us to WLS to begin with. I think the more we can come together on this issue the better. Being the leader of your support group doesn't mean you can't falter every now and then. Be positive and fight those demons! I'm with you all the way.

Hi Betsy I live in Guilford County but shop and spend most of my time in Alamance. I work out at Golds in Burlington and even teach a water fitness class. I am just one year out in a few days. I would love to talk to you. Let me know if you are interesed and I will give you my email and phone so we can get in touch!!! Jen

Hi Betsy! I'm so sorry you're struggling. I promised myself when I went into this thing that I would never say never b/c anything can happen. You're doing the best thing you can do~you realized the problem, you're seeking help and I hope that you can get a handle on this. Emotional or compulsive eating is so hard to deal with~Just like a drug addiction they say~so I'm sure its very hard on you. Hang in there and don't give up!!!!! Hugs, Tracy B 328/154 5'9"

Check with your doctor about meds for the compulsion problems. My surgery angel gained back 75 pounds - was going to a therapist too. She told her doc when she finally went back and he put her on a med for OCD patients. He said she doesn't have OCD but enough tendencies where she is compulsive and can't stop the compulsive bahavior. The meds have done wonders - she still craves things but can leave them alone. She has now lost 70 of the 75 she put back on. He told her some people need meds like those that suffer from depression to make this work. She was told it wasn't her fault, just a trait that she couldn't control on her own no matter how hard she tried. The meds have made a lot of difference and with help from the therapist she hopes to decrease the meds eventually.

Hi Betsy, I know exactly what you're going through. Today is my 3-year anniversary and I've been struggling too. I had lost about 140 lbs. and now have gained back over 40. I've also been seeing a therapist and hope that it will help eventually. If you want, feel free to e-mail me, and maybe we can offer each other some support to help get ourselves back on track. Take care, Lisa Stone

Go****'s good to know I'm not struggling alone. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond. Too bad the surgeon's offices aren't doing more in the way of follow-up care for those of us who are struggling this far out with the return of compulsive behaviors. They ought to be coordinating group therapy sessions specific to this issue. I have been in therapy with an eating disorder therapist, but she doesn't really have experience with post-WLS patients. And it doesn't help that I can't seem to follow her recommendations. For instance, on my food/feelings journal (that I am to fill-out every time I eat), I have not been able to express my thoughts and feelings when I feel the need to eat, so I can't ever figure out what it is that I really "need" or what I'm feeling when I'm having so-called "hunger pangs" (which are really just cravings). It just always feels like I'll scream if I don't get something to eat immediately - and it always seems to need to be some type of carb. That's what makes me think that if I can remove the simple carbs from my diet, maybe I'll eventually stop craving them. Boy is that easier said than done! More and more I realize that this behavior is as addictive as alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, etc. I start each day saying this day I will be good, but then the craving**** and if I don't immediately give in to it, I feel like I'm going to die. I've even gotten the shakes before when I have tried to work through it without eating. It's as physical a withdrawal reaction as any addiction. If I could just find a way to get over the hump of those initial withdrawal symptoms, I think I could find my way to overcoming the addiction. So I guess that's what I need to work on. Again, thanks everyone for your replies. Hugs,