Disappointed Part Deux

Hey all, Molly Mae gave me the suggestion to come on here from my post on the main board.   Where to start...I had surgery 3+ years ago and I was doing really well...then I hit a plateau and just stayed there...and even more recently I've backslid by about 40lbs.  I could stand to lose about 100lbs still.  I would never knock the progress I've made but...I know I could do better. I am so disappointed in myself.  Asking for help is my weakness...but I realize after a couple rough months that I was given the gift of the "tool"...I don't want to abuse it. Any suggestions or support out there would be awesome! Thanks, Sarah

Just know that you are not alone. I too... never got to goal.. but I am happy that I had a 120 lb loss. I'll never give up.. and I think there needs to be more "after care" for folks who go through this life changing surgery. We continue to need support and guidance to deal with the issues that caused the weight gain to begin with. Thats what I find on this board. I have been motivated (after being gone for two years) to go back to the gym. In two weeks I managed to get up to 3. 5 miles on the treadmill... added water back to my life... and feel more in control then I had over the past two years. I think the battle will always be ours.... we just have to find what works for us. Don't give up.. and keep coming back. Sometimes I just read posts.. and look for the small messages that speak to me. Good luck.. and know you're not alone.

You're right...the battle will never go away.  I think I forgot that.  I wasn't so unhappy at my plateau size and then I felt out of control in my career so I didn't really care what I was eating.   Thanks for the suggestions.  It does help just to know I'm not alone.   ((((HUGS)))) Sarah

Hi Sarah, I'm glad you found this forum and hopefully you will be too. There is a lot of wisdom here and a lot of inspirational people who *did* reach goal and who continue to stay on track. I just came back to this site less than a month ago and quit hiding from myself thinking I would never regain until I tried to slip into my size 10 GAP shorts from last year (my first skinny summer) only to my dismay to disvover I really needed size 14 now am in a tight 12. When I came onto this forum for the first time I paged, and paged back through the archives and found lots of post that I could relate to and read them and gained lots of insight about how to get back on track. Or little nuggets of truth that prompted me to google things and look things up in the OH library. It is very helpful. Anyway, I will be seeing you around here! Molly

Hi Sarah, I remember you from the main boards 3 years ago.  I had my surgery in April 2004, a little after you.  I also just recently started logging on to this forum for the same reason.  I did get to my goal, but then I slacked off and gained 20 lbs. I think that we need to remind ourselves that this is a lifelong process.  This is a great forum, I've already learned alot from the folks here that remain dedicated. Best wishes, Jenn

Count me in this too, and I TOTALLY agree with you that there needs to be more aftercare for WLS. Other than that 1st month post-op, you seem to be on your own. Even the support groups remain focused on pre-op or within the 1st year post op. And other than a cursory psych eval, there is not even a recommendation of working on the issues that contributed to the eating patterns.

I agree with Melady.  The hospital I had surgery with really helped me that first year, but after that this isn't much.  There is alot of informational meetings etc pre-op but you pretty much have to search for long-term postop patients.  I do anyway.  That is why I'm so glad there is this site to find support. I have always found food to be the answer to any saddness or happiness in my life.  I use food for everything and I LOVE it sooo much that I'm ruining my success with wls.  I'm trying to come to grips with the food DEMONS.   Best of luck to you and see you on the boards!! Penny B

Hello to you all,

 Boy, I tell ya, this thread really, really hits home.  I had my rny Sept. 19, 2005.  I did really well for a while, but really I believe will power had  nothing to do with it.  My body forced me to behave.  I lost a total of 110# and haven't lost anymore since last year.  My body got used to eatting more gradually, my mind and heart became slack, backing off from intense motivation and fell back into the old ways of eatting "junk" type foods.  Even when I eat healthy, I seem to be able to eat, or desire to eat an hour later.  Never in my life before did I realize or want to acknowledge I was a food addict, however, after this surgery, I think of my next meal aLOT.  It's humiliating, embarassing and more.  I have around 60 - 70 more pounds to lose to make my goal but who knows if I'll ever get there.  You think this surgery is a "magic" pill, but the same psychological issues are still there.  Food is a way of life for many people, celebrates, comforts, entertains, ect.  I am soooo glad I had this surgery, but feel I, too, am a failure.  I read all the people who've made this surgery a success and I'm ashamed!  It feels impossible to me to just mainly eat proteins for the rest of my life...but that's a requirement.  All we can do is band together, hold each other up and pray for guidance!  Take care and write me if you ever need to talk.