Question:
Has anyone had this problem?

I had RNY on 10/7/02 and I have lost sixty pounds altogether. Needless to say I'm thrilled with this. I finally felt I had control over my eating issues, but yesterday I was so depressed over what had happened to the space shuttle that I felt I couldn't stop eating. I did a lot of grazing and felt out of control even though I ate no where near as much as I used to. Then today when I got on the scale it says I gained a pound, now I'm scared that I am going to fail. I am on antideppresants and usually feel great but I guess I was feeling at a low point. Have any of you experienced this and if so how do you handle it?    — kelly M. (posted on February 2, 2003)

February 2, 2003
I think that most of us have had a relapse at one point or another since WLS. The key here is that you've already lost a significant amount of weight and you only gained back one pound. You have recognized what you did wrong and now know the consequences of grazing. So, today you just get back on to eating the foods that are right for you and continue losing. You aren't a failure because you've gained back one pound. The goal now is to not let that one pound become 5 or 10. I frequently varied by a couple of pounds a week while losing, but in the end it has come off and is still coming off. So, relax and don't be so hard on your self and congratulations on losing those first 60 pounds.
   — Susan M.

February 2, 2003
Relax. This'll happen every time tragedy strikes. You should've seen me during the DC Sniper thing. I was seriously unglued. And that was 3 weeks! Eventually, you go back to equilibrium. The difference between now and pre-op days is that now I fairly easily get back on the wagon... before it was hopeless. You'll be fine. The fact that you "went into orbit" yesterday just proves you're a caring, feeling human being. I walked around in a blue funk all day. Prepare yourself for the future. Within weeks, we are probably going to war with Iraq. Many predict that this will set off more domestic terror attacks in the US. Prepare. Have some fruit, rice cakes, etc -- or whatever works for you-- on hand. Tell yourself that you're going to get through it. Write to people in the AMOS family. Life will always have potholes and speedbumps along the way. Have a mini-binge, cry, mourn, and then go to bed. Tomorrow's another day. We're resilient Americans and we'll get through whatever life hands us.
   — Nancy G.

February 3, 2003
I HAD OPEN RNY 11/4/02 I'VE LOST 58PNDS SO FAR AND I'M THRILLED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I FEEL I'M IN CONTROL AND NOT THE FOOD, BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT I HAVE HAD A FEW DAY'S WHERE I SEEM TO BE HUNGRY, OR JUST WANT TO EAT ALL DAY, I TRY REAL HARD NOT TO GO CRAZY, AND REALLY WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT WE CAN ONLY FIT SO MUCH AND USUALLY IT JUST TAKES A FEW BITES AND YOUR SATISFIED, UNLIKE BEFORE WHERE IT WOULD TAKE A WHOLE BOX OF COOKIES OR A BAG OF CHIPS, KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
   — Consuelo B.