Medication causing regain :(

Tomorrow I have my first session with my bariatric specialist nurse in a year. It turns out the new meds I trialed have a side effect of weight gain via increased appetite. I haven't been able to feel full or satisfied in months. This was the same situation that led me to having VSG. I am coming off the meds (it's been a slow weaning) but am also worried I will find I need them to manage my chronic pain better (I had an accident a few years ago). The nurse said if that's the case it is going to be hard to do much about weight gain / staying on track.

Feeling pretty depressed and devastated. Having VSG operation and putting in the hard work only to fall backwards because of stupid medications is actually heartbreaking. I worked hard to stop snacking, to eat mindfully and follow the plan and while not perfect I had reached my goal and was maintaining.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Any suggestions or words of wisdom?

You can still be on the medication and lose or maintain weight. It's just going to be harder . The meds aren't putting the food in your mouth.

Lots of us gave had to be on meds that have the same side effect. It just takes more effort to keep the food away. You can do it.

Hi to all that responded,

Thank you for your kind and considered replies. l have been seeing a therapist. Sorry for the delay in coming back. I actually had a very bad response to the new medication and had to be placed with mental health services while I was weaned off it and back to my previous medication.

At the time there was no way I could just "try a little harder" to stay on track, nor control my mind/body disconnect. I am slowly able again to feel my hunger limits and now am working towards clearing the mental fog and focusing forward. Just gotta keep trucking on. Can't change a lifetime of habits in one hit, but can grow more self aware and am grateful you took the time to respond.

Wishing you all the best.

C

I've been in similar situations and it helps to remind myself that hunger and appetite don't need to control me. I've tried to get my brain away from the thought that I should eat to feel full and to only eat what I need to eat.

I'm really sorry that you're suffering with chronic pain. It's craptastic and often those of us with chronic pain are treated like **** by various medical professionals. Are you seeing a therapist? I think that one could really benefit you on many fronts!

Hi to all that responded,

Thank you for your kind and considered replies. l have been seeing a therapist. Sorry for the delay in coming back. I actually had a very bad response to the new medication and had to be placed with mental health services while I was weaned off it and back to my previous medication.

At the time there was no way I could just "try a little harder" to stay on track, nor control my mind/body disconnect. I am slowly able again to feel my hunger limits and now am working towards clearing the mental fog and focusing forward. Just gotta keep trucking on. Can't change a lifetime of habits in one hit, but can grow more self aware and am grateful you took the time to respond.

Wishing you all the best.

C

Knowing it's "head hunger" and where it's coming from should be helpful fighting it; at least you're not just thinking you're coincidentally extra-hungry.

You may be able to fight fire with fire using a hunger suppressing medicine. They all suck in their own ways, but may be better than nothing, ask your doctor. I'm in the pre-op diet phase and taking hunger-suppressing Topamax + sertraline, to counteract the hunger-enhancing effect of an Abilify-like drug that I actually take for its intended purpose (mood). It all works well. Though I'm weaning off that soon and will drop the hunger suppressant post-surgery (if not before).

Hi to all that responded,

Thank you for your kind and considered replies. l have been seeing a therapist. Sorry for the delay in coming back. I actually had a very bad response to the new medication and had to be placed with mental health services while I was weaned off it and back to my previous medication.

At the time there was no way I could just "try a little harder" to stay on track, nor control my mind/body disconnect. I am slowly able again to feel my hunger limits and now am working towards clearing the mental fog and focusing forward. Just gotta keep trucking on. Can't change a lifetime of habits in one hit, but can grow more self aware and am grateful you took the time to respond.

Wishing you all the best with your journey!

C