I'm worried

I have always been an overeater, an emotional eater, a boredom eater.... well I keep telling myself to get on track before I have this surgery and I just can't seem to stick to it ! I know, I know.... I need to keep talking to my shrink and I do. I'm just worried that I will do this surgery for nothing ... anyone else go through this? or worried like me? BE HONEST does it sound like I am just going to waste my time with this surgery? What can I do to stop this vicious cycle? I just want to be healthy, thin ... not a failure. ~~Rona

I am 6 months out and I was an emotional eater. I ate when I was happy, sad, bored...you name it and there was food involved. I ate ALOT once I was approved for surgery because I knew that I wouldn't be able to. I think they call it "Last Supper". Once I had my surgery I was too afraid to eat or try new things. I'm not going to lie or sugar coat anything and tell you I didn't miss food. I went through a lot emotionally and I wasn't always the happiest person. I have come a long way. Once the weight started coming off and I noticed the change in myself I was ok. My real pivital moment was my christmas luncheon at work. We had all types of food and I started with a small plate, made wise choices and had a little of my favorite things without going overboard. I stopped when I was full!! Then I sat at my desk and cried....tears of JOY. There was all that food and it didn't matter anymore. It didn't matter that I couldn't have all the desserts, side dishes and fattening foods. I BROKE the cycle. I wrote a little note to my surgeon's office and faxed it over. I had to Thank them for saving my life!! Without this surgery I know that my health would only deteriate and I would die from obesity. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I say that to myself every single day. I have lost 106 pounds in 6 months and I know I have a long way to go but it is worth it. Every day is an extra day I have with my son. Every day is one where I am in control of what happens and what I eat. Every day I am transforming into a much healthier person who can be an example for my son. You too can break the cycle. It's not going to be easy but you can do it. The first step is to believe in yourself. One thing that helps me is looking in the mirror. I would never look in the mirror because I hated what I saw. Now you can't keep me out of the mirror. I tell everyone that I am a HOT MAMA and a work in progress. You have to have faith in yourself. Keep you head up! Stacey B

Rona, we all loved food, I for one still do. But the one thing this surgery teaches us is to limit what we do put into our mouths. I keep that fat picture right on the fridge so i see it every time i open it up. We were all sure we'd be the only one that wls didn't work for. At the beginning we can't eat more than a bite or two, so we make sure what we do put into our mouths is nutritious. Food is no longer our friend, it's fuel to live by. Some of us mourn the loss of our friend , some don't. The trick is that early out when we do use the food for fuel, that we learn to keep that habit for later on when we can eat more. I don't deprive myself of anything, if i crave something bad enough i'll take a bite or two and i'm done with it. I honestly don't think you're going to fail. The good thing is that you see the problem and aren't in denial. Keep on trying to get on track, i know it's hard at first but when you see that you're losing then you'll stick to it. Hugs Linda

I think that it is a good thing that you are worried...that means that you will be someone that pays attention to everything from what you have ate to what is going on with your body...I would say it is probably normal..You are looking at things that make you uncomfortable...One thing you will probably work through is WHY? you ate....I believe in you......SO now believe in yourself,,,,You can do it/....

Rona, I have to tell you, I worry about the same thing...If I can't stop now, how am I going to stop after WLS??? After readying these responses to you, I'm begining to understand more of how this works...

Hey Rona, I am one month post op; I believed the same thing! But I can see some progress despite my setbacks I have had. Food was my best friend, protector, and cushion against the world worst woes. Until that is my family doc in Dec. told me I was diabetic; that was the kicker for me.. I want to live a healthy life! I am sure I will still have those old cravings; but I am going to remember how difficult it was to get this far! And if I have a craving I am going to find a smart way to satisify it! For instance one lady on the board who said she was ok'ed for normal food was craving a sonic chili dog; my answer have your own lowfat guiltless chili dog!!! It is all about choices. Make peace with yourself and your choices and you can and will suceed!! Think of every reason you want to use this tool of surgery to accomplish your goal. Also line up your support. I only shared my surgery with those I knew where going to be postive and supportive. YOU CAN DO IT. WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT!! Best wishes and Good Luck, Judy R.

It's natural to worry about it. Trust me. Also, trust me when I say that you will not be a failure. Heck, I still have my moments where I want to gorge on food, but I can't. The first time you overeat and get sick (meaning either you will throw up or have the runs) you will never want to experience that again. Initially you will still have that want, but it goes away. At least it did for me. On a normal day, I just don't have that same desire to eat as I did before.

sounds a lot like me. and i'm down over 200lbs now since the surgery. i needed help. having the surgery gave me a tool that helped. with that help i was able to do the rest to get myself more help. i had some results and it gave me motivation and determination...not to mention HOPE. it's amazing what a little hope can do.

You have no idea how well you are going to do. You are doing all the right things. First and for most you have recongnized you do have issues with food and you are addressing it. That is 2/3 of the solution to our weight problems. You have set goals and are trying to work toward them, your are seeking counseling, and you are here at OH looking for the support you need to get thru your journey. Good luck to you. You will do great! Remember change of any kind is scary.----Toni

OK Rona, you said be honest, and you said it in ALL CAPS (LOL) so I'm going to. I don't want to make anyone upset or be negitive, but I am going to lay it all out for you, sister. (And of course, this is just MY experience, I am not speaking for anyone else here at all). I am almost exactly 1 year out. I have lost 112lbs. I still have over 40 lbs. left to go until goal. I do feel good, I am looking better than I ever have, and I still have this problem with overeating and eating for reasons other than being hungry. I had WLS because I figured what do I have to lose? I wasn't going to get any thinner by not having the surgery. So I had it, and I lost weight. I followed what my doc and NUT said. I read the posts, listened to the "old timer's" advice and did great. For the past two months however; I have struggled. I have been overeating. I have learned how to eat, get full, wait a bit, then eat again....all day long. I know exactly how many girl scout cookies I can eat before I dump. This week was the worst. I am PMSing like you would not believe, I am stressed about work and an upcoming wedding that both families are trying to ruin. So I have turned to my best buddy....snacking. Now, the good thing is, I haven't gained a lot back. I know what I"m doing isn't healthy. I also know I have to get back on track, and if I gained a few pounds, I will still be ok. They will come off when I get my act together and do what's right. The answer to the question of why will you stick to a "diet" after surgery if you can't do it now is.......you will have a HUGE jump start. It won't be like before, when you are say, 300 lbs. and you struggle to just lose 10lbs. and that isn't a drop in the bucket. By the time you can eat normally again, you will have lost a lot of weight. If you fall off the wagon, you have a great tool to get you back on. Sorry to be so long winded, but this is a pet peeve of mine. I feel like enough people don't talk to pre-op's about the reality of your food issues coming back and how to deal with it. You can do it. We seek support when we need it, and you also have the feeling of a new you reminding you to not fall back into your old lifestyle. Brenda