It's My Fault, But Still Struggling

tdbull
on 2/4/15 12:40 am - WA

RNY on 08/13/13

OK - I don't know if I have stretched my stoma or I am eating from head hunger, but I had revision from LapBand to RNY August 2013. Lost to 112lbs, now I am back up to 129lbs. I am at my breaking point. I graze all day long, on everything except for sugars. Chips, crackers, protein bars, nuts, you name it. I'm eating about 2500 cal a day and sick of myself. Every day I get up with the thought that I will get back to eating basics, and by 3 pm I have blown it. I also worry that I can eat so much in one sitting. I can eat 2 slices of toast with peanut butter, or a whole bagel in one sitting. Should I be able to eat this much in 1 sitting?? Should I consult with my surgeon to see whether my surgery is failing me, or if I have damaged my stoma or pouch? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Lapband surgery in 2009 - Revision to RNY August 13, 2013 with gallbladder removal.

HW - (260) SW - (197) GW - (135), updated on 1-2-14 to 125lbs HT 5'5" Goal reached 3/2/14-revised goal to 120 on 3/9/14 reached 4/6/14

poet_kelly
on 2/4/15 1:00 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

Consulting your surgeon is a good idea, but I think it's normal at this point to be able to eat two slices of toast. It sounds like the problem isn't that your pouch has stretched, though, but your food choices. While I can eat two slices of toast, that's not something I eat often. And grazing all day long has nothing to do with the size of your pouch.

You might want to see a therapist to work on why you graze all day and why you are having so much trouble sticking to a plan for the day.

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

tdbull
on 2/4/15 1:56 am - WA

RNY on 08/13/13

Hi Kelly - thanks for your reply. I have been in therapy now for about 2 months - not seeing too much progress - I may be a tough case!! Historically, pre surgery I was anorexic and bulimic, so I know that I have head issues and eat from emotion rather than true physical hunger. I am not a quitter, so I keep showing up every day and trying. Thank You!!

Lapband surgery in 2009 - Revision to RNY August 13, 2013 with gallbladder removal.

HW - (260) SW - (197) GW - (135), updated on 1-2-14 to 125lbs HT 5'5" Goal reached 3/2/14-revised goal to 120 on 3/9/14 reached 4/6/14

poet_kelly
on 2/4/15 2:02 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

Well, I don't think it will be a quick fix. But if you have been in therapy for a couple of months and feel like you're not making progress, you might want to discuss that with the therapist. It might be that a different therapist or a different type of therapy would work better for you.

I think with a history of eating disorders, you are looking at a tough road. Certainly you're not alone there.

Do you go to a WLS support group? That might help. Overeaters Anonymous might help, too. I would think getting as much support as you possibly can would help.

Kelly

tdbull
on 2/4/15 2:42 am - WA

RNY on 08/13/13

You're so right. Since I am Kaiser Insurance, I am fairly limited on paid therapy, but I know I do well with more structure and discipline. I did well with WW before surgery - I should consider this or OA. Thanks!

Lapband surgery in 2009 - Revision to RNY August 13, 2013 with gallbladder removal.

HW - (260) SW - (197) GW - (135), updated on 1-2-14 to 125lbs HT 5'5" Goal reached 3/2/14-revised goal to 120 on 3/9/14 reached 4/6/14

Berryhoosier
on 2/4/15 3:23 am

RNY on 12/17/14

Something to look into: My therapist told me that psychologist/psychiatrists now have parity with medical doctors. That means that unless your insurance limits the number of times you can see your MD, they can't limit the number of times you see your therapist. I think they can still limit physical therapy and that sort of thing. And, it may only be a Georgia thing. But it's worth looking into.

mschwab
on 2/4/15 5:31 am

RNY on 11/21/14

Can you explain a little more about your limited MH benefit through Kaiser? Where do you live. What exactly is the issue. I work for Kaiser and you should have plenty of access to therapists.

Height: 5'7". HW: 299, Program starting weight: 290, SW: 238, CW 138 - 12 pounds under goal!

tdbull
on 2/4/15 6:29 am - WA

RNY on 08/13/13

I am in the Pacific NW region, and Kaiser doesn't have any therapists that deal with eating disorders, so I see a therapist who does specialize with disorders who takes Kaiser patients, and Kaiser pays all but my co-pay. But they only had 1 therapist who was taking new patients, so it's either this therapist or nothing. I do like her - she uses EMDR - and it takes some time, so I'll keep going.

Lapband surgery in 2009 - Revision to RNY August 13, 2013 with gallbladder removal.

HW - (260) SW - (197) GW - (135), updated on 1-2-14 to 125lbs HT 5'5" Goal reached 3/2/14-revised goal to 120 on 3/9/14 reached 4/6/14

mschwab
on 2/4/15 7:51 am

RNY on 11/21/14

I am in the Northwest. Where do you live? I work at the KP building across from Lloyd Center. Let me know if you need some help. I know some people!

Height: 5'7". HW: 299, Program starting weight: 290, SW: 238, CW 138 - 12 pounds under goal!

tdbull
on 2/4/15 1:41 pm - WA

RNY on 08/13/13

In Vancouver. My PCP is in the Orchards Bldg. She is great and has helped as much as she can. I am going to keep giving this therapist a try, as I do like her. Maybe I am just untreatable.