Hi, I'm Molly, I'm 18 months post-op and while I am either losing very slowly or stalling, I'm not doing what I need in order to lose the weight and keep it off. I'm not meeting my water goals, I'm not hitting my protein goals, I'm more sedentary than active, and I'm eating more slider foods and carbs than what I should be eating. I know what I need to do, it's the support and accountability I struggle with. Do you all know of any programs that support bariatric patients on a daily basis or review food logs for feedback?
Hi Molly, You sound like you really understand the important disciplines of post-op life. Your difficulties also sound very typical of so many people who have the surgery but aren't so prepared for what happens next.
As to accountability, if there was a group to help you, your best way to access it would be through your medical team. Back when I had the surgery 20 years ago, there was a whole system set up with schedules for the stages I had to go through. I had appointments with doctors, nutritionists, therapists and was referred to a support group. After I'd lost a lot of weight, I was recruited into a university study because I'd had my surgery at the University of Washington Medical School. I was just lucky to get that, and was followed up for seven years with all kinds of tests and overnight stays at the hospital for more analysis.
Do you have a post-op medical team? If not, you should ask. It's well-known that everyone struggles with accountability. It's not uncommon for patients to have physical follow-up with a variety of personnel.
But to state the obvious, you are so knowledgeable of your personal challenges, you'd be the best person to keep you on track. Why not keep a food journal to start with, and write down every crumb you put in your mouth and every sip of water you take? In the end, you're the only person who can control you. Choose just one goal at a time: be less sedentary; measure out your daily water and write down when you drink it; keeping track of your food works better when you actually PLAN your daily meals and then check off the items when you're done; if you can't find a group blessed by your medical team, even going to a group like Overeaters Anonymous or Weight Watchers can be helpful.
As I said, you are SO aware. That's a huge benefit. Now that you know your weaknesses, make a decision to defeat them, but only small battles at a time. You can do that but don't set a goal you can't reach. These little victories add up, and self-esteem comes along with them.
This is a new life and you are so lucky to have this chance to transform yourself from the failures that led to obesity to the healthy habits that have allowed you to be a new, confident, beautiful person. Congratulations and best of luck.
