Advice
- Thread starter browne310
- Start date
I really appreciate your advice. To be honest, I do struggle with depression. Because of covid I haven't been able to go to therapy and I think you are right; I'm falling into bad habits. I truly appreciate your advice - it was kind of like a wake up call. I am a female, 24. My name is Emily I had surgery on Jan. 21, 2020. I have lost 44lbs. so far. I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I am going to work on getting my hope back. I have been looking for support groups to talk about this stuff with and I really appreciate that you took the time to respond. Thank you. You have definitely given me the advice I need to get back on track.
Brenda2010
Member
Hi Emily, I also struggle with depression and anxiety. Since COVID hit, being stuck in my 4 walls and in my head hasn't been good for me either. A few weeks ago, I called my doctor and she increased my dosage of anti-anxiety meds and put me on a mild sedative as well. I have a standing tele-appointment every 2 weeks with her now just to check on my well being.
Fortunately, I don't have many foods in the house that I can indulge in but Diane's advice is great when she said throw it out! If it's not there, it can't tempt you and right now it's not easy to run out of the house for a simple craving item.
44 pounds in a little over 3 months is wonderful!!! We all loose at our own pace but eventually, we all loose. You have your youth on your side too, which is priceless. Have you been doing any workouts at home?
One thing about me is that I'm an alcoholic in recovery (4 years on May 21st). So I've gone online to find other support groups. I found a site with all kinds. You should visit and see if you find any that may be worth listening in on: In The Rooms: An Online Addiction Recovery Community
it's not just drugs/alcohol, they also have overeaters meetings, codependency, trauma, COVID support and many more. So far, I've listened in on about 6 meetings of different types. It helps to hear what others have gone through and are currently going through.
Please hang in there. Call your doctor about your prescriptions and keep checking in here and maybe try out that other site too. You're doing great!
mmitti
Member
Welcome, Emily. I had sleeve surgery on the same day as you! The thing I MUST do stay successful is to track everything I eat, which also counts my protein. I do it on a website called SparkPeople. If I did not have this written record, I would have no idea how I am doing each day. I do get tired of eating the same proteins every day. But I look at my life before surgery, and I had mine at age 65, and now; I'm 75 pounds down and have settled into about 2 pounds a week.
I have days where I think of the foods I used to eat and wish I could eat them; then I obsess about my next meal, which really isn't a meal, because it's a small amount of protein. Once again I look at the big picture and see the choice I have to make.
I'm really glad you did this as a very young person. You can move your life in a new direction, as can I, of course, but you have many life adventures ahead of you with a renewed body
I also suffer from depression and am on meds. I used to eat to cover the feelings; can't do that now. I tried once or twice to overeat, but decided against it as a coping skill. The sleeve gets overfilled and uncomfortable. I have telemed appointments on my computer with my therapist.
My biggest piece of advice is to track what you eat. Seeing it visually will help your brain.
Hang in there. This is a good group. You can look up lots of topics in old posts. There's a search function at the top of this page.
Come back and let us know how you are doing.
I have days where I think of the foods I used to eat and wish I could eat them; then I obsess about my next meal, which really isn't a meal, because it's a small amount of protein. Once again I look at the big picture and see the choice I have to make.
I'm really glad you did this as a very young person. You can move your life in a new direction, as can I, of course, but you have many life adventures ahead of you with a renewed body
I also suffer from depression and am on meds. I used to eat to cover the feelings; can't do that now. I tried once or twice to overeat, but decided against it as a coping skill. The sleeve gets overfilled and uncomfortable. I have telemed appointments on my computer with my therapist.
My biggest piece of advice is to track what you eat. Seeing it visually will help your brain.
Hang in there. This is a good group. You can look up lots of topics in old posts. There's a search function at the top of this page.
Come back and let us know how you are doing.
Bill S.
Member
Hi and welcome Emily I’m sorry for what you’re going through! I’m depressed about food too the foods I used to love like hamburgers,pizza ,pasta,tortillas,sausage ,eggs I could go on I discovered I don’t like them anymore. Yesterday I had 2 Jack in the Box Tacos which I used to love and eat about 10 of them I didn’t like them while I was eating them . Your tastes change after surgery I don’t know what you have been snacking non but I hope it’s healthy I’ve been snacking on shelled peanuts not a lot just a handful and they’re pretty satisfying also beef jerky cause I get bored and want to eat too or maybe a piece of string cheese . So you can still snack and eat healthy. Also you lost 44 pounds in 3 months that’s pretty awesome ive only been losing 2 maybe 3 pounds a week and I think that’s not much so please don’t be depressed you can get through this and let us know how you’re doing!!
Emily, I had gastric bypass on Dec 2. I have been lucky in that I have had no significant setbacks so far. My weight loss has been due to severely curtailed intake and a lot of walking. The best way to watch the food intake is to record everything you put in your mouth. I use the Fitbit tracking software. I'm using it to track the exercise and food. By tracking what I eat, I know if I am close to my 80 grams of protein and what the total calorie intake is.
By focusing on the protein and water first, I can make good decisions on what else I can eat. Early on, I wasn't able to get all of the needed protein and the water wasn't much better. The exercise was critical to my success. I'm fortunate to have family and friends who are very supportive. The Fitbit helps me to get out and walk. Sometimes around the block and sometimes just around the court, but it helps me to keep moving.
Brenda2010
Member
Bill - I've said it before, 2 to 3 pounds a week is great at this stage. Be proud of it!
Cyxelsid
Member
Hi Emily! We are surgery buddies! My VSG was done on 1/22/20! I also struggled with food boredom during the first several months of my recovery. I posted a lot of tasty recipes on the recipe page, you should check them out.
Emily....i am new to this website but i can see that others are providing lots of advice to you and your current situation.....i was told that the slower you lose weight, the better it is for you body....nobody wants the saggy skin after losing weight quickly!! Chin up.......
I had my surgery last week and i am not having as easy time due to pain etc....i can only take it day to day (or hour to hour right now).
I had my surgery last week and i am not having as easy time due to pain etc....i can only take it day to day (or hour to hour right now).
WWWindy
Member
Garner, it is sad that you are having a tough time. But you seem very positive despite the pain. Hang in there.
gzar
Member
Welcome, Emily.
44 lbs since Jan is a huge win. Great advice here so far. I'd add...what exercise are you doing? You should be walking at least, it will help burn calories and make you feel better about yourself, give you a goal accomplished feeling. Exercise or physical activity is a critical component in well being, mental and physical.
Are you getting outside? Getting some sunshine & the amazing viramin D it provides?
44 lbs since Jan is a huge win. Great advice here so far. I'd add...what exercise are you doing? You should be walking at least, it will help burn calories and make you feel better about yourself, give you a goal accomplished feeling. Exercise or physical activity is a critical component in well being, mental and physical.
Are you getting outside? Getting some sunshine & the amazing viramin D it provides?