I was lucky.. I listened to my freind Charlene on here.. she warned us all about not "testing the waters".. that we don't need to know what we won't dump on.. please do go trying to test things... it is not worth it.. I did my homework before hand and feel lucky for having that benefit.. quit pushint the limit!!!... this is a lifestyle change... not a game!!!.. start walking and quit associating these "hunger" pains with hunger.. it's all in your mind.. its NOT the same... that part of you was bypassed... just drink thes hakes and stay focused.. please.. good luck !

Several things. Number 1 - stopping eating sugar. Sugar is not your friend. This is non-negotiable. It doesn't matter whether you dump on sugar or not - many GBS patients do not. The point is simply don't eat sugar.

Two - get your protein first. If the protein drinks don't work for you, there are options. First there are a couple of protein mixes people here really like - I let them respond to that. Initially, I got all my protein from double milks (8 oz. skim + 1/3rd cup dry milk). Also, high-quality greek yogurt may be your friend. Please coordinate this with your GBS dietician - it is important.

Three - some depression following GBS is normal but discussing your current situation with a qualified professional (psychiatrist/psychologist/etc) is a very smart thing to do. They can help you understand and deal with what is going on. Ask for help.

Four - exercise is critical each and every day. You don't have to be an olypian athlete. But you absolutely must move even if it is just walking several times a day. Several short walks may be better for you than one long one. Exercise is also non-negotiable. GBS patients build the ability to exercise more and more as time passes. But a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.

Five - water. Do not neglect your water.

Finally, know that everyone here wants you to succeed. We are here to help each other succeed. You have not failed - but you are having several issues that you must address. Do NOT beat yourself over this - that won't help. But you must not ignore this. Resolve to take the steps you need to get back on track.

And know this, there is success at the end of the tunnel. You CAN do this if you reach out and get the help you need. You are not alone. This journey is far from easy but it is also deeply rewarding along the way. The people here will help in any way we can. We can be one part of your team but you need to leverage your whole team.

First, kudos for coming online and sharing that you are struggling. Lots of people wouldn't have the cahones to do that. So good for you. Listen not sugar coating it (pun not intended) you could blow this... it's no joke BUT it sounds like you know what you need to do...

protein focused meals
exercise
water
little/no added sugars
***work on the head stuff

Working on the head stuff is probably the most important part.

Consider this a war... the surgery itself was battle 1 and every day there is a new fight. You will need all sorts of weapons to win. Your weapons: Find a local support group, OA meetings, get active on online groups, buddy up with someone, get a therapist versed in eating disorders, work with a nutritionist, chart your intake/exercise on fitday.com or dailyplate... etc.

On the depression... if you are on meds for it. See your Dr about working with your levels... we malabsorb (part of the surgery this has its positives and negatives) one negative is we malabsorb medication.

On the protein...You are 8 weeks out although it's easier to use protein powders and shakes are a nice go to you can get your protein needs through foods. So aim for high protein foods. If you want to try one more protein. Literally 99% of the people I turn on to it love it. Tastes awesome, no gnarly smell. The 411: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/04/heads-up-max-protein.html

Best wishes to you!!
~Michelle

Who do you have for close immediate support - spouse?, close family? friends? Most people here, including myself, feel that having an immediate support structure is of great help. Do you have someone close to you that is supportive of your struggles now, someone you can reach out to who can be with you?

One last thing, if you are concerned or frightened about asking for help from a mental health professional, don't be. Nearly all GBS patients have emotional issues that arise during the journey. Sometimes small, sometimes large.

I certainly did. And when I did, I had read enough stories here by that time to know that seeking professional help was a smart thing to do (yet another huge help I've gotten from this group). As it turns out, that process eventually led to a discovery that not only significantly improves ability to achieve long term success with GBS, but has dramatical improved my quality of life in many other ways. Asking for help can be the start of a brighter tomorrow.

As a person living with a mood disorder and 9 months out, I can tell you with complete certainty a mood imbalance will make you want to eat your own hand. The physical effects of depression mess with our hunger signals, especially sleep disruption. It also changes the way we percieve reality by generating automatic negative thoughts, self-doubt, and despair. Throughout the process this has been the number one challenge to my success. I strongly encourage you to do whatever it takes to find your balance.

Hi!

Struggling is nothing new for me! I am 2 1/2 years out, lost 80 pounds....... got pregnant, had a baby, and cant get rid of the last 5- That is not my struggle.....

After I had my daughter, I fell off the wagon! I pushed the sugar, pushed the soda and the empty carbs. As I have not gained the weight, I have daily remorse about it! I am not 100% on track, but I have gone back to my psychologist to get my stress level on track, so I can put my effort where it needs to go!!!!!!!

Wow good job and stepping up and asking for help you have taken the first step. Please heed the advice from this group and make the right decisions,

as for all of you who helped you all amaze me am really proud of You all for what you do and give you the GBS suppor t reward for being all around great help and good friends!

At 8 weeks out you have pushed the limits enough to know that you can eat all the sugar you want?
I'm almost 6 months and I'm terrified to even think about testing the waters.
I think you need to reevaluate why you had GBS to begin with. Was it to get healthy and lose weight?............you can't do that if you keep trying to eat the things that made you gain the weight to begin with.
I have faith that if you drink your protein shakes, get in as much protein foods as you can........you'll succeed.
Remember you can fail with this process, it's not the cure, it's a tool to help you get to that cure.
If you feel the need to snack, do it with healthy things. A handful of almonds, a yogurt, a sf popsicle, etc.
Good Luck.

Thank all of you who have replied. I really needed that push. In the beginning I tried not to test the waters, but i actually tried sugar on accident (didn't know it was in the protein I was using) then the stress and cravings started big time. I gave in and had a bite of someones dessert, then my daughters bday came and I had cake and it all just snowballed. I was hoping I'd get sick and learn to never do that, but it didn't turn out that way. Anyway, I know what I'm doing wrong and I needed you good people to tell me and push me to get back on track. I honestly thought the surgery would take my cravings away, but I have to fight them forever I guess. Anyway, thank you all, and I encourage further comments as well.

missina, one key thing to understand here is that more often than not, obesity does not exist in vacuum - i.e. there are always underlying reasons to why we are obese and frequently, when you strip away the weight, these issues do not just go away.

That is why we recommend people be evaluated professionally for the reasons that are the origins of our food addictions. And yes, it may be true that on some level you will have to fight your cravings from here forward. Often though, with proper identification of the underlying reasons for our obesity and proper treatment, that fight does not need to be debilitating or exhausting. The fight is ongoing for most of us, but treatment of these other issues - and they are different for each of us - gives us a better arsenal to use in our battles and can make a huge difference.

This approach has helped me tremendously. There is no doubt in my mind that treatment of underlying issues vastly improves my odds of long term sucess. Does it gauranteed success? No. But I am far better armed today.

Missina, I too am struggling with the cravings. How does a person go about finding a professional to talk too. I figure it has to be some thing in my past or how I feel about myself. I had to have some reason why I got heavy in the first place. I have lost 106 lbs and DO NOT WANT TO GAIN IT BACK. I love where I am right now. I still want to lose 15 moe lbs.
Connie

Connie,

For me, a very significant event happened during my initial GBS psych evaluation - though I didn't realize it at the time - it seemed totally insignificant - just one more of those 'in passing' things. Only later, post-surgery did I discover just how significant it really was.

Eventually, due to ther issues, I discussed the event with my primary care physician, who then did some preliminary work and had me return to the person who did the initial psych evaluation for a more thorough and professional evaluation.

To say that I've been helped by this process is an understatement. I am now much better armed and equipped for long term success with GBS. Does guarantee success? Nope, but it sure helps. It has also led to a better undertsanding of many things, not the least of which is my cravings and obesity.

If you have a good working relationship with your primary care physician and trust their guidance, start there. If not, ask your GBS team and/or the person who performed your initial psych clearance.

Dear Misina,

You just need to do the " one time mirror test " to cure you insanity. Yup, strip down buck naked an stand in from of a mirror. Take a good long look at all you fat and folds. Look long and hard!!! If you like what you see and you think that your looking at the body God intended you to have than by alleans keep stuffing your face with shit, otherwise get moving and shut the pie hole asap! You have a brief window of opportunity to change your life here and the clock is ticking. Sorry for my frankness but honestly girl you need a bit of a push here to say the least .

Luvin you

Brett