Question:
Post Op Weight Watchers
I am post op lapband 30 pounds, since 4/08. Even though I feel much better since the surgery, I still crave foods too often I should not be eating. I have had 4 fills, and I am at a good restriction. I am thinkng about joining weight watchers for emotional support, to keep me on track. What do you guys think, and is their anyone out there on weight watchers after wls surgery!!!!! — savoy7658 (posted on October 12, 2008)
October 12, 2008
I am 2 1/2 mo rny I think any kind of support helps. i say go for it. best
of luck tammi
— Tammi Sandoval
October 12, 2008
The reason you still crave the foods you should not be eating is that you
have a carb addiction. They did surgery on your stomach, not your brain
and no matter who you pay your money to in the way of weight loss centers,
it's probably not going to change. Weight watcher counts points and all
foods are included. We lapbanders are supposed to avoid carbs at least
until we reach goal weight and after only select ones. We will have this
struggle for the rest of our lives. This is why the sooner you begin
dealing with and really digging deep with your relationship with
food/carbs, the better off you'll be. I would rather you went to an
addiction specialist or spend the money on a life coach. The more you
avoid carbs, the less you'll crave them. The way to lose weight is 70%
protein, 30% veggies at each meal, eat until you are satisfied, exercise,
vitamins, water but not with meals and emotional work.
Now that you have good restriction and your tool is deployed, you have a
wonderul chance to really be successful here. If you follow the rules of
protein and veggies and avoid carbs, you'll stop craving them and the
weight will begin to come off steadily. Once you get some success under
your belt, you'll want to do more. Congrats on the 30# so far, that is
wonderful,,, keep up the good work.
Best of luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
October 12, 2008
Have you tried a Obesity Help supportgroup in your area ?What about getting
support from the lapbander site on OH ?I don't think weight watches is
geared torward WLS. I would even go to a mental health therapist in eating
disorders. Congrads on you 30 lbs weight loss !! Keep up the good work.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 12, 2008
As a Lifetime member of Weight Watchers, I still needed to have the rn/y
done. You might do okay at Weight Watchers if you followed the Core Plan
which encourages more protein and less carbs. I too have an addiction to
carbs, and after my surgery 8/22/08, getting off the carbs and on to high
protein has helped me tremendously. I agree with Dawn Vickers, get off
those carbs. The cravings will go away in a couple of days.
Good luck and congrats on your progress. Hang in there!
— katiecakes
October 12, 2008
I have known several women who have lost a lot of weight on WW....but they
went to meetings, exercised and followed the meal plan. Their selections
of foods were based on biggest bang for the buck....or biggest amt for
lowest points. They made mention that the meetings helped them to identify
the "bad" relationship they had w/ foods and it gave them tips on
how to change those behaviours. So it can be helpful to some who use it
responsibly....but I agree w/ the others......your problem sounds exactly
like a carb addiction. Get off the carbs....increase the protein and
veggies and get exercising. I should know because I used to be a
carbaholic. Everything and anything carb was my motto. This does not go
away overnight. You have to rewire your brain and it takes time and effort
on your part. Sure they fixed your belly to take in LESS....but they did
not fix it NOT to take in unhealthy foods. You would benefit from a
nutritional consult....if your have insurance.....they normally pay for up
to 3 visits per calendar year.....obesity is a covered diagnosis. This
would give you a basis on how to understand the foods you put into your
body, what it does to your body (good or bad) and how to start making
healthy selections and knowing the proper nutrients your body needs to
promote healthy wt loss. Secondly...you need to get involved in a support
group....either on line, locally or the one recommended by your WL surgeon.
This will give you a way to vent, listen, learn and get support from
others who are going through or who have gone through what you are. I am
11 yrs out...and I succeeded my goal....and have maintained it all these
years. Sure I eat carbs.....but by taking baby steps I made the change from
unhealthy carbs to healthy carbs.....white pasta to whole wheat, white rice
to brown, white bread to whole wheat, more veggies....less
potatoes/corn...etc. It doesn't happen overnight but by trying....not
giving up....and having good support....it will come w/ time. You have an
addiction as hard to kick as smoking and drugs. Read up on carb
addiction....it will make a lot of sense to you. Just like
nicotine....your body CRAVES and NEEDS carbs. You have to work at breaking
that addiction. Do I still crave carbs....yes...just like a previous
drinker covets a drink.....do I "fall off the
wagon".....sometimes.....it is a lifestyle change that you have to
make for a lifetime.....but it can be done. They fixed your stomach....now
you have to work to fix your addiction to foods. Good luck...hang in
there....and great job on those first 30 lbs. Wish you the best of luck!
— jamiedaugherty
October 12, 2008
I joined Take off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) in my area because it is
inexpensive. Just to let you know, I was cautioned about about telling
them of my WLS by the psychriatrist at the hospital. She said that it was
best to join WW but not to mention the surgery. I am having a similiar
problem as you and I am thinking about seeing a psychriatrist here but my
insurance does a poor job of covering it. I need more help than the support
group. Last night, one of the people at TOPS called me at home to check on
me. The lastest issue of TOPS magazine had before and after pictures and
she asked me if I saw them. Caring for another person enough to call is
supportive.
— candlecat
October 12, 2008
http://www.sparkpeople.com this is a great place, you join the group that
intrest you like quilting or something else. they all have had the bypass,
or band. Try it out and you'll see how great they are. I'm MsTweety49 there
some visit me, GOD BLESS
O by the way they have nutriciy and exercise tracker to help recipes too so
try it YOU"LL like it.
— LBowker
October 13, 2008
— Lisa C.
October 13, 2008
Hi Janice, I can *certainly* identify with your dilemma. I am only 1 month
post-op [lap band] and have trouble *all the time* with cravings. I have
not always given in, but it's a VERY lonely place to be - faced with that
... whatever it is. Weight Watchers is prohibitive for me because of cost
... let me look at your next email. Would you become a "Friend"?
I'm not sure how to do this yet - I'll fiddle around the site to see if I
can figure it out - I am WITH YOU ... keep plugging!! -Barbara W. [aka,
Oakroom]
— oakroom
October 13, 2008
I'm not sure, but, I have heard that Weight Watchers has negative attitudes
towards us surgery peeps. You should just try to find a support group, for
us, in your area. Good Luck
— Kelly T.
October 13, 2008
I say do whatever it takes! I have not had my surgery yet but I am going
to do all the things that are suggested, such as writing down my food,
sticking to the suggested foods and exercising daily. WLS is just a tool,
not the solution. I personlly don't even want any sugar to get near my
lips as that is my addiction. I've heard about people that have surgery
and don't lose or regain their weight. I don't want to be on that list.
I wish you all the best. Stay positive, you are making big changes in your
life and breaking old habits can be hard to do.
BBBig Sister
Southern California
— BBBigSister
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