Working full time with emotional distress

[LSherritt 7]

I am just getting started with day one of a 6 month diet pre op and I am wondering how people have handled work and the added stress. I work sometimes 50 hours a week I'm a start up tech company that is high stress and I only get 5 sick days per year. I am worried as I alternate between protien and liquid diet weeks that my blood sugar or digestive issues are going to cause me issues and set me back. I am trying not to look at it as impossible but my performance can't falter because of personal issues. I am wondering how others have handed work and leave and such.

[Learningtolive 109]

I don't have no alternating Protein and liquid days, so no experience with that. But I work in a high stress environment (I'm a psych nurse) and I just take it a day at a time, that's really all you can do. When you feel low, you have to find your own way to compensate, like a mantra to keep you going. I just started my pre-op diet a week ago which is Atkins or Paleo like according to my doctor, the first few days I was exhausted but I told myself it would pass and just kept going.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

One of the keys to success of this process is to find ways to cope with stress without resorting to food. As a stress eater, I have spent a lifetime dealing with this issue.

It's a learning process. Ultimately, it comes down to making choices and setting boundaries for me.

Some tools and resources that you may need to consider using:

a good therapist or counselor;

a support group like a bariatric support group and/or a twelve-step recovery group like OA (OA.org);

regular exercise;

a spiritual practice;

etc. I am sure others can give you some ideas.

A few good books I recommend regularly (some related to WLS specifically and some not):

The One Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud (about integrating work and life, setting boundaries, etc.). I can't recommend it highly enough to someone in your situation.

Eat it Up! (written by a therapist who works with WLS patients).

The Language of Letting Go (by Melodie Beattie).

When food is Love (by Geneen Roth).

In addition to regular exercise, I have found that finding a creative outlet is very important to me. Whether it's as simple as coloring in a coloring book, taking a painting class, writing, or practicing my photography. Creativity is a great outlet for stress for me. You may need to experiment to find what you need.

As another poster mentioned, you will need to learn to take it a day at a time a live in the moment.

Best of luck with your journey and keep us posted on how you are doing.