WLS and Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder

[AGreenEyedWolf 97]

I am 8 months post -op from VSG surgery. I have been struggling to continue losing weight for the last 2+ months. My Binge Eating Disorder is flaring up (I have issues with night eating as well) and to top it off, I have Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder and take Seroquel to manage my symptoms. I cannot function without my meds - but the meds make me crave carbs... which is one Hell of a sucky side effect for someone with Binge Eating Disorder and manic phases, let em tell you!

I have lost 48 pounds and 27 inches - but I have been at a standstill (neither gaining nor losing) for over 2 months and I know now it is because of my eating habits. I still avoid Pasta, rice, sodas, juices, etc and even most breads - and I do not eat cakes or pies or things like that - but I do find myself sneaking in a cookie or a biscuit or a piece of toast once in awhile when I know I shouldn't - drinking sweet tea made with sugar instead of splenda from time to time - or sneaking ice cream straight from the carton at 3 am or when I am feeling emotional or stressed out. I am also really struggling to eat slowly be mindful when I eat and to eat at regular intervals like I was before - sometimes I feel I am constantly snacking instead. Does anyone else have the same illnesses? Are you facing similar issues? And if so what are you doing to get back on track?

[Berry78 4,261]

I haven't had these challenges, but I'm impressed by how well you are handling yourself! Asking for ideas.. that's very good! Hopefully you can get some good advise.

Here is mine:

First off, food that has no nutritive value needs to get out of your house. Broadly, this is anything that has sugar or white flour. Having to leave the house to go get junk food is a natural barrier.

The second thing is to try and create a set of rules that gives you permission to indulge. Just a little, and so it can fit into your calorie budget.

For example: I made room in my day for a healthy carb. It can be fruit or a potato or Ezekial bread. Serving size is important.. whatever gives me 15 net grams of carbs.

I also can have cake and/or ice cream. But it has to be at a birthday party. Thanksgiving: pumpkin pie, etc etc.

The word "sneaking" is funny.. because you can't hide from yourself, and this is YOUR journey.

[Hugs]

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

I know when you are bi-polar with manic phases impulse control is really hard. I have a friend that suffers from bi-polar and when she is in a manic episode she is impossible to reason with.

The best thing you can do is have good options available because I am not really sure you can fight the urges in a manic episode.

Replace everything with sugar free and Protein options. Like I have chocolate when I am on my period but it is sweetened with Stevia, hard to get and not cheap. That prevents me from eating too much but also, even if I eat a whole bar, it is not the end of the world (I don't I eat a proper serving).

You just have to learn to work with yourself and your limitations instead of against them.

Also with a BMI of 29, if that is accurate. Every pound you lose at this point is going to be a hard one. that is just how it goes the close you are to a normal BMI.

[voluminousdoofus 5]

I think @OutsideMatchInside has the best advice going, but here's what works for me:

I have some emotional eating issues, and what I found worked best was having a little ritual for eating. I sit carefully, I use plates and forks, napkins, it's set nice. If I'm having a bad day and I'm tempted by bad choices, I light some candles for myself.

I live with a roommate so I can't ensure that there are no bad foods around, but I make sure that I have my "cheat" available-- sugar free popsicles, in tropical flavors. I also make sure that my Protein Shakes are flavors I enjoy (chocolate mint, mostly, and a horchata flavored one that I doctor myself), and that my healthy food is also tasty.

I've also changed my stress habits-- instead of eating something, I DND my phone and go for a walk with a podcast or an audio book, or go to the gym.

I don't know if any of this will help you, but I hope it will! If nothing else, remember that you made the choice to do the surgery because you wanted to be healthy-- keep that choice in mind as much as you can.

[gotime0810 71]

I have depressive bipolar disorder. I do cycle but it is not rapid and my lows are extremely low and my highs are probably on par with what a "normal" person usually feels like.
I did take Seroquil and gained about 20 pounds in no time at all so I get the cravings. I didn't take it for long because my liver was not a fan.
When I'm low I don't just crave carbs I feel like I NEED carbs. I'm only 4 weeks out so I'm just starting to deal with this. When I hit my first low after surgery I was on full liquids so I didn't have a choice but to tough it out. It sucked and I wasn't the most pleasant person to be around.
I agree with keeping the bad stuff out of the house but I also recognize that walking on hot coals to a store is a real option when you get to "that place". My personal plan of attack would be to identify the foods you run to and try to find a healthier alternative. Like is there a healthier ice cream you could turn to? Is there a lower carb bread or biscuit alternative? Maybe there are some recipes you can experiment with to make your own, healthier food to satisfy the cravings. The main key will be to keep within your portions and calories. I know for me feeling guilty about my choices creates a viscous cycle.
We had this surgery to help make our bodies healthier and to have a healthier lifestyle for ourselves. Your life includes rapid cycling bipolar disorder and no amount of proper nutrition is going to make that go away. So your lifestyle change has to accommodate that reality.
So take a step back, be proud of your victories and make a plan. Set an alarm on your phone to help you eat at regular intervals. Set a twenty minute timer when you eat. Eat with your eyes closed to really focus on the flavor of your food. Count to twenty before swallowing. Say the ABC song between bites. When the timer goes off put away the food. Don't keep food in a visible place, out of sight out of mind. Experiment with different flavored tea. I have a tea maker and put the stevia in when the hot Water pours in to make it seem more like real sweet tea.
When I am in a high phase I get the urge to be crafty. It helps distract me and I make stuff that makes me feel good. When I'm stressed I try to do some meditation. There are several apps you can download that provide guided meditations (basically deep breathing exercises). This helps ground me and allows me to think again. I'm also trying to get in the habit of working out regularly to keep those "happy" endorphins flowing.
Not sure if this a saying, but make the plan and work the plan. If you can do that then you will reach the goal. For me personally, my goal isn't really centered around a number on my scale. I want to have a body I can be happy to look at and I want to achieve a healthier way of living. You can do this, just adapt and move forward.

[gotime0810 71]

http://yonanas.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsv3o2_ea1gIVhLfACh0kPg7bEAAYASAAEgL7m_D_BwE

[AGreenEyedWolf 97]

gotime0810 I also like to get crafty so I like that idea for a distraction... and I do try - but sometimes it's not enough :-P I also like your timer idea - maybe I will give that a try :-)

Berry78 it is hard not to have things I want to avoid int he house when my husband and son want to eat them and don't seem to appreciate the lifestyle changes I am trying to make - my husband and I actually had an argument recently because we planned to go out to eat - and I wanted a sit-down restaurant - but he let our 9 year old choose the location and of course he wanted McDonald's - where my choices are very limited because I don't eat bread or ground beef. He actually said that I shouldn't have had surgery because now I want to eat healthier and it limits THEIR choices - he has no idea... if we go out, 9 times out of 10 they get what they want and I have to watch them eat and then eat something myself when we get back home - so keeping temptations out of the house isn't going to happen for me :-(

volumionousdoofus I love sugar free tropical popsicles - I am trying to steer myself back to them instead of other things when I need to tame my sweet tooth

outsidematchinside yes that is correct for my BMI so I know these last 20-some pounds will be harder to lose - maybe that is why it's so easy to fall into bad habits :-P