Question of the day (or weekend maybe) - Saturday

Okay, here's a deep one: Did you stress-eat before your surgery, and how have you transformed your stress eating into more positive (or, even different) directions? Did anything specific help you in this change? And my answer, after continued work on this. I'm still working through some of Teri Kai Holzclaw's books on this issue as well as a lot of the other resources that deal with work on the 'head' end of the surgery instead of the physical side; it's still a big issue for me, as the level of stress in my personal and professional life rise, I find myself reaching for the dreaded snacks. Its not so much that snacks are pure evil in and of themselves.. I find my pouchie getting really upset with me if I don't put SOMETHING in it at least every 5-6 hours, and it doesn't necessarily have to be much. I try to redirect it to 'positive' snacks like peanuts or pistachios, or even beef jerky if it's (the pouch) not too mad at me. I know I'm stress eating less.. I'm not sure however that the redirection (mostly internalization) has yet to transform into a positive one. Someday, they'll be able to do the surgery on the mind (lol) as well as the stomach; until then, all we can do is identify the issues, work on and through them, and try to hit both our physical, mental and emotional goals, hopefully hitting them all and reaching the ultimate finish line of not winding up where we started. I know that I have transformed some of the stress into assertiveness - I'm much less willing to let people walk all over me at work or even in my extended family than I was, and also, in many cases but not all, will speak up if I disagree with something. Especially at work, this doesn't mean I won't do what I'm told to do, but if I don't agree, I will tell them that I don't agree or think it's a bad idea and why. This is some of what I used to do, but it's amplified a little more; maybe because of the increased stress, maybe some redirection of the eating stress; not 100% sure. How about everyone else? I know I'm not unique in this (from discussions with the local face-to-face and local-online WLS groups), but I also know it's not an issue with everyone.. ...Nick

I was a complete stress/emotional eater before surgery and to an extent I still use food to deal with stress and emotional situations. Only now I find myself not wanting to eat if I am really stressed out or really upset about something. My big problem now is at work I eat to stay awake! Crunching on something prevents me from falling asleep while I am doing my work @ work and I do it even when I am not hungry. I am trying to find something else to work the same magic but so far nothing is helping. I still dont deal well with stress but its a slow process and I am getting better about it. sarah

I still eat from stress, but it seems I have less *real* stress than I use to. I do have every day stress with my children and such. I also find that I will eat out of boredom. I have trouble with the munchies too, and I'm having to deal with that. I have a hard time keeping healthy snacks for me in the house. I have to eat something every couple of hours too. I'm going through some hormonal things, so I can't tell if it is a stage in my post op journey, or if it is the hormones. I started having the munchies a few weeks after my first injection. I will always have to work on this head. Debbie

Nick, Great question. Thanks for posting. I pretty much felt that I had my eating under control. Then about 2 months ago things got very hectic as my mom's health declined and we needed to up the move to AZ for her. Then just before moving here (like 2 days before) she got very sick and then passed away 3 days later. As a result I found myself totally stressed, down in the dumps, and no longer in control. I found myself grazing and also craving higher carb items. BUT I also saw what was happening and have been working to turn it around. The old me would of gone with the eating and let it excalate. So altho I still see/experience the emotional eating, I'm in a better state to work around it. Mary

Great question, Nick. I was and still am a stress/emotional eater. Would you mind sharing the names of resources that you have found helpful as I too need to work on this problem (as well as several other problem behaviors)? I simply cannot have snack type foods around the house. Even without "bad snacks" I can take a "good snack" and make a big problem of it. I have not had any candy, chips, ice cream, etc. since surgery. But, I became hooked on different foods throughout the last year. I can no longer buy power crunch bars in french vanilla because I was eating 3-5 bars a day. Now it is cereal, the Go Lean Crunch. I cannot limit myself and have eaten a box in 2 days. It is a daily struggle. My mom died 2 months ago and I have been greatly stressed since then. I do find that I am not out of control, just not making good food choices. Since I made goal 11 weeks ago, I have been able to actually lose 5 pounds. I never could have done that before. This site is so soothing to me -knowing others have similar problems, sharing, learning, and supporting. You are so right that we can only work through our problems and try to identify new coping methods. 11 weeks ago I was terrified that I couldn't maintain the 179 pound loss -I never had before. But, I am doing ok and pray that I not ever get back to square one. It takes a total conscious commitment meal by meal for me. I'm afraid I am still somewhat passive. It's great you have become more assertive. Hopefully, as I work on my head that I will be more assertive as well. I do notice though, I have become a strong self health care advocate. I insist on the special care that we need, ie. dexascan yearly, comprehensive labs including vitamins every 6 months or sooner if needed. My pcp isn't very knowledgeable on caring for wls patients (she has 3). I have learned so much researching that I educate her too. She's grown to appreciate it (I think!!!). So, Nick great question. It made me think, and I am ready to get started to work on my head!!! Sorry I rambled on so. Best wishes, Paula

Great question, Nick. I don't think I overate because of stress before the surgery. My body seems to cope with stress with headaches. I was diagnosed with this problem probably 20 years ago and take daily prescribed medication to keep me from having these headaches. My doctor told me that the headaches are my body's way of dealing with stress. With that said, I did tend to eat when bored, and still want to do this to this day. My problem was (and still is sometimes) snacking. I would never eat big meals, but would snack all the time. I grew up with a snack cabinet in the house. My mother always had snacks handy (and she probably weighed 125 at her heaviest). I notice that both my brother and sister tend to snack also. For some strange reason, I don't want what I used to want before surgery. Chips and dip just don't taste as good anymore. I don't know if its psychological or if my tastes have actually changed. So, as you can probably see, this surgery was perfect for me. I get to eat 5 small meals a day. Right up my alley! Its great that you have become more assertive. You are probably more comfortable with yourself now. If you use this assertiveness in the correct way, it can be a very positive thing, especially at work. Wanda