Eating Issues

HELP!! My head is still trying to rule!! I'm 20 days post-op and doing well. Everything is healed up and I'm starting to work out regularily and get in my protein and water in pretty well. I still get tired easily and take naps as needed....but...I want to eat, eat, eat!!! I thought I had this problem licked BEFORE my surgery ever started. I was attending group and individual counseling to address my old eating needs and habits. But, now that I'm eating (and tolerating) "real" food, I want to fall back into those old habits! My desire to eat used to fall to control issues (or lack of) and stressful situations...but what's happenning now??? I take small portions and put them on a saucer (like I was taught) and stop eating there but just knowing there is more food available gets my head craving more. I feel full and satisfied but I just want to eat more!! I try to do things to keep my mind off of food, like working out, walking, and keeping busy...but it doesn't help much. Someone, please tell me this is normal AND what to do about it??

You're still very early post op - and you have to deal with these types of things. Thinking you have the eating disorder licked - I certainly thought I wouldn't have a problem but I did. You have to take the time now to make a concerted effort to choose the right food, then it will become second nature to eat healthier. You're normal.....at least I think you are!!! Your reactions make you realize they operated on your stomach and not your brain!!!

Hi Cindy I am sorry to hear you are having problems, but believe me, what you are going thru is normal. Unfortunately this wonderful tool doens't include your mind. That will probably be a battle for some time, if not always. I don't mean that to sound discouraging, but like any addicition you are not "cured" one day, you just learn how to cope with it & channel your energies differently. It sounds like you are on a positive track by keeping busy. I still have to deal with food demons, but I have found that it isn't an every day battle anymore. I was a bad stress eater prior to surgery & even today I find there are days that my head tells me it would be great to put the feed bag on & drown the stress & sorrow out. I, like you, have to really work on focusing on something different. I usually try to exercise and just recently am trying to condition myself for running because I find once I am done with a brisk jog I am no longer "head hungry". I am also an avid believer in not keeping anything in my house that might be tempting. I know everyone can't do that with families and all, but maybe just keep it as limited as possible and have healthy things around if you get an overwhelming urge. Well, I hope that helps some. You will be fine, just keep up the good work & keep fighting. All the best to you & God bless Angel

I am going through the same thing and I'm almost 6 months out. I'm beginning to recoginize my "trigger" foods and be careful about them. I still have problems eating too much, not usually to the point of illness (though I did do that over Christmas a couple of times), but I know I need to be more careful and mindful of what I eat. I've also began drinking soda again, usually one a day. I have a list a mile long of things I'm doing wrong, but per my therapist I try not to be too hard on myself and address issues one at a time. I know you mentioned you'd been in counseling before surgery, but are you still going? I know I'll need it for a long time to come, it helps so much! Kelle

My mind always tells me to snack. The only way I can deal with it especially at work it to chew gum, it helps; if you do chew gum, make sure you throw it away, don't swallow it, it can block you pouch. It helps me. I find myself going to the frig every night, look in, then I close the door, I am 7 weeks post-op and have lost 40 lbs since surgery date. Feel great; however, my mind too always says feed me. Its habit thats all, next week I'll start exercising again so that will take my mind off of food. Hope this helps. Have a happy new year!