happy eater and panic attacks

Hi, my first appointment is Nov. 20. received first approval. My problem is that I don't always eat because I'm hungry..who does. We wouldn't be in this shape if we did. I am a happy eater. The furthest thing from my mind is eating when I'm stressed or upset. I eat when things are good. I suffer from general anxiety and panic attacks, since 2003. I'm on meds. Before I was diagnosed I lost about 30 pounds because I was too tore up for 2 months. I started the meds and gained it back plus a lot more. It was such a terrible time, that I remember my co workers saying how good I looked and all I could think of was that I'd gladly take the weight back to not feel that way. MISERABLE!! I worry about slipping back, but I also worry because I eat because Im addicted to food. It's like my alcohol or drugs. Mine is sugar and bread. Help! Any advice or anyone with the same problem and how did you deal with it.????

Hey Lorrie, addiction is a hard thing. Hopefully you are or have met with a psychologist that will give you training on how to cope. The other thing to look at is these foods can make you violently ill. I am 13mths out and choose not to eat bread pasta, or rice. These are my down falls. Dumping is no fun and the thought of that happening should steer you clear. I can eat them I choose not to. I do a bite here or there but that is it. Hopefully this is a new habit i have formed. But i recommend you work closely with your psychologist. The program I went thru we all saw a psychologist. Good Luck

I know your pain. My eating problem was mainly boredom. When I got bored I would eat and not even realise it. I also had an addiction to bread and potatoes and cheese. Eating is an addiction it is hard to stop. Now that I have had my surgery and I really watch everything I take in I don't even ardly ever even feel hungry. I was told that I would have loss of appitite but alot of the time its pretty much down to nothing. I have to remember to eat and make myself do it. I can tell you that my eating habits have changed so much and I don't just sit and eat anymore. I alwyas have a bottle of water on hand to drink in case I have a very rare craving. Heck I don't even find McD's appitizing anymore and I used to love that place. It does get better. Try to find other things to do to take your mind off food. I play games at pogo, or with my son. We love to play gamecube together lol. I also alwyas have a book nearby to read or some sort of something to keep my hands busy and take my mind off of food. Sounds silly but it helped me to lose a lilttle weight before my surgery since I had gained a bunch before. Good luck hun!

Hi Lorrie................i am addicted to food and i always will be,i use it to calm my nerves and my fears and since i have had surgery i still have days that i eat junk,i try so hard. I knew this was going to be a struggle and always will be, i have cried over cake lol,because i dump off it and cant have it,but then i go look in the mirror and say vickie get it together!!! I was a size 24 now a 4 and i am happy,i have bad days but more good than bad. This is just a tool and i have learned who the boss is lol.......im not anymore!!! Just take it one day at a time and you will succeed, its a long journey, i wont lie,but its one that has taught me to live and love myself!!!!!!!!!!!!! vickie

Lorrie, It's really good that you're questioning this issue before you have the surgery. So many people just do what they can to jump through pre-surgery hoops, without really taking a hard core look into what this surgery means for the rest of their lives. When I had my psychiatric evaluation for the surgery, this issue was raised and addressed. I was given a list of therapist that specialize, or are familiar with bariatric surgery and eating disorders, to call so that why I eat could be looked into. After surgery, (the RNY) our bodies are not able to just go and eat like they were before. If you were to eat any bread or sugar, your going ot get sick, and I do mean sick! That is a good deterrance from eating things that aren't good for you; trust me. My biggest fear was that I would crave sweets all the time and not be able to control my urge to have them. I am very fortunate that there is a rich, chocolatety, hot chocolate protein drink out there that has helped with any sweet cravings. But, I'm also finding out that I don't crave sweets much at all. I read an article online that stated taking in a large amount of protein in your diet inhibits the sweet tooth. It must be true, because I don't have it. Also, for me, it's about a commitment to obtaining a life that I want. When the head hunger strikes me, I fight it with reminders that I want to do certain things in my life, that being obese doesn't let me. I'm tired, it's late, but I hope that I'm making sense. It's not easy, but it is better than before. I did have *withdrawls* right after surgery and even asked my surgeon about it, because it was kinda of jarring having shakes and what felt like low blood sugars right after I just ate a meal. These symptoms made me want to jump right into a binge, but my mind was made up not to give in. I haven't had any withdrawl like symptoms in weeks and I wouldn't want to do anything to mess up a brave step into the unknown. I'm a coward and doing this surgery was a big step for me, so, I'm going to do what it takes to make this tool work for me. I think I will sleep and then come back to this, but I hope that you get the gyst of what I'm trying to say. (write) Take care-- Dee

Lorrie, You know I was the same way. I have ben having panic and anxiety attacks for a few years now and Im on meds. But after you have wls or in my case rny. You really dont want anything very often and when you do take a pinch and your fine. And when it does make you sick, you wont want it for a while. Its amazing how differant things are after having wls. And Im only 2 months post op and -50 lbs, I cant wait to see whats next. Good Luck...