Been awhile..

....Since I peeked in
I have read all the wonderful postive happy posts, all the nerve wracking posts, the fear, not knowing..just voiceing to each other and of course the support to each other. I luv reading how you are all overcoming what fears you, your success in this battle and journey is very inspiring.

I have been going thru my own issues, as we all do in life..but I find as always,
I turn to food.
Until I feel ill
gorge, gorge, gorge
.I hate .myself for it. The hate lasts many hours afterwards. 

Food is an addictive force for me. As many things. I wonder if it is even worth me going for surgery. Will it help me..help myself?

Yes, I have gone to therapy, have gone thru all the, "it's not what your eating, but what's eating you" talks.

It does'nt stop..it just goes on. Although, when I do eat healthy..as in watch my carbs..lotsd of protein, healthy foods. I do not eat in binge moods. Maybe there is an addiction to carbs that feeds me to go in binge mode? Or sugar? I have never really had a normal typical relationship with food, hmmm,

or maybe I need to see about addiuction in food support group, and the surgery. Or..kick myself in the butt and eat healthy.

Do others have this issue with food? Should I bother with the surgery?
Will it help ?

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Hello Karen! It has been a while

Issues with food: expect for the one time, I have found that the surgery has really helped me with the bingeing (sp?). I used to get really bad cravings for sweets and breads (cakes) and pastas. I have found since surgery that if I am craving anything it is sweets and it is only during that time of month and 1 hersey kiss per day does the trick. I am very satisfied eating the small amounts of food that it amazes me. I used to eat a lot of potatos and pasta, I havent touched pasta since surgery and only have had a few potatos that I steal off my hubbby's plate when we are out for breakfast and he is having pan fries. I do worry a little, but not much, about my food addictions when a year or so has passed and I can eat more. I am thinking that I am going to sign up for TOPS just to have the weekly meetings and accountability. I love that I got the surgery and I would NOT change it for anything. I feel like it has saved my life. Good luck with your decision.

Mich

Hi Michelle,

I keep re-reading the line of "one hersey kiss per day" does the trick. I can not imagine that at all! ..pass the bag please!

..But it gives me hope. Almost like a wish hope to look forward too!

Yes, I have thought that is one thing I might find helpful is to go to a group like overeaters after wards. To keep me on track.

hmmm, maybe something from this group could be started. ALthought I suppose there is already.

Thankyou so much for your input. I appreciate it throughly!

Hi Karen!

I was definitely a food adict prior to surgery. Now, my life has changed so much. I finally know what it is like to have a normal person's appetite.

Don't get me wrong. I still have food cravings & sometimes indulge in foods that I shouldn't but there are two big differences!
1. I can no longer eat the large amounts I used to eat. So, even when I am "pigging out" on something, there is only so far I can go. My pouch tells me when I have to stop.  Now, I am satisfied with small portions. I never knew what it was like to be satisfied before. Now, I have a side-plate of food & I am stuffed. I stay full until it is time for my next meal in 3-4 hours
2. I now feel sick after consuming anything with high fat or high sugar content. So, I can only enjoy a few chips or a small piece of chocolate. Anything else makes me sick & it is just not worth it!.

One of my biggest fears was that I would feel down & depressed all of the time because of what I could not eat. I don't feel that way at all. On occassion, I wish I could eat more, but heck, I felt that way prior to surgery! Prior to surgery, no amount of food was ever enough. Now, one small plate of food is more than enough. I am satisfied & I am not obsessed about eating all the time. It is wonderful. I really feel like I have my life back.

I hope other people write in, because I know everyone is different.
From my point of view, the surgery really did help me fix my food obsession!

Tanya

Hi Tanya,

You hit it on the nose for me! " I finally know what it is like to have a normal person's appetite. "

What is that even?? I so want to know. SO with this surgery, you found what that is. That is very encouraging.

When I try to talk to a very good friend about what this is to me. She does not get it. She says,

Oh, I know..I get like that. I have bread after eating, or have another helping when I'm had enough. It's not like that, it is non stop, like a rage, a true binge, it scares me the control food has.

To have that feeling of fullnes and not eat more, is a dream to me.

Thankyou for taking the time to reply, you have helped nd encouraged me so much.

Karen you are definately NOT ALONE.  I have had dark, dark episodes with food addiction.  I know since my surgery, I can control those binges.  Not to say they are not there, because at times they are, but I control the food, the food does not control me.  This place of satisfaction takes some time to get to, and there is a heck of self revelation that goes along with it!  I would suggest you really consider the surgery and keep up with the counselling. I echo Michelles response, "it saved my life". 
Take care and I wish you peace my friend!

Hi Mrs. Jackatar,

Now, I have tears..yes, the dark, dark episodes with food binges just plagues on me. I love that you control the food now, the food does not control you. I so want that.

Thankyou kindly for your words of encourgment..it means more then you know.


Thankyou all so much for your support. I am more than grateful for the  hope you have renewed within me.

Karen

Karenanne, I was right there with you over a year ago with non stop eating. The more I ate the more depressed and secluded I become . The self hatred was horrible! I soon started packing pound on top of pound, until I finally became so ill that I had to make life long changes in order to survive. I developed high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and chronic back problems. So the writing was on the wall as it gets for all of us over weight folks at some point. I knew I had to start making changes, so I joined weigh****chers on line. I lost 60lbs on my own and good things started happening. The depression was lifted because I was in control for the first time not the food. That's the first step taking back the control. Once you start feeling better and really start to care more about your health your on your way to good things. The overeating caused all my problems! I had the VSG surgery to maintain the weight loss and to continue losing weight. You won't be able to eat the same afterward, but trust me when I say It's truly wonderful eating normal. That stuffed feeling happens for me with 2oz of food! When I was at my heaviest I never felt full EVER! I expressed that to Dr. Andrews. So there's the first good thing with the surgery Your going to feel full for the first time, and you know what? I'm satisfied 100% of the time. The are sometimes when I graze through out the day. PMS. But am still careful on choices. There is not one day in the last 3 weeks that I have asked myself why I had the surgery. I'm 5wks out today and have no regrets at all. Your mind still plays tricks on you and yes the cravings are still there. But as long as we maintain strength and control we can beat obesity. It's tough some days, but this is my battle and I'm going to win! And you know what? Your going to win too! Always remember slow and steady wins the race. I didn't gain this weight overnight I'm sure  the heck not going to lose it overnight either. I'm in no hurry to win, but I know with the right attitude and frame of mind I'm already half way there. All the best to you! You can do this! ~Cheryl

Oh yes, the chronice back aches, depression, loss of control in food, high bp..all these lovely things that go with being obese.

I am so happy to hear you have overcome your battle..I know there will always be struggles..but
 to have more "normal" struggles would be a blessing!

Thankyou for you reply..I am feeling more positive about this.

All the best to you too Cheryl!!!

The reality is you can not gorge.  Your new stomic will be about 1/4 of a cup.  Anymore and you will vomit. 

I was one of those people who ate a huge portion of food before the surgery (only had it a month ago).  I do still find that if I see a rack of ribs on tv I think mmmm that would be good, but for some reason my taste has changed.  I tried a bite of sausage and it did not really do anything for me.  Basically now when I eat, I think does that have protien.  I think it is totally weird how your taste for food changes.  You see I dont feel any hunger at all.  I mostly eat because I know I should have something!  Somedays I miss meals and dont realize it til 2 or 3 hours after when I should have eaten.  I used to be all about the chicken wings and burgers and now I can even imagine eating one.

I dont know if this is the same for everyone but for me, I have lost intrest in food.  I know just think of food as fuel.  That does not mean I dont think about food, I find I make it, then I put it in the fridge and dont eat it (this frustrates my family to no end!)

Personally, I have found this to be a great way of portion controll as well I know think about what I eat.  You only have to go through a dumping session one time before you write a food off for life,lol.

Good luck.