binge eating disorder and RNY

Hi all. I have had BED for many years. The health consequences are not worth it. Specifically, did anything help you throughout this whole process. My insurance isn't covering the surgery, yet I am exploring other options. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

The first year after surgery you physically can't binge. You would be in excruciating pain. Having said that there are people who force down the food and stretch their pouch. Having therapy sessions before surgery is helpful to find out why we use food as our drug, what are we trying to numb or not deal with.
I think binge eating is like alcoholism, the farther apart the episodes the better. RNY helps you take a break (for about a year) from binge eating and restarts your system. But if problems that made you binge before persist, people are known to go back numbing themselves with food.
In short, surgery is not a miracle. They work on your stomach nof not your head. You gotta fix the head to have some success. The struggle continues but it's more manageable once you lost the weight. That's why I equate it to alcoholism, you are never cured, you just keep it under control and the surgery is a helping hand.
Good luck!

Thank you. I think being required to eat such small portions would be a godsend. I know it is the mental work that aides a person in a healthy lifestyle.

I was wondering if anyone out there has had BED? Is there anything different would you do over again if you had to prepare for the surgery?

I like that you may have dumping, bust the pouch, or die from overeating. At this point, I need those negative consequences. It takes 5 years of abstinence, to be in recovery.

I haven't been diagnosed with BED, but I had my shares of binge eating before surgery and honestly even now sometimes I go over board, in my head that's still bingeing.
But please don't go into this thinking dumping or any other ailment will prevent you from bingeing. I suffered from dumping for the first 3-3.5 years but I noticed recently I'm no longer dumping (I'm almost 5 years out). And let's hope you don't start this process with the idea to bust your pouch or die from eating. It's a tool, very helpful tool, but YOU need to put the work in and fix what is in your head/heart.
Also, what whitedove said about transfer addiction is very true. Some people do transfer their food addiction to alcohol, shopping, sex, etc. People with addictive personalities need to get their fix somehow, in the past it was food now they need a replacement. Doesn't happen to everybody but there is a good percentage. Here is just one article about transfer addiction.
Again, please go into this with your eyes wide open; do your research and seek therapy BEFORE surgery.

It doesn't change your mindset and even eating "less" you can work around your tool. I've been watching a series on discovery plus and the lady is doing just that.

also, as an addiction it is very easy to eat around your tool or trade one addiction for another.

I have a friend who had surgery then was prescribed Vyvanse for her BED and that helped her. Not all doctors will do that

Which series is this? Seems interesting.

Which series is this? Seems interesting.

I believe she is referring to My 600 Pound Life. I know some of the people last season were getting reversals. Should be interesting to watch how they are doing this season.

Just as Shelia mentioned, this is a disease like alcoholism. The only people I have ever known who got sober did it by working a 12-step program. Overeaters Anonymous exists for that reason. I would suggest finding a therapist who specializes in BED, alcoholism, and other addictions. I know one who is excellent. She combines therapy with medication. She also requires her patients to attend Overeater's Anonymous. Anyone can think they are cured, but will quickly fall back into the addiction if they do not continue to work their program.

As you have an addictive personality, drinking and smoking can also be problems. It is pretty common for weight loss surgery patients to substitute other addictions like alcohol, gambling, shopping, illegal drugs, or sex for the eating that they can no longer do after surgery. You need surgery, therapy, medication, and a 12-step program. It will be a lifelong struggle, but you can do it.

I struggled with BED for years (decades). I had SADI-S/SIPS surgery December 8, 2021, but I instinctively knew that I should get treatment for the eating disorder (and the depression and inability to feel my feelings that drove it) before I had bariatric surgery. I feared (knew) I would just binge as soon as I was physically be able to again, and I would be right back where I had started but probably malnourished to boot.

It was a long, complex, difficult - and amazing - journey to learn to accept my body, feel my feelings (with the help of a great therapist), and to find a healthier relationship with food. Intuitive eating was a big part of my journey. I had always told myself that if I could come to a place of peace with food, I wouldn't need surgery. But ultimately I had health issues that were beginning to pile up that made me decide to use it as a tool to get some of the excess weight that was left from my years of binge eating off more quickly. It is no joke, and anyone who ever calls it "the easy way" is showing their ignorance. I'm still in progress, but I will say two things: 1) I am glad I made the decision to have the surgery, and 2) I am SOOOOO grateful I waited until AFTER I had healed the eating disorder to have it.

I really encourage you to seek out treatment for your eating disorder (or diagnosis if you haven't already had that) if you have not already done so, because the surgery will not heal that - or whatever is driving it. It is SO tempting when you are looking for solutions. But I have watched others I know have surgery before the healing, and every one of them has regained their weight after because what drove the binges was still there waiting after the immediate weight loss/restriction passed.

I'm sending you my best wishes and lots of love for your journey, wherever it leads you. It is not an easy one, but it is SO worth it. I've learned so much about myself and finally feel able to have a more loving, healthy and kind relationship with my body that honors it as the vessel to carry me around thru this life.