Overeaters Anonymous

jastypes
on 4/2/15 5:25 am - Croydon, PA

This is the program I work to maintain my weight loss.  I love their definition of abstinence. 

Abstinence in OA is the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight.  Spiritual, emotional and physical recovery is the result of living the OA 12-Step program.


Blessings, Jill

WLS 5/31/07.  Maintaining a weight loss of 141 pounds and feeling amazing!

Phyllispil
on 4/2/15 6:33 am - Charlotte, NC
RNY on 02/16/15

Hi Jill,

I have not been to OA in many years.  Perhaps this would be a good time to look for a meeting in my area.  Not overeating now as I am only 6 weeks post op.  I completed much counseling before surgery and know it is important for me to have ongoing support.  Thanks for sharing.

Phyllis

    

HW 360, SW 332, Surg W 281, Goal 160    

Gwen M.
on 4/2/15 7:29 am
VSG on 03/13/14

I've recently read about the science of AA and I wonder if OA has the same issues?  

http://www.salon.com/2014/03/23/the_pseudo_science_of_alcoho lics_anonymous_theres_a_better_way_to_treat_addiction/

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

GeekMonster, Insolent Hag
on 4/2/15 8:58 am - CA
VSG on 12/19/13

Great article, Gwen.  I've thought about attending OA meetings, but I have ideological challenges with the 12 steps.

 

"Oderint Dum Metuant"    Discover the joys of the Five Day Meat Test!

Height:  5'-7"  HW: 449  SW: 392  GW: 179  CW: 220

Gwen M.
on 4/4/15 5:55 am
VSG on 03/13/14

The science and research that's coming out is pretty fascinating.  As they say, the plural of anecdote is not data!  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

jastypes
on 4/2/15 11:35 am - Croydon, PA

Regardless of what the article had to say, I'm a firm believer.  I got sober in AA after I developed alcoholism after my WLS.  I tried a variety of other things, including in-patient rehab, intensive outpatient therapy and private counseling.  Nothing helped me stay sober but working the 12 steps.  I don't know why they work, but I know they do.  Interestingly, I run a group on FB called Transfer Addictions after Weight Loss Surgery.  I recently decided to poll the group to see how people were doing, if they were sober, for how long, and what was working for them.  Gotta tell you that the ones who are successfully staying sober for any length of time, are doing it using AA.  A LOT of people are reluctant to go to AA (or OA, I guess) for one reason or another.  I can only tell you that it worked for me, and I know lots of people it has worked for as well.  When someone is hesitant, I tell them to do whatever it takes.  They can try a million different things.  They have to find what works for them.  I just share what works for me.


Blessings, Jill

WLS 5/31/07.  Maintaining a weight loss of 141 pounds and feeling amazing!

Modest_Phoenix
on 4/2/15 12:50 pm

The 12-steps work because they give a person new coping skills other than turning to their addiction to cope with their struggles in life. 

Highest weight 208 in 2008 ** VSG 11/27/15 weight 193 ** Current weight 128 ** Goal weight range 100 -110 ** Height - 4'11" ** Age - 49

 
  

Gwen M.
on 4/4/15 5:55 am
VSG on 03/13/14

It's great that it has worked for you! 

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

Tracy D.
on 4/3/15 2:02 am - Papillion, NE
VSG on 05/24/13

I've always said - and will continue to say - that OA is just another tool in the toolbelt.  I was in OA for 8 years before having surgery and I never got skinny...but it certainly helped me a LOT with cleaning up the emotional damage I had created in myself and others with my compulsive eating behavior.  

I had gone waaaaay too far down the road of food addiction and needed ALL the tools to help me.  I still need OA...and I still need therapy on a regular basis...and I still need exercise...and I still need support group meetings (if they aren't run by idiots!).  And I will always need my VSG tool.  

Any time I believe that I've gotten too smart or too good for any of these tools, I end up in a bad place! 

 Tracy  5'3"     HW: 235  SW: 218  CW: 132    M1: -22  M2: -13  M3: -12  M4: -9  M5: -8   M6: -10   M7: -4

 Goal reached in 7 months and 1 week

 Lower Body Lift w/Dr. Barnthouse 7-8-15

   

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

Gwen M.
on 4/4/15 5:56 am
VSG on 03/13/14

And any tool that helps a person is worthwhile!

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

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