Differences between OA and CEO-HOW? (Cross posted to RNY forum)

A woman I know in my town has lost a great deal of weight lately (50 lbs).  We carpool sometimes, and one day her son said she was at an Overeaters Anonymous convention.  I asked her more about it, and she said she goes to a group called CEO-HOW, which is an offbreak of OA.

I like the idea of having a face-to-face friend who is also working on eating issues.  However, the CEO-HOW approach seems very strict.  I do need strict, but I am concerned that this will come with public judgement for my surgery.

Does anyone have experience with CEO-HOW?  OA?  What do you think?

I've been in OA for almost 10 years.  CEO-HOW is super strict.  If I remember correctly it was abo****ely no sugar or any flour products at all.  And if you ate one bite of any of those you weren't allowed to share at the meeting....which kind of ruins the whole meaning of a "support group", right? OA doesn't dictate your food plan; you figure that out for yourself or with a sponsor.  

With either group you will find that there are some people who see WLS as a cop-out.  However, it's becoming more and more mainstream in OA and those of us who've had the surgery are talking about it more and explaining how the surgery didn't "cure" our food addiction.  It helps other people understand that the struggle is real and constant and that OA is simply another tool in the toolbelt to fight obesity.  

I'd say try them out and see what you think.  It doesn't cost a thing except a bit of your time.  And try different meeting times.  There are certain OA meetings where everything just "clicks" for me and other ones that I avoid.  Find one that fits you.  

Good luck! 

I agree with Tracy, the HOW approach seems very strict and rigid to me.  I don't do strict and rigid well but for some people who need very clear boundaries it works well.

I went to OA for years and probably should go back because of course I am still a compulsive overeater, WLS or not.

I did go several years ago, after my first WLS when I was regaining but I did feel out of place having WLS and I think that is why I hesitate.  I think I will look into meetings and see what it's like now.

For me, I have my own abstinence, which is no sugar or gluten and pretty much planned meals.  I would hate for anyone to tell me what to eat or when or how much.  That is a very personal decision for the individual and can't really be decided by others.

It may be helpful to get started (it was to me) to be very strict to detox off the carbs and learn some discipline but ultimately this is a life long process for me and I have to find my own way, that I can live with long term.

Thanks Tracy and LadyTazz, both.  These were helpful and generous responses. 

I want to plan my own structure.  I like the idea of defining what I think sobriety means, rather than following someone else's idea of it.  I do think I need to at least think about what that means to me and commit to myself.  Having others to be responsible to is a good thing.  But I do want to choose what my own sobriety means.

Also, I thought the CEO-HOW approach was such that it might make me more focused on/phobic about food.  Like replacing one kind of obsession with another.  But I appreciate your advice of trying the group, and seeing if seems positive and supportive.   Especially since I have a positive acquaintance in the group.  Who knows:  maybe this group will be flexible.  Worth a try.

Thanks again.