Food addiction, honesty, and abstinence

I could not agree more.  The bickering over there has really ruined the main board. 

I didn't say "my surgery is better then yours", but rather, "if you have a food addiction issue the DS is more appropriate a surgery". In terms of long term weight loss, the DS's statistics are far superior esp when compared to diets that rely on behavioral modification and surgeries like the lap band and the RNY.

This is a support group, and there are people on here that never heard of the DS, and if they are preops they should look into it.

Scott

There is no surgery that can cure food addiction just as there is nothing that can prevent an alcoholic from going on a bender if he has alcohol.  If you are addicted to the substance---for food addicts that's usually refined white flour, sugar, and junk food--you can not eat normally if you indulge in eating your addicting foods.

Note:  there are many morbidly obese people who are not food addicts.  Many people were problem eaters or compulsive overeaters.  WLS generally does cure the problem of overeating.  Although I can now eat more than I did when I initially had my RNY, the difference is substance in monumental.  I used to go back for 3-4 helpings.  I was eating way over 5,000 cal per day.  I'd guess that I am now eating around 2,000 cal per day.  I know that I steadily lost weight last year when I ate1,400 to 1,600 cal per day.  I lost 50 lbs between 01-08-09 and 05-20-09.

By the way, DS was not even offered back in 200 when I had my first RNY.  Many insurance companies still do not cover it.  It may be a good surgery for many people, but it doesn't do any good if you can't get it.

I agree with your comment that we are not all addicts. I was gigantic, and ate huuuuge portions of mostly decent-for-you food, with some bad stuff thrown in for good measure. Most of my worst eating was boredom eating, but I really don't crave, and I don't miss having huge meals now that I can't. I haven't binged at all since the surgery, and haven't felt the need to. I believe if I was an actual addict, this situation would be different.

I eat when I'm bored, and I'm frequently bored. Now, I just acknowledge that when I'm staring into a fridge, or standing in a pantry, that I may not actually be hungry, but may be looking for something to do. If the latter is the case, I find something to do other than eat.

If you do know what triggers your compulsive eating, you can take measures to avoid those situations.  Again, I refer people to Beck's Diet Solution.  If you are able to stay on a long term diet, you may not have to read the book, but there are several strategies that may help you.

I know about eating compulsively due to boredom.  I'd say that ranks as my #1 reason for compulsive eating.  I was learning last year to become aware of activities I like to do other than eating that I could do when I start feeling bored.  I can do light exercises any time of the day or night and not disturb my wife. We have a Tony Little Gazelle and I can get on that for a while.   Similarly, I can listen to CDs or watch DVDs.  Jus****ching regular TV is often not engaging enough.  I can do computer games or just get on the computer.  you may think of other activities.  You may want to keep an actual list of them that you can turn to instead of the compulsive food.  Soon you'l have the list committed to memory.  Review your list occasionally.  Some things on your list may not work as a substitute for compulsive eating and you may think of others that you can add to your list.

My  name is Mike and I am a food addict and compulsive overeater.  I always will be too. I have to deal with it every day, even after my RNY.  So that's how I deal with it.. Just one day at a time.
I was also in OA.... lost weight.. and put it back on.  But I learned some valuable tools along the way which help me work this other tool.. that of weight loss surgery.  Patience and honesty are two of the most valuable ones.  I have to work on developing those tools.

I need to be honest about what I eat, when I eat, how much I eat and what I can't eat.  

I need to be patient enough to wait for my next SCHEDULED meal.  I need to be patient enough to wait until one of my 12 special occasions a year to eat things that aren't in my daily food plan.

I also don't believe that I will dump if I eat sugar. But I haven't had any deserts or other sugary foods since my RNY more than four months ago. Why tempt fate?  Today I made the mistake of going grocery shopping when I hadn't eaten in a while. I was overdue for a meal. I almost bought a bag of cheese flavored rice cakes. I was looking at the label to see if the nutrition would work into my food plan. Then I thought.."Oh food! You sneaky *******! You want to get your foot back in the door don't you?"  I put the bag back on the self.

I know myself well enough from previous failed diets to know that's how it starts. I never "fell off the diet wagon".   I slowly slipped off it.

I need to avoid that first compulsive bite of anything. And I need to do it now.