Psychologist or Psychatrist

If there's anyone in the area between Port Clinton and Lorain who can recommend a head shrinker that will appove me for the body shrinking (smile) please give me some names. My surgeon says he wants me to learn to deal with stress in ways other than eating. I told him I got another way let me have my cigarettes back.hehehe He wants me to in his words "address my binge eating" before surgery.

Hi, Tameka, I'm sorry that I'm not from your area so don't have a head shrinker name for you, but I wanted to weigh in (no pun intended) with some support for what you and your surgeon are pursing. Could be you don't have the struggles with food I have for my whole life, but if you have - here's a story that is ending nicely: Without a doubt, the best thing I did was a 6 month pre-surgery program that combined work with a dietician (and trust me, after 4 times losing 100+ pounds over the years, I didn't think any dietician could tell me anything I didn't already know), exercise therapist and behavioral modification. I added a head shrinker to the mix, knowing that just having a smaller stomach wouldn't make the desire to obsessively diet (along with the inevitable excessive overeating) go away. I couldn't imagine a life free of the constant worrying over how much I was eating (or how much I was refusing to eat). I'm 39, freedom from the constant expending of energy around food/not food I'd lived with since I was 12 was inconceivable. I've had individual therapy, group therapy and know how I got where I am, and none of that had changed the behaviors that maintained this weight. Working with my new therapist and the dietician/exercise folks was all about changing those behaviors. For five months before the surgery I built new habits. Learn something new that makes you feel good and makes your body healthier. Do that. Repeat it. Again and again. Until it's your habit. At the end of the day it was (is) less about understanding "how could I have done that to myself" (and the endless abuse I heaped on myself for that) - it only mattered that I didn't do it anymore. Which meant I had to find something else to do. So the advice your doctor offers you is right on the mark, I think. I wouldn't be surprised (unless you have a fat doctor) that he hasn't the slightest idea how painful it is to "address your binge eating" ("Hello, Binge-Eating, good to see you again...and again"), and what he has so glibly suggested probably makes you feel hopeless if you're anything like me (which you may not be ) - but if you take him up on it, and take it seriously, I can tell you what you could be in for... For me: In 7 months I can count on one hand the number of times I've wanted to compulsively eat, and each time, I had the tools I needed to manage the situation. I feel good, not guilty, every time I eat, no matter if it's cheese (heaven forbid!), pasta (call the carb police!), blackberries or fish. My habits are moving more and enjoying the fact that I can chase my kids now. I'm fascinated by finding out who I am under this fat - not afraid. I trust myself more and more every day (me, who was always the one everyone else trusted but who didn't do right by herself). Most amazingly, I no longer spend my time worrying about food. I make sure I get enough protein, I make sure I drink enough water and take my vitamins, but eating is eating. Life is life. Wow, what a realization. Hope you find the right person to help you build your new habits. Call your insurance company and ask for someone who specializes in eating disorders or behavior modification. I am thinking great thoughts for you!

Hi Lisa, Thanks for the words! I am very much like you. I've lost hundreds of pounds over the years and just like a smart dog, they eventually find their way home. Wouldn't be so bad but they always bring friends(more weight). I am actually looking forward to the shrink. I'm a black female and true to form, I've never been to any kinda therapy and the only time I've gone to the doctor is when I was pregnant and when I had pnemonia. It's time I start being real about all of my issues, not just my weight. I was raised as an only child and food was my sisters and brothers. We shared my good times and bad times and when it was a rainy day I also invited my other friend TV to play with food and I. We all played so well together. lol. Then one day I woke up really fat. How did this happen? These were supposed to be my friends. How could they do that to me? As you can see me and food go way back and I know I can't just stop eating on my own, so I'm ready for the shrink. Temeka

Tameka, I think it's great that you're ready. I have to tell you, I work with some folks who've had the surgery and have told me they still struggle every day with wanting to overeat, they're constantly snacking, they feel the same old pain, but in a smaller body. Their advice was the reason I hired the shrink. Always good to give yourself all the tools you possibly can - that combined with your fabulous attitude is going to make you successful. I'm thinking good thoughts for you. Incidentally, those 5 months pre-surgery bought me a 65 pound weight loss before I even re-arranged the plumbing, which my surgeon said made it easier to manuever in my belly, a speedy, complication free surgery. Best of luck! Lisa 326/271/225 now (160 someday)