Regarding Food Addiction

Very insightful thread.

For me, I have changed alot since WLS.  Food doesn't mean the same to me most of the time, I eat because I have to OR when I'm bored.  What I've found is that although I let emotions play into my eating certain emotions cause me to not want food.  Some days I could care less if I eat anything, strange as it may sound.

Things that I do know since WLS is that I want food that is tasty and I crave veggies.  I drink entirely too much coffee and not enough water.  I am still a Little Debbie addict and I do eat them occassionally, as long as I don't gain then I'm ok with that.  I like a sweet treat before bed each night, it was a vice for me pre-op also.

I'm very thankful for my surgery and the restriction I still have 6 years out.  I can't always relate to those that eat a lot (compared to me) especially early out peeps because of the differences in restriction.

WLS has afforded me so mu*****luding an improved self-confidence and self-esteem. 

I totally understand the addiction side. I am really struggling these days because although I don't eat much, what I do eat is not the best choices. Today there was a HUGE tray of oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies. Those cookies were softer than a baby's a$$, made with real butter and just smelling delicious. I wish I could say I fought the demons but unfortunately the demons won! I have eaten 3 cookies over the course of the day. I am actually feening for another one right now.

I had forgotten how much alike we are. This is probably why I was so drawn (read: obesessed) with you when I first met you. It's like you're an extinct animal and you just found out there's one more of you on the earth. You NEED to be close to them!

Except I'm not nearly as good at managing my addiction as you are. Quite often I let it manage me. After my bounce (which happened while I was still fairly neurotic and probably undereating) I figured I needed an "excuse" for the bounce. Cuz how the hell do you gain 15 lbs. eating what I was eating? And with gastric bypass! You can't admit that to people!!!

I think I'm a bit more centered now. I figured out that if I eat decent meals at decent intervals in the day I do better throughout the day. I have a problem with dinner. I can rarely make myself commit to dinner. To me dinner = last meal of the day. So if I never eat it, I can keep eating, right?

I'm so glad you've been posting. I don't think you can ever know how much you helped me my first year post-op and even now. Hell, your experiences very literally kept me from suicide more than a few times. Thank you for being so very honest and open about who you are.

You're one bad azz beyotch!

dear jupiter,
thank you so much for your post.i just had rny on march 29 and am relearning how to eat and cook....and am very aware of my addiction. i am very grateful for a second chance, and all the insights from those of you who have gone before!!
 

I could have written this post....My fav go to meal was the 20 nuggets, fries, add an apple pie and some ben and jerry's and I was happy...either that or a mac and cheese bread bowl from dominos WITH a medium pie and TWO chocolate cakes....I too have taken food off my students tray...I could go on...

I pray I can make the changes you have made. You are an inspiration. Thank you for posting.

Thank you for sharing this! I am right there with you. Just don't get between me and my chai tea (which I drink nearly daily), and no one gets hurt.

Hi Shari

I know I have missed your insight and your honesty about your journey.  I know I have learned so much from you and I know everyone else has too. 

My surgeon's office has a 1 year and up support group and food addiction has been discussed many times.  I have been thinking about it more lately because of a couple of family members with addictions to alcohol and drugs and are both in rehab because if they were not there, they probably would be dead.  I wrote one of them an e-mail about my food addiction (I didn't get up to 407 pounds by not consuming massive amounts of food that is for sure).  Addiction, no matter what the addiction is, is a demon that is always there.

I am an emotional eater and I manage it better at some times than other times.  I know if it does rear its head, the volume is no where near the amount that used to be consumed.  I do think, however, that food addiction is not cured.  You hit it right on the head when you said you manage it.  I believe though by managing it you are in control of it and it may not be 100% of the time but you know it is much much more than before.  I don't know anyone who is on course 100% of the time, including the "normal" people in the world (whatever normal is).  Food addiction is a demon that you manage and you have to realize that it is always there and you tell it who is boss.    Everyone has to do different things to manage the demon because what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.  You have got the right idea--don't beat yourself up if you slip up.  I know I could beat myself up better than many people but it didn't get me very far.  I would be so angry with myself that I would figure that I blew it and just throw the baby out with the bath water.  Get yourself back on the saddle again. 

I know I am better about managing things than I was almost 3 years ago.  I am getting over a sinus infection I have been battling for a month (on my 3rd week of antibiotics).  I have not gotten myself a few pints of Ben and Jerry's to feel sorry for myself with, even though everything I have been putting in mouth tastes like sawdust because of the infection.  I have been going with protein shakes and soup because it is the few things I can actually taste, along with chili.  I just got back from Vegas about 10 days ago and when I was there, the buffets just didn't have the magic they had prior to surgery.  This was the first time I was back there since I had surgery.  I have to take these victories and manage life along the way.  I am battling about 8 pounds of bounceback from my 2 year follow up in July but I have to be more consistent about exercise.  I am good with 3-4 days of week of Zumba and I have participated in 3 Zumbathons this year already with another one in a couple of weeks.  I am scheduled for 4 charity walks this year (I have issued a challenge to my co-workers for the MS walk next Sunday to do the longer course--I'll see how many come with me).  As much as I heart Zumba, I have to find something else to go along with it.  I do the Zumba toning twice a week so I get some weights in.  In February, I got up with about 100 other people in local Zumba classes and performed at a Milwaukee Bucks game in front of 8,000 people (it was a Tuesday night so not as many were there).  I know that I never would have done that 3 years ago. 

Everyone's journey is different and there are bumps along the way for everyone.  You have had more than your share of complications and health issues but you are still standing.  All you can do is manage it the best way you know how and it is different for everyone.  You have to do what works for you and I believe you learn that along the way and you make the necessary adjustments if you have to. 

You are an inspiration and I know I have missed you.   We all learn from you and we all learn from each other.  Keep posting and take care of yourself.

Sylvia

It's posts like these that remind me why I miss seeing you here. Thank you for your searing honesty, your willingness to describe how you deal, and your down to earth way of caring. It has helped me and others more than you could ever imagine.

Oh my God. I know you are not theistic, but as for me - I think something supernatural brought me back to OH to read your 4-year post and this post. No BS. I think this is why I relate so much to you and to Nik.

I am . . . exactly. Like. This. My pre-op meals were a little different (8 Lean Cuisine meals in one sitting, anyone? Six cookie dough Slim Fast bars? That is totally normal, right?) but it was the same idea and had the same results.  I also have invented all kinds of low-carb, high-protein versions of everything. I mean, I'm working on a lower-carb banana pudding this weekend ::crickets::  I am actually a smidge annoyed that I have social plans this weekend because I'd originally planned to spend most of it coming up with new recipe ideas. It's a bit sick.

And do not put me in the presence of peanut butter. I have struggled a bit over the past few months, mostly because I have roommates and they keep lots and lots of peanut butter in the house. You think the fact that it doesn't belong to me would keep me from eating it. It usually doesn't.

I also do the sugarless gum and coffee thing! In fact, I am chewing a huge wad of sugarless gum right now.

I also weigh daily. And find that I do best when I stay away from the house as long as possible. I am going to work on building in more of your good coping mechanisms.

Thank you SO much for this. It means a lot to know I'm not alone in my craziness, and that aforesaid craziness does not have to mean I'm doomed to fail.