Stress Eating=Stress Dumping

First off, I am so pi$$ed at myself! I know this may sound goofy, but I have been stressing for the last week b/c my youngest son is heading off to Kindergarten next week~he's ready but Mom's not! Well, I am an emotional/stress eater for sure and this has not been good. I haven't gained any weight, but I feel like crap from the crap that I've been eating~way too many carbs. So, yesterday I had a particularly stressful day and proceeded to eat something that I knew I shouldn't have and BAM! My FIRST dumping episode since having surgery! It was just like everyone has described~YUCK! I fell asleep for a little bit and when I woke up I was sweating so bad, especially behind my knees and on the inside of my elbows. It took a few hours and then I felt better so I went for a 3mile walk hoping to undo some of the damage. I just don't understand why, when I get upset/stressed/pi$$ed, why do I feel the need to eat?!?!? It baffles my mind b/c I know that I'm only hurting myself by doing this! Well, I'm taking control back today~stress or no stress~I have to learn to deal with things. Wish me luck! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Hi Tracy: I am almost two years out and have some of the same symptoms as you did when you talked about and it happens about once every two weeks or so. For me it seems to come after I have had a few to many carbs not so much sugar but also sugar. My doctor said it could be something other than dumping called Reactive Hypoglycemia. Fro me it comes about 2 to 4 hours after I have eaten something that I shouldn't have and it lasts for about 20 to 45 minutes and I have to eat some protein to get it to stop. This is not uncommon in wls people. When I looked it up it says "A few causes of reactive hypoglycemia are certain, but they are uncommon. Gastric (stomach) surgery, for instance, can cause hypoglycemia because of the rapid passage of food into the small intistine." I would check it out with your PCP and see if that can be the cause for you. One of the things they strssed in the article I read is to avoid or limit foods high in sugar especially on an empty stomach. Hope it doesn't happen to you any more. I know it feels horrible.

Melanie, I've heard people around here talking about that, but I never knew quite what it was. It's definitely something to check into! Thanks for the info! Tracy B

Tracy, I am sure you will gain control. You have been my inspiration !!!!! Good Luck...Nah you dont need it Diana

Awwww, thanks Diana! So far so good today, LOL! I got my Chicometrics dvd in the mail so that will give me something new to focus on! Hugs, Tracy B

I don't think it's unusual for stress eaters to revert to the comfort of food. Yes you have to figure out the problem and stop it but forgive yourself for the occasional slip up. You will be fine mom. Remember your job is to take care of them but part of that job is letting them go when the time comes. Best of luck!

Thanks Pat! Its so hard, but I know that's what I have to do. I've been "good" all day so I'm feeling like maybe things are getting back on track. We'll see how it goes tomorrow....... Tracy B