Made an Appt

Well, I finally followed thru and made an appt with a psychologist that specializes in food addictions/emotional eating. I go on April 2nd. I'm nervous b/c I've never done any type of counseling before, but I'm also excited. I hope that this will work for me and help me with the mental side of wls and weight loss so that I can be a long term success story. Wish me luck!

Good for you!  I need to find someone around here who specializes in eating disorders.  I did see someone a couple years ago so at least I know why I do it.  I just don't know how to stop it! Lyn

I'm wishing you TONS of luck!  You are so faithful and such a reliable help to so many people.  I think talking to someone and building up your confidence will help.

Tracy, have you been eating more and struggling with it or just being pro-active about it >?

I haven't been eating more, but I do struggle w/ my feelings and emotions. It feels like my coping mechanism was taking away. I've found myself getting in an uproar over something and the next thing I know I'm standing in front of the cupboards with the doors open. Most of the time I'm able to stop myself and get a grip, but there are occasions where it gets the better of me, thankfully not very often. I just feel like I  need to deal with whatever the underlying issues are. I had surgery on my body and now I need a mind makeover, LOL!

Hi, I think one of the most difficult lessons of my lifetime was learning to accept the fact that nomatter what I do I have a food addiction!  WLS has helped me so much, and so has therapy.  Also before and after surgery I have been active in Overeaters Anonymous and working that 12 step program has really helped me find serenity and peace of mind.  Knowing that I am not alone, that other people have the same addiction that I do and are working with each other and their higher power, and the tools of their individual program and the fellowship this creates has meant the world to me. I started my pathway to recovery in 2001 - doing a 30 day in-hospital stay and then a strong program of OA and therapy.  In 2003 I decided to add WLS to my menu of recovery steps and in total have released 175 pounds - 143 after WLS.  I feel like a different person as far as fitting into the world and being able to do physical things - I could not walk a block before and used a cane. So, I asked for a miracle and was told that I was the miracle - and then learned how to ask for it every day! I also know how it feels to fail, because I had been on every diet known to man and also had my stomach stapled 25 years ago, and managed to gain back much more than I lost at that time.  I have great compassion for all of us- we have suffered at our own hand... however, it's time to stop feeling failure and guilt, and start feeling the blessings that we really have! An eating order is a disease.  WLS is not brain surgery - we still have the same wiring even though our body is different - we need additional help and should not be embarassed to get it!  That's another whole difficult lesson!  One of the hardest I've ever learned - but the more I admit that I need help and let it into my life, the more recovery I find. If anyone wants to email me, please feel free! Adrienne xo

Keep up posted.  I am very interested in what you think of her.

Tracy good luck. I never did any counseling other than preparing for bariatric surgery and I didn't much like that since the psychologist said I was not a candidate to succeed since I had no support with my husband being a disabled veteran...duh what the heck did that have to do with the price of beans??? Called my surgeon and he set me up with another psycologist in the same group and he was wonderful so I doubt I could ever do that again and I am a success as well as you my dear.  Please come back and let us know what you find out, I am very interested...I find my self going to the freezer looking to see if I have some hard candy to suck on every now and then...It's mindless I know because I am never hungry even when its time to have dinner. Sometimes I see its 10PM and I go make pop corn, never did before surgery but in last 8 months I find my self doing it and after I eat it I think why???? Hmmmm sounds like I need professional help too!

I started seeing a therapist about a month before I had surgery, he's not a specialist in food addictions per se, but I have benefited immensely from seeing him regularly this past year.  I have had counseling before that's NOT been successful, it's all about you being ready [you sound like you are] and finding the right person.  Don't be discouraged if this person isn't the perfect fit, sometimes it takes a few tries.

I really do think that food addictions/eating disorders [in my case] or not, many of us have issues that we deal with by turning to food.  The long term successes deal with the whole package, not just the fat.

Good luck!!!

Good luck Tracy, I'm really thinking about scheduling something in the near future if I continue to struggle so much as I do now.  I have heard many that it has helped, I hope it helps you too. Hugs, Dana