What do you all think of OA (Overeaters Anonymous)

I went to OA before I had surgery, and they are somewhat "anti surgery". But now that I've had surgery and still struggle with wanting to eat all the time I wonder if it will help me more now than before.. I have the tool..so "abstience" for me obviously would be following the rules! Why do I break them? what is the insanity behind that? I went to amazingly drastic measures to lose this weight, why would I sabatoge myself like this. Again, I am doing better, I have maintained my weight for  2 months now, instead of gaining like I was doing for a few months.. but obviously I'm not following the rules as good as I could be, or weight loss would pick up.  I'm thinking of starting an OA twelve step program and wonder what experience any of you have with that? Just something to give me additional support to help me keep the "rules" which from my surgeon is Three meals no snacking protein first, no drinking with meals. If I could achieve that sort of "absitnence" 3 meals of protein (little carb) no snacking.. on a regular basis (as I do good for a few days off and on) I KNOW the weight loss would pick up.. it's the insanity of "oh this little bit won't hurt "or " I really am hungry"..or whatever self sabotaging thought leads me to eat when I shouldn't, that is holding me back. Thoughts anyone? I've attended a few OA meetings and I've attended a few AA meetings. What I've found is MOST people going to AA are abstinent from alcohol! While most of the people at OA sometimes attend for months and years trying to find abstinance with food...alcohol is pretty powerful poison..could it be that the food is even worse?! Maybe it's because with alcohol you simply do not have that first drink..but food?  you HAVE to eat. Just an interesting observation.

Leslee

Hi Leslee,

I went to OA many times before having surgery.  I think it is a great program but it didn't work long term for me.  (Before surgery, what did??) 

For me, the 12 steps are a good foundation for living your life but some of them (righting people you've wronged, etc.) wouldn't necessarily apply to wls.  As far as the accountability and staying on track, it sure wouldn't hurt to give it a try. 

For me in having my surgery, I wanted to not have to join an organized diet program again because I wasn't going to diet.  You could apply their abstinence to the rules of wls that you follow but then it really isn't their program.

Have you tried a support group that is dedicated to wls?  That might provide the accountability that you're looking for. 

I think the accountability we look for is within ourselves.  I've also used OH and certain boards that I feel at home on.  You could start a thread on this board daily or post to others' threads on daily accountability.

I think food is more difficult than alcohol and drugs.  Of course, those haven't been areas that I've struggled with.  To me, we have to eat.  We have to make food choices daily.  It is easier to abstain from alcohol and drugs because they are black/white, you do/don't.  With food, it is a little more in the gray. 

Whatever you decide though will be the best decision for you.  I know it.

Cathy

I normally don't do too many support groups.  But try it at least once maybe twice. someone or something may be said to help you through the issue of how you see and feel towards food.  another solution is to find a theropist sp oops  That deals with food issues.  Our overeating comes from alot of different places.  We have always know what we were suppose to do to get healthy and not gain  however we (i mean Me)  just was never able to apply those guidelines.  One on one may be better than a group since you said the group was against surgery.   Just research someone that deals with eating disorders. 
believe in yourself It well all come together.

Hi, I have never been to OA. I have attended a few Al-Anon meetings and AA meetings. I have issues in the past with Alcoholics (father, first husband, several boyfriends and friends). I thought attending these might help me in identifying "why i ate myself to a hefty 221 pds". I found that they did not work for me.

Instead i found a therapist to help me deal with life so i don't use food to get me through. I started going in February and i still go once per week. I reached a set weight in March and have maintained within 3 to 5 pds since. I attend a monthly mainenance group through the local surgical weight program and i get on obesity help for guidance and assurance.

These are the tools that are working for me. Everyone seems to have their own way of dealing with the aftermath of WL.

Good Luck in finding your path of acceptance and successful maintenance.

Kelli

I like the twelve steps-and went to OA on and off for years. I think it can't hurt and might help. As another posted said-it's a good foundation.

 

Did you know there is a 12 WLS OA loop (email group??) I subscribe to it and read it often. If you want to know more-let me know-I can send you the address to subscribe.

 

Peace,

Therese

I'd love the address to subscribe~! Thanks! Thanks everyone for your insight and responses.

Can you send me that address?

WEIGHTLOSSSURGERY[email protected]

I think that were ever we fit in we should get in.  Differnt things work for differnt people and I keep looking until I ind what works for me.  I attend 12 step support group meetings and find that the steps and support and fellowship help me as I make the changes I need to mae in my life whether it be to eat healthier or stop yelling at the kids when I' frustrated and everything in between. 

Good luck on your journey
Madeline

I used to ponder going to OA all the time, way back when before I had the WLS.  I never tried it though, so I don't really know if it would've helped me or not. 

Leslee, you and I seem to be in the same boat right now.  Why do we break the rules?  Why are we sabotaging ourselves?  I need answers.  I've tried the 5 DPT, lost a little, only to start being bad again soon after.  I tried to get back to basics on my own, but have been failing.  I know for a fact that it's all in my head, which is why I'm going to do something I've never done before......go to therapy!  That's right, this Tuesday, on my 3 year surgiversary, I'm going to a therapist to start the journey to emotional strength and wellness.  Also, I'm going to make an appointment to follow up with my surgeon for the first time since my 1 year post-op visit.

Maybe these are the tools that I need (in addition to the tool that my surgeon gave me 3 years ago) to help me get back on the right track before I end up returning to my old self ....the person whom I swore that I would always remember, but never see again.  Wish me luck.