Any (former) binge eaters?

Hi everyone, I'm kinda new here, and only about 2 years post-op (VSG), but I've got a bit of regain I'm trying to take off, and I was wondering if there's anyone in the group that's dealt with binge eating?  I'm sort of borderline, not sure whether I'm really a binge eater, or more just of an emotional eater, but it's sure hard to make much progress losing the regain when some off-track eating derails me for weeks at a time! 

I've got plenty of work to do with the emotional eating side, but I'm still in the process of trying to figure out whether the bingeing is completely emotional, or how much of it is the carb /sugar roller coaster.  I'd never gone low-carb before the pre-op diet, and that was a HUGE awakening for me.  Suddenly my obsessive thoughts about sugar and carbs disappeared, and I thought I'd found THE ANSWER.  I stuck with it really well for about the first 9 months post-op, but now I'm dealing with intermittent carb / sugar binges.  I've read a lot of blogs by people who consider this to be a sort of addiction, and have found that abstinence is the only answer.  I've also read a lot of blogs by people who argue that extreme restriction is the problem, not the answer, and that if you can successfully deal with the emotional issues, foods no longer have the same power over you, so it's not really an "addiction".  I generally find it easier to take the abstention path.  After i get through the first 5-6 days, it starts to get a LOT easier.  I do have sweets, but they're low-carb, sugar-free, and most of the time that satisfies me.  I don't miss potatoes, rice, or pasta, and bread only rarely.  But I do wonder if I'm just setting myself up for binges.  Learning to eat something like a real cupcake "in moderation" seems impossible to me, but that means that when there are cupcakes at work and I fail to resist them, it can send me off into a sugar / carb spiral that goes on for weeks.

I'm sure there's not "one right answer" for everyone, but I'd sure appreciate some advice from others.

By the way, I've been through ED therapy in the past, pre-op.  I do know I'd probably benefit from trying it again if I found a therapist who was a better fit, but it's hard to figure out how to work it in to my work schedule.  Last time I saw someone who was within walking distance of my office and I could see her at lunch time, but I didn't find her all that helpful, just convenient.  In the mean time I read everything I can get my hands on. 

Thanks in advance!

Beth

I think we are all one step away from being a binged eater.  As long as I keep my sugar low, I can manager my carb intake.  If I eat something high in sugars, it triggers my carbs and I might eat bad for three days straight until my stomach starts to feel almost sick like.  I then decarb again and start fresh one more time.  Some people can eat all things in moderation others are not so lucky.  Moderation for me leads me down the path of extra eating and higher carbs.  I guess that is why I am so restrictive sometimes on what I consume.  I think as individuals we must all find out what works for us and stick to that plan.  It is the only way that we will truly be in control of our success.  Good luck to you in finding your way.

Beth,

I am no professional but like you I have read a LOT and I know how I feel.  I'd love to see a day when I can have a cupcake and not start thinking about the next one in the middle of this on.  But honestly right now that seems unfathomable to me.  I have been an active member in OA (Overeaters Anonymous) in the past and if there was a meeting within 30 miles of me I would still attend regularly.  

I have dealt with a lot of my emotional issues and I really am better with some things that I've worked through with a therapist.  However, it seems every time something very emotional comes up, food is where I want to turn - not journaling or walking or taking a bath.  I NEED sugar and fat NOW.  Ok - maybe I call the sugar and fat by different names - chocolate, cake, cookies, donuts.. you get the picture.  I can fight off that sugar monster easier if I haven't had any in a while but that way of dealing with a problem/emotion is always ALWAYS first.  I just have to fight it if I'm going to be successful.

I think there are some people who are addicted and some people who aren't.  I am an addict.  I know it like I know my name.  As they say in OA.  This is my experience, take what is helpful and leave the rest.  

If nothing else - where do those things fit in your after VSG plan?

Thanks Trudy, that really is helpful.  Sometimes I think it's entirely possible to read too much, because each new point of view makes me doubt what I learned from the last one.  Usually I just think to myself that while it's certainly possible that I could deal with the emotional / mental drives to eat sufficiently that what I'm eating wouldn't be such a driver towards bingeing, I suspect that if it is possible, I'd gain so much weight in the process of trying to train myself that it's not really worth it.  It's just so hard to commit 100% to the concept of never eating any of those foods again, ever, but I suppose that's the addict in me talking.  I mean, honestly, it's just food, right?  I've had my share ... and then some.