Question:
I just emptied my desk at work, why can't I stop grazing?

I'm 9 months post-op and I eat constantly. Always small amounts but often. I snack non-stop. A bite here and a bite there and before I know it I'm bloated. YUK! I'm losing contol and I feel like I'm failing. I have to see the dr about a hernia and I've even tryed using that as an excuse. Yea right! Any help or suggestions to get back on track would be great. I want to succeed!    — Denise B. (posted on October 21, 2001)

October 20, 2001
You dont need a excuse to tell your doctir anything. Perhaps counseling would be advisable. I TRY to not graze by not having goodies around.
   — bob-haller

October 20, 2001
You dont need a excuse to tell your doctir anything. Perhaps counseling would be advisable. I TRY to not graze by not having goodies around. You could keep low calorie foods around to eat instead, like carrots.
   — bob-haller

October 21, 2001
Denise, I really do empathize with you. This has been my problem all along, since surgery 16 months ago. It is ok to have smaller meals more often, as long as the meals are healthy. I have found, for myself, that when I am stressed I graze more. Also, as I got closer to 100 pounds lost, I started to feel more vulnerable in that others were beginning to notice me, I felt really very embarrassed and almost naked when others even looked at me. I guess all those years of being heavy were a way to hide, behind my weight, so others would not notice me. You might want to consider some type of counseling. For myself, I knew I would need help along the way in adjusting to the weight loss. I started counseling before surgery..and I continue to go. There are alot of issues under all of that weight that I did not know were there. Do not be do hard on yourself. You are doing fantastic!!! We are all human and have scary feelings sometimes, or stressed lives, or whatever it is that causes us to do the things we do. Use this site as a resource of support as you have in leaving this question.
   — twenc

October 21, 2001
I am not a constant grazer, but I do have "episodes." Personally, I always referred to it as binging. Anyway, I just keep the foods at work that I can feel okay grazing on for long periods. Beef jerky is currently #1 on that list, along with (I know this sounds odd) that instant split pea soup you mix with water. At the end of a day, I have satisfied my psychological demons, and not done too much damage to the food plan. But if the grazing/binging activity is causing you stress or concern, I would encourage you to join Food Addicts or OA. There are a surprisingly large number of successful WLS patients in these organizations - the surgery cured the obesity, but they need the groups to deal with the emotional / psychological eating baggage. -Kate-
   — kateseidel

October 21, 2001
I am also 9 mos. post op (RNY open) and minus 90 lbs. I am having the same problem you are about being hungry all the time. I hope I haven't stretched my stomach! Is it maybe some type of food (veggies?) that we're missing or something?
   — Betty Todd

October 22, 2001
Welcome to my world! I have the same problem and I've finally acknowledged the truth...that constant grazing has prevented me from maximizing my weight loss. I'm happy with the 110lbs. I've lost and I haven't regained any weight; but, if I could stop snacking, I know I could lose another 30lbs. and meet my goal. I thought I was hopeless until folk here directed me to an article that explains how one should "use" ones pouch. I'm following the suggestions in that article and I am happy to say that it is making a huge difference in how/when/what I eat. I feel like I have some real control and I believe that this time next year I can be thirty pounds lighter. Here it is: http://www.shelby.net/wizards/larger.htm
   — [Anonymous]