Question:
Anyone attend Overeaters Anonymous?

For any of you who attend Overeaters Anonymous, what is your food plan like? How do you define abstinence? A lot of members in my group only eat 3 times per day. I feel like I need to eat several small meals per day. I'm 3 yrs post op and have lost 125 lbs. I'd like to lose 15-20lbs more.    — Alicia K. (posted on February 27, 2006)

February 27, 2006
Hi Alicia, I didn't find OA helpful, in fact it put alot of uneeded stress on my about my food and eating. Most OA people don't believe in WLS and none of them can understand our nutritional needs and the fact most of us can't eat 3 "normal" size meals, they often think we eat too much protein. After a while I found most of the meetings very sad, unfortunately alot of OA members have serious issues/ mental illness' and I felt listening to some of the stories wasn't helpful, I personally felt some OA members needed professional help. Control issues among sponsors are common. It stressed me to my limit and put me out of control. 6 months later I'm struggling to lose more weight and to "undo" the damage from OA. If it's helping you than Ok, but be careful. Good Luck
   — goldroses

February 27, 2006
I do not want to bash OA. Some swear by it. But I found it unfriendly towards bariatric patients. There focus is truly one of addicition. not that those elements do not exsist for many of us but the level of addressing it can be very different. In that group you are required to call your sponsor every morning and tell them what you are going to eat for the day. You are not allowed to deviate from that plan without clearing it through your sponsor. Then you are asked to eat no white flour or sugar. Those are oaky- but post WLS you can have a weird day where you unexpectly can not eat that cup of yogurt. Or feel sick at the slightest glance at chicken. Your sponsor will not necessarily understand the effects of WLS or your specific nutritional needs. You may do better to go to a few meetings and not "join" To join you need to go to at least 3 meeting weekly. Way to controling for me. I am needing to learn to eat healthy in general and eat healthy for a WLS patient. OA may not be the best source. Try a bariatric support group. I have heard even more positive feedback from Weight Watchers. The bariatric center near mean has a special "Back on Track" program to help people gain forward progress when things slow down.
   — ppaige

February 27, 2006
Hi there: I have 10+ years in A.A., and tried O.A. prior to making the decision for WLS. In reading the previous responses, I guess I was lucky, because my experience was nothing like that of the previous posters. I found my local OA groups to be supportive, and adamant about NOT telling you what TO eat, or NOT to eat. In fact, I was told to eat 3 square meals a day and don't snack in between (which could be modified to 3 meals and one snack, or 6 small meals, depending on your medical condition). The theory is to get you out of the habit of mindless eating due to stress, fear, boredom, etc. Any 12-step program is "spiritually based" (don't be chased off by that - I'm not talking about religious fanatics, but rather, realizing that there is a power greater than yourself, and it's not FOOD!) I would suggest at least checking out a couple of meetings in your area, and get as much information for yourself as possible. While I chose to go ahead with the surgery in April 2003, I still appreciate the OA literature that helps me keep food in its proper perspective. And the good news is that it's all available online: http://www.oa.org/index.htm Hope that helps, and best of luck!
   — momstah