Question:
Compulsive eater

I am trying to get my weight back under control. Lost 143, regained 50. I do very well for meals. I'm even measuring things to see what they should look like. Trouble spots for me seem to be the ride home. Gotta get that Big Gulp and a small bag of chips (used to be a 24oz.Molson - now I don't drink, so that's over. 5 1/2 years sober), and the compulsion to grab what I see and eat it, although I'm not necessarily hungary. Sometimes I feel like I'm a feeding frenzy. All resolve goes right out the window. What do you do? Thanks, Ray    — Arl3rd (posted on August 24, 2010)

August 23, 2010
Letting go of binge foods is no different than letting go of alcohol. It has to become "Now I don't eat that" or "Now I don't eat on the way home." It has to become NOT AN OPTION. If you keep it as a possibility, then the addiction wins. No addict ever left using his/her drug of choice as an option and then chose not to use. Overeater's Anonymous could be helpful.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 24, 2010
Some post op patients turn to food once given up one bad habit after surgery. But the mourning of that certain item gets replaced with another. Example, people that are addicted to food, may take on a bad habit of drinking or smoking as they are mourning the loss of the old item. So, just remember.............there is only one you. You had the surgery to better your life. You made a good choice to have the surgery, make a good choice in your foods as well. This surgery is only a tool. We still need to use our heads when eating, snacking etc. Perhaps you are thirsty and mistake it for hunger. Head hunger plays a huge role in post op patients. Don't let that food demon take over your 143 loss. Think twice and make a good choice. It sounds like you need to attend "Support Groups for post op patients". Getting advise is good online like this, but to speak with people one on one, really brings it home with the reality that you don't have to make the food choices you make now. Hope it works out for you. Please feel free to email me if you need a shoulder........I am 4.5 yrs post op RNY, lost 100lbs. I will be more than happy to offer any guidance to you.
   — Kristy

August 24, 2010
Keep a healthy beverage and snack in the frig at work that you can consume on the drive home. That should make you feel satisfied so you don't feel the need to stop anywhere. You can do it, Ray!
   — Janell C.

August 24, 2010
Ray, I'm only 3 months post-op and I'm discovering that I'm a compulsive overeater! So I have joined Overeater's Anonymous now to start working on my head hunger. I've heard from multiple people that it truly worked for them. I don't have any actual face to face meetings near me so I'm doing the online thing for now. I also attend my monthly - in person - support meeting and it does help. Best wishes that you find the right support that works for you. We have gone through all of this (surgery, pain etc) and it would be sad if it was all for nothing. Cheers, Tee
   — texastreat

August 25, 2010
I too am an overeater and in recovery as well, sober for 28+ years and still active in my fellowship. I had LapBand in November 2008 and lost 132 pounds. I slowly let some "bad" foods back into my diet and gained back some of my weight. Monthly birthday parties for recovery members opened the door I gained back some of my weight and boy howdy, I really hated that! But, I put myself back on the no-carb, low-carb diet, stopped all snacks, drink only sugarfree liquids, and I'm eating alot of protein. I don't allow myself to eat while driving, and no cookies with my coffee! Already I have lost what I had gained back and I'm staying on this no-carb, low-carb now, not eating ANYTHING white! LOL* (no sugar, flour even whole grain bread, pasta, and surely no deserts!). I am dedicated to this way of thinking and living, I don't want to go back to 282#, and I turn this over to my HP daily.
   — BeenThere1

August 29, 2010
I am another post-op in recovery. I had a revision to gastric bypass in 5/2000 and replaced food with alcohol and cigarettes within the first year. Spent 3 1/2 years in the depths of Hades and it almost killed me. I just celebrated 6 years sober this month. I have also dealt with some regain. Transferring addictions right back to food which is not good. Just like you identify triggers to drink and plan ways to avoid them you must do so with food and high sugar drinks. Since it is the ride home that gives you the most trouble my suggestion is to plan accordingly so you don't need to make any stops on the way home. Get something to drink (flavored water, low-sugar drink, straight cold water or whatever wets your whistle without killing your weightloss) and a snack of some sort (maybe a protein bar, beef jerky, slim jim, or some other high protein low to no sugar item) and make sure you keep your gas tank with enough gas in it so that you don't have to stop for gas at your weakest point. If you are in AA don't forget that we can work the 12 Steps on anything in our life that we need to. O.A. could also be a good resource. Good luck and know that you can do it. Just like with drinking you had to want to stay sober more than you wanted to drink, with food you have to want to lose and maintain your weightloss more than you want that Big Gulp and bag of chips.
   — Kellye C.