Question:
Post-Op Issue of not having food in your life for comfort.

Although for many of us our reasons for surgery is a combination of genetic,disease, metabolism and etc. For many there is also the psychological issue of us having comforted ourselves with food. In other words; emotional eating. I have read from some post-ops it is like they are in mourning the first few months on having lost their best friend/lover which was food. To prepare myself for this, I have been reading a book by Geneen Roth called "When Food Is Love." It has been enlightening to say the least. The RNY for us is a tool so after being giving this tool of the RNY how have you post-ops dealt with the loss of the obsession of food in your life? Has it been difficult? Also has anyone else read this book? Any comments?    — Toni K. (posted on October 22, 1999)

October 22, 1999
I have been feeling a little deprived about eating. Not being able to eat certain foods. But my obsession for junk food has not completely gone away. I still crave chips and fritos, and if I go get a grab size bag, I can finish the whole thinggs...:( So it is very difficult for me to deal with my obsession with food right now. At least I am staying away from the sugar-I am so scared of getting sick, with diaherra and all.
   — Krista C.

October 23, 1999
I'll apologise in advance if my response to this had already posted ... I kept getting messages that the server was not responding, so I'm sending it through one more time. Here it is: GREAT BOOK!!! I had been in therapy for many years trying to get control of the eating, the depression and the cycle of both that occur when food is one's drug of choice, which was my case! One of my therapists recommended this book, and I still have it on my bookshelf, and have referred several others to read this. It's interesting to me, that I could not get a handle on the eating until after my surgery, because I was so totally overwhelmed I needed to lose 350 lbs or more. So I'd get discouraged and eat more. After my surgery however, when the weight started coming of consistantly, suddenly all the therapy clicked in for me, and after a while, I no longer looked to food as my source of comfort, support, numbing feelings, celebration, etc. Food just became ... FOOD! Nurishment only, and not a "substance to abuse". I don't think I've ever actually had the feeling of mourning for the loss of food, but maybe a "substance withdrawl" type of thing. I got real moody and shaky a few times shortly after my surgery, knowing that a binge would just put me in the bathroom vomiting the excess food, it's sort of a pavlovian way of learning :) Get sick enough, and you start realizing it's not worth it. Thank you for this post ... I think we need to talk more about this kind of thing on here.
   — Sherrie G.

October 23, 1999
Hi Toni: I can really identify with your post. First, I read Geneen Roths book a few years ago and a couple of other ones of hers. I also went to one of her seminars and found it all very informative. NOW with RNY behind me, I think I can put a lot of her ideas into practice. I am an emotional eater and have been for years. I am 4 1/2 weeks post op and am struggling with food issues. Cravings are the worst right now and I have been able to identify that they are almost always around my emotions. Sometimes it is just old habits that are hard for me to quit thinking about also. BUT, I am so afraid of getting sick or overeating and stretching my pouch that it is stopping my eating for comfort. (Unless 1/4 cup of sugar free chocolate pudding counts as eating for comfort). I can live with that!! I am also noticing that I am just starting to face some of those emotions I have been covering up with food for so many years. This is of course with the help of my therapist. Anyway, it is a struggle, but deinately dueable. I am so happy and proud of my accomplishment of getting the surgery and now living with it. I wish you the best of luck.
   — Dot W.

October 24, 1999
Hi Toni, Sorry this isn't an answer to your question. Just wanted to say you have asked a very good question, one that I have wondered about as well. Will look forward to seeing the replies. Deb
   — Deb C.