Question:
I am stress eating and it is driving me insane.

I want to eat and I know I am not physically hungry. Where can I go for help?    — paintnmynails (posted on December 4, 2001)

December 4, 2001
I know exactly how you feel. I have been a major stress eater all my life. Since my surgery in April, I obviously haven't been able to eat my stress away. I have a fairly stressful job on top of being a single mom to 2 teenage boys. I found myself increasingly anxious and stressed out. It finally climaxed at work one day when I just burst into tears while talking to the person who does the scheduling to staff my branch (I am a bank manager). This was so totally out of character for me that I knew then I had to do something. I had an appointment with my PCP the next week for a check up. I talked to him about the problem and we agreed I needed to take something for a while until I learn to channel my stress some other way. I am on Welbutrin for now. While I consider it a temporary fix, it was a necessary one and I am coping much better now. This may not be the answer for everyone with this problem, but it is working for me. We have gone thru so many changes in our lives with this surgery, and for the most part, at least for me, they have been wonderful changes. There is no shame in using some additional "tools" to help us thru the rough periods of adjustment. One good thing came of the whole situation, I have been getting a lot more help, better staffing since this happened. I think my boss thought I was headed for a breakdown. LOL, heck of a way to get the staffing I needed, but it worked. :). Good luck and feel free to email me if you would like to talk.
   — cheryl R.

December 4, 2001
Hi Tina, first know you are not alone. And, while WLS can mechanically change the amount you eat and the way you digest what you eat, it does not change your emotional state or the reasons you overate prior to the surgery. Most people overeat to "medicate" feelings that are uncomfortable to them. Those feelings are still there and they still cause the same discomfort/anxiety they have always caused. I think there are three things (at least that come to mind right now). 1- When you can, withstand the feelings and try to explore them (what sensations do I have in my body, what do they mean, what emotions are coming up, where are they coming from - what are they attached to?). This is difficult, put very worth it if you can do it - even if you can do it only some times. 2- eat - but eat things that won't hurt you (calorically)- raw vegetables are my "snack" of choice (peppers of all colors, cukes, celery). Not very exciting, I admit - but they are crunchy and relatively harmless. 3- find a good therapist, and, preferably, good group therapist. Oh, and 4 - love yourself whatever you do. I've spent a good deal of my life evaluating myself by what I did or didn't eat on any given day. We are all worth more than that. You just made a major life change and a very brave choice. Be gentle with yourself - change takes time. Be well and the best - Nancy
   — Nancy Z.