Question:
help me stop over-eating

I can't seem to control my food cravings and eating. Ever since surgery (6 1/2 months ago) my desire/urge to eat has been just like it always was. Although I am rarely hungry, and the distal bypass keeps me from eating large quantities at one time, I always am thinking about food and wanting to eat, just like I was before surgery. How is it so many people suddenly no longer think about eating after they have surgery? I can't believe that this could change over night for so many post-op's. I have managed to lose 72 pounds since my surgery, but everyday it is a terrible struggle, just like it always was. I don't dump from anything. I take all my supplements and my labs are great. I get in the required protein and water. I exercise 1/2 hour a day, five days a week. But I feel as if I am just on another "diet" and sometimes feel angry that it isn't as easy as others make it appear. I have been going to weekly counseling and attending support group meetings, and I don't feel like things are getting any easier. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to help myself adjust better? Is anyone else experiencing anything like this? HELP! I am posting anonymously because I am too ashamed to let anyone know who I am.    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on June 28, 2001)

June 28, 2001
What you are feeling is 100% normal. I'm willing to bet that virtually everyone with wls has experienced what you're talking about at one time or another. They just don't want to admit it or talk about it. I don't have a magical solution for you...I'm only 4months post-op myself. We all slip up or screw up at one time or another. We ARE human after-all. I find that I am able to tolerate things that others can't but that doesn't mean I indulge. I'm too afraid of trying some things for fear of dumping. But I will admit it, I've tried chocolate and a few other things. The difference now is I will try a little square of Hershey's chocolate, instead of eating a whole box of Ho-Ho's! Now, I'm not saying that is right but like I said before we are human and I don't believe in deprivation! When I get a craving I sit down and think, I just went through this massive surgery (not to mention a second surgery I had to have because of complication) plus all the time I felt terrible from vomitting. Do I really want to go back to the eating that got me into this mess in the first place? Then I will eat something that is good for me. By that time I'm so full that I don't even want to think about eating something else. I don't know about you but with me, once I am full just the thought of food turns my stomach. At other times I find that I am not really hungry but have the "munchies". (And no, I don't smoke pot :) I'll snack on veggies or go for a walk. Usually it's just me being board. You just gotta find out what is causing your "munchies" when you're not really hungry. Which is the tough part sometimes. This surgery is not a cure all and doesn't work on the brain unfortunately. (I know this sounds cliche but it is true) But don't beat yourself up, what you're experiencing is normal. You just have to go back and reinforce the original reasons you wanted this surgery. Good luck! Hope this helps. E-mail me anytime! Sometimes it just helps to know you aren't the only one going through a tough time.
   — Deniece H.

June 28, 2001
I know what you mean and I'm glad I'm not alone! I had open RNY 6 mths. ago and am also thinking about food a lot. I just try to eat good food, protien, veggies, ect. BUT...I do like my bread. And I can eat quite a lot of it! Lately it's been a real struggle for me too. you must be doing something right to have lost 72 lbs. Hang in there! We can do it!!
   — Deb H.

June 28, 2001
Hi Mary ~ ~ I know how you feel, because I'm feeling the same way. Lately I've been getting hungary in between meals. I try to get in as much water as I can & I'm also drinking 3 protein shakes a day. I've even been having cravings for all the goodies I used to eat but I haven't let the evil forces take over. Sometimes I think I hope I didn't do all this for nothing & that I'm the one this surgery isn't going to work for, but it has to because we didn't go this far to have it fail. I guess I'm just in the dumps because I've hittin my first plateau. The scale hasn't moved in a week. Anyway I hope I answered your question. Good Luck!
   — socco58

June 28, 2001
You mentioned that you are distal. I'm wondering if you are getting enough protein supps, upward of 120g a day? Once you find the level that keeps you nourished, that will help turn that hunger swtich off. Also, if you are getting a lot of incidental sugars, like milk or yogurt or applesauce or juices--things you think of as "healthy" foods, that will keep the sugar cravings running in high gear. I am the least likely person to ever succeed on will power. I use every trick in the book to help me control food cravings. I swim in protein supps to keep me from "wanting" all the time. Never mind if I do it, but I refuse to be owned by that feeling ever again. I am pretty lazy, so I'm not WORKING it off at the gym, so I need to do it all nutritionally. I put the protein in via supps, but eat other normal foods. I keep waiting for the honeymoon to end, but so far, so good, 7 yrs coming up.
   — vitalady

June 28, 2001
What you are discribing is an obsession and compulsion about food. It is more of a psychological response than a physical one and may simply represent old behavioral programming. I strongly suggest that you attend a couple of Overeater's Anonymous (OA) meetings in order to discover and use the tools that will free you of the food obsession. I am intimately familiar with that type of unstoppable thinking and desiring. It sabatoged every diet. And, while WLS has helped me to lose weight, OA has the program that diminished my desires to continuously eat. There is a Overeater's Anonymous website: www.overeatersanonymous.org and they connect to show you meetings all over the country. Good Luck!
   — merri B.

June 29, 2001
My mom asked me the other day if I was going to miss my best friend. I didn't understand and she told me that ever since she could remember ANY time I had any problems I would turn to food. That really hit me. It's true. I don't know if it's in your head or not but I know I will probably have to go through a mourning process because I will be losing my best friend. Maybe you just weren't ready to let it all go. Have a funeral for it or something-do whatever you have to do! I just quit smoking after 13 years- yes it was a b*****, but I've never been so proud of myself in my life- I kept smoking 1 or 2 a day but that control is awesome! Good Luck and be VERY proud of that 72 lbs!!
   — Suzie ..

June 29, 2001
Hi Mary. Don't be ashamed. It was very brave of you to admit a problem and ask for help. That's what we're all here for, to help and support one another. Nobody's perfect and from the good answers you got so far, it's obvious that there are quite a few of us here struggling with the same problem - MYSELF INCLUDED. I had my RNY surgery almost 6 weeks ago and alls I want to do is eat. I struugle against the urges and feel angry & frustrated because my brain is saying MORE, MORE!!! I feel resentful of others eating "normal" meals. I just don't feel satisfied in my head after eating. And I also don't seem to dump, which I'm quite dsappointed about. So, I feel your pain. Of course, you've been struggling with it alot longer than I have. But just keep up the struggle. Another poster mentioned going to an Overeaters Anonomous meeting. That's an excellent idea. In fact I've been thinking of going myself. I don't know if you're into crafts, but I just picked up a large plastic canvas needlepoint kit and I get so engrossed in that that I don't even think about food unless I look at the clock and COMPLAIN about having to put down my work because it's time for ANOTHER meal!!! You just find whatever you love to do and plunge yourself into it. And remember that this site is always here for you. When you fall, the many good and caring people here will help you get up again. Don't give up!
   — lalasmommy