Question:
How long before the urge to use food to sedate, comfort and entertain stops, if ever?

Hello friends: Does the urge to use food for entertainment, comfort, or to push down feelings ever lessen? What did you do when massive amounts of food were no longer an option? Please reply to [email protected]    — Linda S. (posted on April 16, 2000)

April 16, 2000
I have to tell you that I am 3 1/2 months post op and I still think about food and what I can or shouldn't eat. Even though I can't physically binge the way I used to, I have these intrusive thoughts that keep pestering me to eat, eat, eat! I had gone to Overeaters Anonymous (OA) a few years ago and that group really helped to open my eyes to the way I ate. I also read a few books by Geneen Roth about compulsive eating and other eating disorders which helped to steer me in a new direction. Ultimately, no matter what my resolve had been, I failed again to maintain any weight loss. Lastly, I tried a program called the Weigh Down Workshop which is an approach to food from a biblical perspective. Weigh Down was a tremendous help and actually drew me much closer to God in all areas of my life. Yet as a human being, I still obsessed about food. I guess my point to all of this is that even though I have had the operation to fix my body, there is still a battle for my mind and thoughts. I have decided to go back to the OA meetings and also to renew my committment to the Lord and obedience to what God says about food and behavior. I am struggling with these demons to eat and need all the help I can get. You are not alone in your desire to continue to eat. But you and I are not alone in our desire to do battle over these destructive behaviors and emerge victorious and totally free from the bondage of food. I will pray for you and the strength to perservere through this journey. There are many bumps in the road and right now the road seems more like an obstacle course!!!! But onward and upward!!
   — Fran B.

April 16, 2000
Hi Linda: I was always an emotional eater. If I was lonely, I would eat. If I was tired, I would eat. If I was depressed, sad, angry, happy, I would eat. Celebrating? Let's EAT!!! Amazingly, since my RNY, that has all changed. I rarely think of food in that way. When I do, I still eat, but not the way I used to. And, without ANY effort, I think about what I'm eating, and try and choose wisely. If there's something that I really want, I will wait a while. If I still want it, (and it won't make me sick) then I eat it, but only a few bites. I don't feel deprived, and I'm thrilled with the outcome of my surgery. Jaye Carl, RN, open proximal RNY (divided) 7-29-99, 102 pounds gone forever!
   — Jaye C.

April 17, 2000
Since my surgery I've experienced some head hunger. Although 90% of my cravings went away when my stomach was reduced from 40 oz. down to 2 oz. I sometimes feel the need to have treats and that has not hindered my weight loss. I eat a triscuit with a piece of mozzarella and pepperoni and 1 or 2 of those and my "tooth" is satisfied. I don't obsess that much anymore though. I mean pre-op I would plan my lunch at breakfast and plan my dinner at lunch. I was completely obsessed but now a little craving comes and goes and I take care of it with a 75-calorie snack and I'm ok. I really wouldn't stress out about it just come up with some tactics like having 2 bites of a craved food and you'll fare better. In addition to this it's easier to deny yourself a craved food as you're losing the weight because thin tastes so good.
   — [Deactivated Member]