Question:
Dealing with replacing one addiction for another

(Note: I am PRE-op ...have not had surgery yet) my question is how are post-op's dealing with not having the food available for comfort. While I'm waiting to be approved, I've been working on cutting down portions and weaning myself off carbonated drinks....which is driving me insane! I have noticed I've been catalog shopping a whole lot more than I used to! It's what's replacing food for me. I'm going to have us all in the poor house in no time at this rate. Any thoughts on this?    — kathleen-Joan piper (posted on April 26, 2003)

April 26, 2003
hiya! i had that problem -- replaced food with shopping and at one particularly stressful point, alcohol... NOT a good road for a wls patient! counseling was crucial for me, strong involvement in a wls support group and finding healthy habits. for me this has been exercise. i do yoga every sunday and weight lift 4-5 days a week. if i can't make it to the gym i MUST do something physical like work in the yard. i've made exercise a priority in my life and keep myself very busy. the shopping one is hard especially since you're clothes don't fit very long! i love my local goodwill thrift store tho i think they should have an exchange program. i can buy a bunch of "new" clothes for the cost of one complete outfit at a regular clothing store. my best to you on your journey. oh, you may also want to keep a journal and really pay attention to your behaviour patterns, like what is a trigger for you, so you can practive behaviour modification. a great book that helps with that is The Feeling Good Handbook (it's a big book but don't let that scare you) or even The Tao of Sobriety, while it mainly deals with alcohol, you can use the teachings for any kind of compulsive behaviour. good luck! {{hugs}} kate
   — jkb

April 26, 2003
I am also pre-op and i just gort my date. I find that I am replacing food with cleaning. I can't get things clean enough. So far its not much of a problem because things really need cleaning around here and my spouse loves it. In the long run I am afraid I will get on my own nerves. The truth is exercise, or cleaning I don't care as long as I don't eat... I keep telling my self that I am getting ready to cut off most of my stomach its time for a change.
   — Ron T.

April 26, 2003
I am also pre-op and i just gort my date. I find that I am replacing food with cleaning. I can't get things clean enough. So far its not much of a problem because things really need cleaning around here and my spouse loves it. In the long run I am afraid I will get on my own nerves. The truth is exercise, or cleaning I don't care as long as I don't eat... I keep telling my self that I am getting ready to cut off most of my stomach its time for a change.
   — Ron T.

April 26, 2003
I talked to my counselor about this specifically - if I am addicted to food, when the food isn't available, won't I turn my addiction to something else just as dangerous like drugs or alcohol?? He said that is a common misunderstanding. There is apparently no documented proof that this occurs, and has been tested, so he says that my "habit" of emotional eating should not pop up as a new addiction. I sure hope he's right!
   — bethybb

April 26, 2003
active things like previous posters have mentioned have replaced eating for me. Not to mention, I am not lonely anymore or bored like I was before. I get out and see people and DO things and the food is just not on my mind as much. In fact somedays (like today) I have to remember to eat.
   — [Deactivated Member]