Question:
I just need a little help! I feel like I didn't even have surgery!

I am 6 months post-op and have lost 73 pounds, bringing me to 157! I'm so excited to say that! However, I've recently discovered I do not dump and can eat ANYTHING I want. I'm beginning to fall back into the old eating habits, like eating in the middle of the night, hiding food, etc. I don't want to be a failure! I want to continue losing and keep it off! I need help. Any advice out there? I feel like I never even had surgery! I have a hard time eating meat and I'm beginning to hate it! I don't like fish either! Please help with any advice you can give!    — Kelley S. (posted on April 10, 2002)

April 10, 2002
For me, it became a matter of CHOICE, to avoid the foods that made me so fat in the first place. I will never return to pizza, pasta, potato chips, breads, soda pop, buttered popcorn or any other products that trigger my binge eating. I am and will always be a "food addict" and "compulsive overeater." For those reasons, I also belong to OA (overeaters anonymous). I also am on several on-line support groups who traditionally follow the 12 step program. Also, I pop in on open AA meetings and instead of alcohol, I sub the words "compusive overeating" to help my head. It is a matter of choice at this point. My surgery is only a tool. I have to do the rest. And I never, ever again want to be trapped in my former: fat, broken down, deteriorating, unhealthy, unhappy, body again. Some days are better than others. One bite at a time, one meal at a time, one day at a time, I WILL do this. I love my new life SO MUCH! Today, I am minus 146 lbs. and almost at goal :-) Once in awhile, I will allow myself a bite of this or that...but I know that I can trigger a binge, because I have done it. I also know that I can avoid the craving of certain foods, by not triggering it. It is like having a loaded gun in my hands. For me, this truly is a matter of life and death. I finally get it!!
   — Barbara B.

April 10, 2002
I hope you do not take offense to this, but maybe you should see a therapist. I plan on doing that once I have this surgery. There is a good therapist that my fiance and I went to when we were having problems, so I am going to see him twice a month. That might be an option to consider. There are a lot of psychological issues that affect your eating habits. Again, I hope you do not take offense to this...I am not saying you are mentally ill or anything. :)
   — Carol E.

April 10, 2002
CONGRATS on your success thus far. I posted a question Monday with the same problems. I am 6 months post op and have lost 79 lbs. My questions sounded much like yours. I do the same things...hide food and can eat ANYTHING with out dumping. I sometimes wish I would dump and maybe that would change my mind. I had these suggestions: therapy, support groups, OA, change exercise routine and added protein. It is really a CHOICE...nothing or no one can do it for us. We just have to remember why we had the surgery to begin with. We don't want to hear people talking about us, not being able to do things because of our weight. I hear myself telling you these things and know this is what I should do, but it is so hard I don't know if I can even do it. But you know what...the hardest things was making the first step...it is all easy from here. That is what we need to remember. I don't know if I helped you any at all, but I hope I did. Heather
   — yodie123

April 10, 2002
Thank you for your honest post! I feel somewhat similar...but I am no where near my goal - and am 9 months out from surgery. I have lost 87 lbs - and want to lose 50 more. I agree with all of the "emtional" eating infornmation other people have posted. One "behavioral" thing - strange - that has worked for me is to eat meat. I know you say you hate it, but for me eating the meat (chicken and turkey in my case) first, I get full and don't want to snack as much. Louis Rich makes some cooked, seasoned chicken slices - they are great - I eat a few when I am feeing like I want to eat. To liven things up, I sometimes add a little zest to the meat...tonight I had a teaspoon of pesto sauce to my chicen breast (on one slice of focaccia bread). It was delicious AND very filling. Anyway, I think getting it out in the open is always a good first step for all of us. I wish you the very best. Open RNY 7/17/01.
   — blee01