Question:
I am a compulsive overeater. What will happen to these behaviors after the surgery?

As a compulsive overeater, my life is focused on food...all the time. After I have the bypass I will still have my brain...with all of it's issues. How have others dealt with this after surgery? Did you pull your hair out?    — Danny K. (posted on July 15, 2000)

July 15, 2000
You bring up a valid point. For me (and I caveat my response intentionally) I found that my compulsive overeating was triggered by stress/emotions and sometimes just being hungry...it takes a larger caloric intake to sustain the mass that once was me. WLS is a "tool" not a panacea. You'll have some very tangible negative reinforcements if you try to force too much food, too often, into your body. I've also read that following up your surgery with support group attendance helps to work through some of the compulsions we had (or still have). Some folks also follow up with one-on-one counseling with a therapist...to help them cope with "old" issues...and to handle the "new" person they are seeing emerge from beneath the mass they've been carrying around. Good on you for realizing that (for some) there's more to weight loss than just surgery. Good luck.
   — Lucky B.

July 15, 2000
Personally, I am glad you asked this question because I am dealing with these issues now. I have been a compulsive overeater my entire life.Now, 6 weeks postop, I am having a hard time dealing with this. Food has always been my enemy and the focus of many of my thoughts. Now, though, I find that I cannot eat alot of food, and I am constantly thinking about it, constantly mentally hungry. I am trying to work through this with a therapist. The scale has become my new compulsivity along with the food. This has been a real eye opener on how much I have truly relied on food emotionally. It does take some work to change these lifetime habits but it can be done.
   — twenc

July 15, 2000
Danny, At least you are not going into this blind. REALIZING and ADMITTING that you are a compulsive overeater is awesome. For a few months after surgery you will not feel much like eating,nor will your new tiny tummy allow it. This is the opportune time to get control of your eating habits, and new life-style. Kick those old habits out the door, and develope new ones. Also, take advantage of support groups. Yes, you will still have "head-hunger" but the surgery helps us control that in the amount of food we can consume. Right now, I try to focus on eating to live, not living to eat. No, I am not pulling my hair out, don't have much to spare, it's falling out from the rapid weight-loss!!! But worth every hair lost!!! Good luck to you. I think you will do just fine. Realizing what you are in for is half the battle won. Good luck...Dani
   — Dani J.

July 15, 2000
Hi Danny: Many of us who are members of this site have had to deal with exactly the same issue. Compulsive overeating, for many people, is an effort to fill up the emptiness inside.....whether it is from a childhood trauma, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, a relationship that doesn't fulfill our needs for whatever reason, the love we felt we didn't receive from a parent, whatever. You should definitely seek the assistance of a counsellor experienced in food issues to deal with your compulsive need to eat. I've known others who transfer their compulsion to something else, like exercise, being online (LOLOL), cleaning.....which is OK to an extent, but in the long run confronting your issues and dealing with them are much healthier options. Please consider joining a support group or seeking counselling. You'll be glad you did! Good luck. Jaye Carl, RN, open proximal RNY (divided) 7-29-99, 110 pounds gone forever. Hey, it's almost my anniversary!
   — Jaye C.

July 15, 2000
You know, I certainly would've labeled myself as a compulsive eater pre-op. I was a volume eater, never a grazer. I have surprised myself by almost NEVER wanting to eat til I burst, so to speak and it's been nearly 6 yrs. My husband struggles a little harder at it (he's 5 yrs), but I do a few tricks to make sure my cravings don't beat out my good sense. I use a LOT of protein supplement, so I am fully nourished. This keeps me from being sent out to "get calories!" by a wacked out system. I'm also not subject to starvatuon mode for the same reason. I get labs often so I can see if there are any shortages that need supplementation. While, as gastric bypass (RNY) pts, we all have the same nutritional elements missing (protein, iron, calcium, A, D, E, B12 & zinc), we can supplement them and our bodies will be fooled into thinkg we are still getting the full load of "calories" as long as its nutritoinal needs are being met. On those occasions when I want "something" and don't know what it is, I make up yet another protein and drink that while I poke through cabinets and fridge and often will forget what I'm loking for long before I eat somethign I later regret! IN other words, we are not completely at the mercy of our compulsions. We can learn to outsmart them and part of it is being so well nourished that our bodies don't send out any wrong signals. AS it is when we're full size, we often are dieting and shorting ourselves in whatever element is trendy at the moment. So, we crave and overeat in an attempt to fill that monster within that can never be satisfied. "Drug" it with healthy nutrition and it will sleep for quiet some time.
   — vitalady

July 17, 2000
My surgeon told me that having the surgery will make you lose the weight. I is in fact a tool to help you while trying to change your eating habits. It kinda forces you to change your eating habits. If you have a disorder, I would advise seeking professional help or participating in a good support group. I am by far an expert on the matter. Just trying to give some useful information. Good luck in your future endavors
   — Barbara P.

July 17, 2000
As a mental health professional I was really moved by your question. I encourage you to seek a good psychotherapist to work on the underlying issues. Compulsive overeating is like any other compulsive disorder, it is behavior covering up emotional pain. If left untreated you will probably go to another compulsion, like working to much or cleaning to much etc. The behavior is an outlet for unresolved painful issues, so until you have resolved those you will continue to use something else to avoid the pain. It is really a very simple concept, it doesn't mean you are a weak person, our psychies are a wonderful complex web, the compulsive behaviors are there to protect us, but there comes a time when they are no longer benificial we need to move on. Believe me you have done the hardest part, admitting their is a compulsion, denial keeps us from growing and growing up, good for you, talk to your friends, (find out who their theripists are) interview a few until you find one that you feel comfortable with and let the healing begin!!!
   — June F.