Sooverit---what you wrote really hit home for me, too. My surgery is just 3 days away, and I keep looking longingly at all the yummy stuff I can no longer eat and feeling a bit sad. However, I have also found, and I don't know where this came from, that I am finding little projects around the house to do to keep my hands busy. I have NO willpower on my own, so this is such a blessing. Maybe its the power of the subconscious mind, I don't know, but all those projects were there before I decided to do this surgery. I just chose not to do them because I was busy thinking about my next meal.
So, you and I need to delve into some exciting new hobbies....or re-decorate a room, call an old friend, volunteer at a deserving charity. food, our comforting friend, really isn't a friend who has solved any of our problems. He certainly hasn't made me feel better about myself. I just want food to be more of an afterthought, not running my life anymore.
Best of luck to you....those pre-teen girls are always a challenge. Hang in there, my experience is that they are always meanest to the person they know won't turn away from them. She needs you. You'll be best of friends again very soon.