I had a lot of stress eating growing up and I was constantly being an emotional eating. I used to eat when I was bored, stressed, upset, happy, anything. food was my life. It still is for my family. They revolve around food. I seriously can't go to any relative's house without them asking if I want food or a drink or anything. How do you say no to something that is constantly around you?
I made healthier changes and I always carry a low fat string cheese or some baby carrots around with me. If I get bored, I clean a drawer over & over again (I have ocd) or I'll play a computer game and keep trying to beat my score. If I'm stressed at work, I take 2 walks around the building (getting exercise & giving myself time to cool down). If I'm stressed at home, I play the wii or go to the gym. What I'm trying to say is if you're emotionally eating before the surgery, I think it will be really hard for you after the surgery. The band will not help with emotional eating. That's why I made myself change my mind before I even started to lose the required 5% pre-op weight loss. I knew if I didn't change my ways before the surgery, then it was pointless to even have it.
Our psychological group sessions really helped with the changing too. They taught me to write down what I'm thinking when I eat something. If I eat too big of a portion, what am I thinking when I keep eating. At first I thought it was ridiculous but tried it anyways. After a few days, I went back and realized my habits. Then I started putting down behavioral changes to what I will start doing instead of eating the unhealthy item or this huge portion. Then they taught me other statements to tell myself when I'm stressed or bored. When dieting, I used to think "Oh well the day is completely useless if I have this piece of cake or whatever." Well, the group taught me to tell myself that the day isn't useless and do I really want this unhealthy choice? It quickly changed my thinking. Now I don't eat when I'm stressed, bored, upset, happy, or whatever my mood.
Anyway, sorry for the big book. I just wanted to help with this issue as it was a huge problem for me for many many years.
Sarah :confused: