How to Stop Binge Eating Before Surgery

[Mellie May 23]

My question: How do you stop binge eating before surgery?

Hi everyone! My name is Mellie, I'm 33, and live in Charleston, SC. I brand new to this site, and started my WLS journey November of 2013. I'm currently scheduled for gastric bypass on August 19, 2014, and in order to help me prepare for surgery and also be successful post operatively, I started a YouTube channel to document my progress: food. If I'm stressed...I eat! If I'm bored...I eat! You get the picture. I'm trying to tackle this problem now so that I have a greater chance of success in keeping the weight off after surgery, but boy is it tough! My nutritionist suggested using color therapy and meditating on things that are the color blue (like the ocean) whenever I get stressed. Bless her heart, but I don't have a lot of faith in this idea. I'm a total food addict. Can you relate?? Have you struggled with obsessive thoughts about food, or do you eat extremely large portions of unhealthy food only to feel ashamed later?? If so, I'm in this struggle with you!! I'd love to hear your thoughts about coping mechanisms that you're using to fight head hunger and the need to over eat before you have surgery. Thank you so much for your help and feedback!

Mellie

[KittyKat848 93]

Hi Mellie! Welcome. I'm usually on the post-op board, but I really liked and related to your post. My pre-op process took about a year, and I'm really glad that I took that time to look at my eating and how/why it got me to the point that I needed surgery. I'm the first to admit that I love food -- all food. I eat for all occasions and also have a tendency to binge. I attended all the classes and support groups, listened to my NUT and also forged a relationship with a counselor with experience in eating disorders/addictions outside of my surgery center. These were really positive things and have been a great help in transitioning my relationship with food post surgery.

I had a lot of "food funerals" in the months leading up to surgery. Looking back, I think it was good because it highlighted that I have/had a sick relationship with food but also let me come to terms with it.

I will share that since the surgery, the greatest gift I've experienced is that my feelings towards food is much more normal. I know that it may not last forever, but it's wonderful to have a reprieve from my obsession. I'm using this time to firmly cement good habits.

[Mellie May 23]

I am really excited about having a healthy relationship with food, and not allowing it to rule my life anymore. Thank you so much for responding. I hadn't though of forging a relationship with a counselor outside of my bariatric program before. I think that's a great idea, and I'm definitely going to look into finding a professional that has eating disorder experience. Thank you again!

Hi Mellie! Welcome. I'm usually on the post-op board, but I really liked and related to your post. My pre-op process took about a year, and I'm really glad that I took that time to look at my eating and how/why it got me to the point that I needed surgery. I'm the first to admit that I love food -- all food. I eat for all occasions and also have a tendency to binge. I attended all the classes and support groups, listened to my NUT and also forged a relationship with a counselor with experience in eating disorders/addictions outside of my surgery center. These were really positive things and have been a great help in transitioning my relationship with food post surgery.

I had a lot of "food funerals" in the months leading up to surgery. Looking back, I think it was good because it highlighted that I have/had a sick relationship with food but also let me come to terms with it.

I will share that since the surgery, the greatest gift I've experienced is that my feelings towards food is much more normal. I know that it may not last forever, but it's wonderful to have a reprieve from my obsession. I'm using this time to firmly cement good habits.

[ReaRaes 49]

Hi Mellie, welcome to the site. I haven't had my surgery yet, hoping early next month. Something I read on here that I am going to post on my mirror is what I keep in my head. The taste of any food will never be better than the extra life I am giving myself. I have at this point only given up sodas for the most part. I may have one every couple weeks. But I am fine if I don't have one. I am drinking a Protein shake every morning for Breakfast and if I go to lunch, I don't have the fries or the sides. I have a sandwich or half a sandwich and veggies or quinoa salad. I have cut my calories way way back. I use myfitnesspal.com to track what I eat and I make sure that I get up and walk at work. I am trying very hard to get at least 5-7,000 steps a day before I leave work. I was trying to walk on the treadmill at night when I get home, however I have back issues causing an extra lot of pain when I do too much walking. I am meeting with an ortho surgeon next week to discuss my options so I can get my exercising in and get healthier.

I didn't realize that I ate as much as I did until I started using myfitnesspal. I also bought the mayo Clinic diet and am following many of their steps in that they make a whole lot of sense. Their first step is to add 5 habits. The second is to break 5 habits and then add 5 new bonus habits. The first 5 are: eat a healthy Breakfast, eat fruits and vegetables, eat whole grains, eat healthy fats, move. Habits to Break: no tv while eating, no sugar, no Snacks, moderate meat and low fat dairy, no eating at restaurants. Bonus habits: keep food record keep activity records, move more, eat "real food", write your daily goals. This really helped me in the beginning and I know that it will really help me after surgery. Since I was told I do not have to lose weight before surgery, and I don't have a pre-surgery liquid diet I have loosened up on some of this because I keep justifying with myself that after surgery I won't be able to eat some of this stuff so I might as well eat it now and get it out of my system. I realize I have to quit justifying it and have decided that the minute I get my surgery date I go back to following all of these rules. I still follow most of them. I do not eat while watching tv, if I snack it is on something healthy and in place of a meal.

Only you can make these changes, no amount of bonding with a counselor will make that change. You can lie to them and yourself. It's being honest in your food and activity journal that will open your eyes and make you make that change. Just keep in your head constantly the reason you are doing this and the vision of what you want at the end of this. Good luck. You will do great if you keep your eye on the prize.

[Mellie May 23]

I think it's a good idea to have as many tools in your tool belt as possible. Creating 5 new habits is a really smart idea! While it's important to break old habits, that has been my only focus so far. I am going to work of creating my own list that I can commit to, and I'm pretty excited to start brainstorming. I use MyFitnessPal as well, however I notice that the days that I binge eat are the days that I don't record anything. I think my first new healthy habit will be to commit to recording 100% of the things I eat. Thank you so much for the terrific idea. I know this will be helpful!

Their first step is to add 5 habits. The second is to break 5 habits and then add 5 new bonus habits. The first 5 are: eat a healthy breakfast, eat fruits and vegetables, eat whole grains, eat healthy fats, move. Habits to Break: no tv while eating, no sugar, no Snacks, moderate meat and low fat dairy, no eating at restaurants. Bonus habits: keep food record keep activity records, move more, eat "real food", write your daily goals. This really helped me in the beginning and I know that it will really help me after surgery.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Wow. What a great thread! WOW!

ReaRaes - simply fabulous. Well said!

Mellie - welcome to the forum! Love your positive attitude and congratulations on your decision to change your life!! Let me add my voice to others - maintaining a food log is the single most powerful tool you can possibly have (other than the surgery itself). Make a commitment to log every day, every bite. That doesn't automatically mean that you're never going to have a day where you exceed your calorie goals. Perfection is n o t a criteria for success. But failing to log those days cripples much of the power of MFP. Fail to log one day and all of your weekly stats - calories, Protein, carbs, fats, Vitamins - all of it, are meaningless. Log every bite, no matter what, and you'll be amazed at how much you can learn from MFP. MFP makes you accountable to the only person that counts - you. Before you know it, your confidence soars.

One tip for you that has helped me tremendously from pre-op to this day (well over two years out) - I never eat less than two hours or more than four hours apart. Less than two hours is "head hunger" - drink something! Water, coffee, tea, Crystal Light, whatever. liquids are a powerful bridge to your next "meal". More than four hours and you run the risk of getting overly hungry which increases the likelihood of overeating. Note that eating every four hours is not synonymous with eating a full blown "meal". A little yogurt, cottage cheese, low-fat cheese, hummus, turkey Jerky - all are rich in Protein and surprisingly filling. You'll find countless other options right here on the forum.

Great thread you guys! Is BP an amazing resource or what?!

Edited February 20, 2014 by DLCoggin

[greatwhite067 3]

Hey Nellie May! I too live in Charleston actually in Summerville and I can relate to your thread. I recently applied to MUSC ' s bariatric program and hope to have my surgery preformed by Dr. Karl Byrne. I have to do a six month diet based program with my family physician before being approved for the surgery. I started the diet today in hopes to lose some weight prior to my surgery. I am 5'4" and weigh 244lbs. I have tried everything to lose weight. Every fad diet, exercise program, ect and no luck. I too have an obsession with food. It controls a great deal of my life and I am also a bored and emotional eater. I would have to lose 40 lbs in six months to be under my bmi requirements. However, I also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and an abnormal thyoid. I am currently on meds for my high blood pressure and thyroid issues. I am happy to see another charlestonion on this site. Good luck with your surgery! Keep in touch.

[Purple Iris 14]

HI Nellie May!! This is a great thread and perfect timing for me. I'm hoping for surgery in April and I know that the mind games are coming and will be full force after surgery. My counselor really got down and dirty with me about my love affair with food. It took some hard work to get at the root cause. Since I have, I find it much easier to make better choices and I'm more confident that I'll be able to handle the head games.

Welcome!!

Edited February 21, 2014 by Purple Iris

[Mellie May 23]

DLCoggin, I agree with everything you said

Next time I shy away from recording something in MFP, I'm going to remember exactly what you said, " Perfection is n o t a criteria for success." Actually, I think I should hang that up in several places in my house. Thank you also, for sharing the information about your 2-4 hour rule. I think it's a new habit that I'm going to try to form.

BP is a wonderful resource. I am especially thankful for all of the positive and encouraging members. I don't know of another community that has more helpful and thoughtful members!

Wow. What a great thread! WOW!

One tip for you that has helped me tremendously from pre-op to this day (well over two years out) - I never eat less than two hours or more than four hours apart. Less than two hours is "head hunger" - drink something! Water, coffee, tea, Crystal Light, whatever. liquids are a powerful bridge to your next "meal". More than four hours and you run the risk of getting overly hungry which increases the likelihood of overeating. Note that eating every four hours is not synonymous with eating a full blown "meal". A little yogurt, cottage cheese, low-fat cheese, hummus, turkey Jerky - all are rich in Protein and surprisingly filling. You'll find countless other options right here on the forum.

Great thread you guys! Is BP an amazing resource or what?!

[caseyann24 22]

I can totally relate to this thread. I'm scheduled for surgery March 12th and I haven't lost any weight yet. I'm starting my pre op diet tomorrow. I really hope I can lose a decent chunk. I'm so freaked about being turned away come surgery day. I wouldn't say I've been binging but I've had enough slip ups here and there to keep me from losing any. It's so tough!

[thinndskies 52]

I had seven months of Binge Eating Disorder therapy about a year before my RNY surgery, October 15, 2013. I'm not sure I'd be as successful at 4 months out as I am if I didn't have some of that training to fall back on. The following 3 books are great ones to read to arm yourself. The books aren't very long and are easy reads. You need to know what your triggers to eat are so you can be very vigilent for signs that a trigger situation is coming your way.

Of course, nothing beats therapy with a professionally trained eating disorder therapist. If you have access to one, use it now. If you haven't had surgery, this is what you could be doing in the months prior.

50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without food, Susan Albers

Crave: Why You Binge Eat and How to Stop, Cynthia M. Bulik, Phd

The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, Cynthia Alexander

My triggers are all social interaction or disappointment in myself. I may have Asperger's, a highly functioning form of autism that makes social interaction hard. My nephew was diagnosed 12 years ago and I see so much of myself in him. I've struggled to learn social cues and was puzzled by how to interact with others. At 56, I still occasionally have difficulty, but I've learned to compensate and even laugh with others when I stumble. I have about 5 good friends, something I never had until College.

Anyway, my fear of how to act socially as a child was often soothed by food. And, food was a way many well-meaning relatives showed me love. I've had to learn to soothe myself with talking to a friend, music, baths and positive self-talk.

I wish you all the best as you learn how to find comfort in things other than food. Food is really not your friend. Friends don't let friends eat themselves to death.

[caseyann24 22]

I'm definitely going to look for those books. Thank you!

[Mellie May 23]

Thinndskies, thank you so much for sharing your experience. It really is inspiring. I am definitely going to check out the books that you suggested.

-50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without food Susan Albers

-Crave: Why You Binge Eat and How to Stop, Cynthia M. Bulik, Phd

-The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, Cynthia Alexander

My triggers are all social interaction or disappointment in myself. I may have Asperger's, a highly functioning form of autism that makes social interaction hard. My nephew was diagnosed 12 years ago and I see so much of myself in him. I've struggled to learn social cues and was puzzled by how to interact with others. At 56, I still occasionally have difficulty, but I've learned to compensate and even laugh with others when I stumble. I have about 5 good friends, something I never had until College.

[Amyllf2 206]

Binge eating disorder therapy. I for one had no idea something like that existed. I find that fascinating because I am certainly in love with food. Looking for the books!!

[Andy810 28]

I'm 3 weeks and 2 days from surgery and trying to cram as much information as I can before the day.

I am loving the 2-4 hour rule - that's one that I have made a note to follow. Thanks.