Head Hunger - Binge Eating Disorder

[Jennifer Ostermeier 45]

I was diagnosed with binge eating disorder in 2008. I thought I had really "dealt" with it, but turns out it was only the tip of the iceburg!

More about my journey here.

I started the gastric sleeve process in May 2015 at Northwestern University. I have been impressed with the doctors, the nurses, the nutritionists, and the recommended psychological evaluators for surgical approval. In late October I was approved for surgery. With that approval came fear. Fear that I needed to make sure I had completely dealt with the hidden binge and overeating addict within. I needed to face the fact that there were many times that I was stuffed beyond fullness and I couldn't keep away from another handful of M&Ms.

I am a month into an intensive outpatient therapy for disordered eating. I am kicking this thing in the ass. Next week I go in for endosopy to prep for surgery once I am released from therapy (in the next 2 weeks or so)

I am happy for the journey and have really learned a ton about my head hunger and the self defeating stories I tell myself about the impossibilities of certain "glittery" foods.

I'd love to hear about ways you have dealt with food addictions, binge addictions pre and post surgery. Both success and failures.

[Miss Mac 6,262]

One of my downfalls pre-op was fast food joints. I am retired now, but was 22 miles from work at the time. I would stop twice on the way to work, and sometimes three times on the way home. Oh man, what a waste of money.

When I committed to the surgery I had to find a way to make the drive-throughs less compelling. So, I call them McPoison's, Poison King, Poison Bell, Poison Castle, etc....This has really helped. I wish you good luck and good health.

[livvsmum 2,369]

I never realized I had this issue until about 7 months post op when I sought out therapy because my old "urges" for coping with life through food started to pop back up. For me, my disordered eating kind of went the other direction after surgery & I now battle every day not with binge eating like in the past but with anorexia. I'm winning the battle though :-) I've been in therapy since 7 months post op. I'm now 26 months post op. I go every single week. I've also made a lot of progress reading & journaling through Geneen Roths books. I highly recommend them. I think it shows great promise that you are already thinking about these things, good luck to you!

[Cheeselife 68]

I'm at the beginning of my journey, surgery in a couple of weeks. Something which is helping me is viewing myself as a friend in an abusive relationship, with food! I can be my own friend, and it helps me face those urges to get back in touch with my old flame, inappropriate eating habits!

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[lmc79 1]

I am going for my first appointment on weds to look into sleeve surgery. I have a very unhealthy addiction to food. I have not gone to therapy for it but am on depression medications for other issues. I am terrified that after the surgery I will not be able to overcome these urges to over eat. Any suggestions?

[Jennifer Ostermeier 45]

I am going for my first appointment on weds to look into sleeve surgery. I have a very unhealthy addiction to food. I have not gone to therapy for it but am on depression medications for other issues. I am terrified that after the surgery I will not be able to overcome these urges to over eat. Any suggestions?

I suggest seeing someone, a counselor, who specializes in eating disorders. You can do this side by side with the approval process for the sleeve. Recovery is possible.

I am on my way ????.

[Amy Wolfe 49]

I wish we had a poison castle on san diego! Lol