Severe Food Addiction

[Roses436 11]

I’m trying to understand how weight loss surgery can help to lessen binge eating and emotional food addiction. I live and breathe food. I never get hungry because I never stop eating. I wake up in the morning with the first thought being food. I get up several times in the night and binge. I eat throughout the day and even more in the evening. I’m in a Catch 22 of depression which makes me eat and eating which makes me depressed. I am willing to wait on surgery until I get professional help and get my addiction under control, but I read that the surgery will help, as well. Can anyone share their experience?

[WanderingHeart 141]

IMO anyone binging or addicted needs to address their relationship with food in addition to surgery. Check our Rachel Goodman who will help you understand where binge eating comes from or get a therapist to work through your issues.

I used to get so hungry that it was hard to think- hard to figure out what to eat that is nourishing and satisfying. I started to change my relationship with food but the hunger felt like a beast that I had to quiet down by stuffing my face. So the surgery complimented my new approach.

[Roses436 11]

Thx WanderingHeart. I’ll look up Rachel Goodman. The difference I have with you is that I never stop eating long enough to feel hunger. I quit smoking thirty years ago cold turkey, so I know I can conquer this. I just don’t feel up to another cycle of success/failure. I have to do it right this time and that will mean long term and frequent support. I lost 100 pounds five years ago on a Biggest Loser program but gained it all back when I lost my support network.

[mswillis5 127]

I have been diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder. I started to see a therapist for this and my relationship with food has drastically changed. I am currently working on emotional eating as I seem to eat foods that are not as good for me at night. Seeing the therapist is what has helped me the most as it helps to relieve the stressors that I have. Good luck on this journey and there are books out there about intuitive eating. I have heard that a lot of people have used these books to help as well.

[catwoman7 11,214]

unfortunately, the surgery doesn't fix our brains 😞 If you're having major eating issues, like it sounds like you are, you might want to line up a therapist who specializes in eating disorders (or at least has worked with them a lot). Honestly, a lot of WLS patients have done this and have benefited from it.

in the end, the surgery controls to a large extent what we can eat in one sitting. If you're snacking all day, you'll end up eating around the surgery. You don't want to do that...

[Kelli_B19 2]

I would definitely agree with the other posts - you need to see a therapist to work through the emotional/mental part of your eating habits. Otherwise your surgery will not be as successful. It is only a tool. A good program should have this as a requirement as well, mine required a letter from a therapist. I know it is hard, I have been working with one for almost a year and just now feel like I’m making progress. It goes so much deeper than just liking food, at least for me. It is so hard and definitely the biggest hurdle. But I believe you can do it!! And hopefully make the permanent change you need in your life, best of luck

[lizonaplane 1,613]

I agree with everyone who says you will need to work with a therapist. Otherwise, you will just gain the weight back after surgery. The surgery doesn't fix your mind. There are therapists who specialized in binge eating disorder and other eating issues. Now with online therapy, it's easier than ever to find a therapist and get therapy. I don't think that serious eating issues can be tackled with self-help books, especially if depression is compounding the issue. If you are seeing a therapist for depression, they may be able to recommend a specialist in eating issues. If nothing else, make sure your depression is being adequately treated with medications that don't exacerbate your eating issues.

[froufrou 678]

I have the same problem @roses436 - I think about food ALL the time and graze ALL the time. Not good for RNY... I’ve gained 25 lbs back (I didn’t even reach goal) and am now going to be having a revision (3rd surgery - went from sleeve to RNY and now to distal). THIS time though I am going to get some therapy for my stupid brain... hopefully I can sort this out once and for all because I do not want to keep repeating the same mistakes over and over.

Like you I smoked - I used to smoke 20 a day and gave up. The thing is, you can avoid cigarettes but you can’t avoid food.

My advice is to get some therapy - I honestly think it’s the only way otherwise it seems some of us are doomed to repeat our ways. Surgery does not fix it - not for eaters like us.