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Even though I work in computers now with the school system, my college degree was actually Counseling with a concentration in Substance Abuse. While working at a drug treatment center I worked with patients on developing coping skills to help them deal with cravings to use. We would tell them, they must avoid people, places and things that are triggers; some to the point of having to live some where other than where they came from. During that time I was in denial that I myself was an addict, but my drug of choice was food. Unfortunatly, I can't avoid food. I must eat, but as I continue on the self reflective journey I have been on of late, I realize that I have food triggers. Cookies- I love them, they are buttery and chewy and oh so good. If I make cookies and eat one, I can't stop- I must eat more. Ice Cream is another problem, I love ice cream, any shape or form- cones, cups, shakes- yum. So I know, no ice cream should be kept in the house because I won't stop until it is all gone. Now you may say, where is you will power, where is your want power? I do want to lose weight, but there are times where it is like an out of body experience, I realize what I am doing is wrong and I will regret it, but I can't stop- this is classic addict behavior. If you are able to use your want power to prevent you from ever slipping up- awesome for you- but addicts many times can not rely strictly on that. I am actully going back and reading some of my old college textbooks to help myself with this addiction. While I have lost a little more than half of what I want to lose, in order for me to lose more and here is the key- keep it off- I must figure out my triggers and develop coping skills for dealing with these. Is this journey easy- heck no! Will it be worth it- heck yes. But, I feel I will be much more successful long term now that I am looking at this for what it is! Just like drug, tobacco, alcohol addiction is a life long battle- so is food addiction. For those of you who what I am saying rings true, take a look at yourself- what are your triggers- what can you do to cope with them. So with that- Hello, my name is Kim and I am a foodaholic.

Yup I cheeked it on 4 different scales okay who wants to Zumba with me now

In the mean time don't forget you can chat with people here. Have you tried the chat room or maybe you can PM someone on here going though what you are going through? Sorry I can't answer your question about a support group in your area, maybe someone else will know. Sorry your having a hard time. I'm sure you will find what you need. Good luck. ~~~Stephanie

I'm 9 weeks post-op and have lost 28lbs. My clothes are looking sloppy and I'm feeling great about it. I have absolutely no regrets about this decision. I did start to fell like I could handle a few tortilla chips and a slice of bread here and there, not a smart decision. I researched the process of Ketosis that is happening to my body and decided if I wanted to take advantage of this small window of about 9 months to 1 year when the weight loss is most likely to happen, I had better get serious and stop eating simple carbohydrates. I have done that now and feel really good about it. I guess I was trying to test my sleeve or something. I will be diligent about what goes in my mouth knowing that "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels". Yea Me! Getting enough water has been the hardest part of this journey and I am so trying to get better with that. Like so many people have said, "I wish I had done this sooner", better late than never. When I have lost 50 lbs, I will share pictures. Thanks for reading.

I have the same problem with sugar foods. Like the cakes, cookies, and icecream. Even with the lap band its taken me 5 years after surgery to realize I just cant have them in my house. I have 10 more pounds to go and I believe these foods have always been my down fall. I too am a sugar addict.

Wow,congrats on your success! I really needed to hear a positive voice tonight! Im 12 days to sleeve, and the nerves, the doubt, the fear are all kicking in! Happy to read a happy sleever who is kicking' ass and takin' names! You rock!

Does anyone on this Blog come from the Andover,Ma.area? I need to find a support group fast. I am only 4 months in and already using food as an emotional crutch to some hard times. The scary thing is that It actually hurts to eat certain foods and yet I am anyway. If this is not a sign that I need help,I do not know what is. So if anyone knows of any place I can go to talk to other People who are going through what I am..I would really appreciate it. The place I got the Surgery only meets once a Month and not at a convenient time for me.

Hello Fellow Banders, I commented on my flipped port a year ago. The good news is that I got serious on my diet and exercise and lost 25#, Even better news, a new doctor moved to my town. I had put off getting my port fixed because I didn't want to go to mexico again and I couldn't find a local doctor to fix it and then do the fills. I love my new doctor :-). He replaced my port today and removed the scar tissue from my ugly looking original surgery scars. I guess nothing worth doing is easy though. ,,,, Things didn't go as planned. 1.The taxi couldn't find my house, so he was 20 minutes late. But he showed me a cool short cut and still got me there only 5 minutes late. 2.The doctor got delayed with something else and so my surgery started an hour later than planned. But the time gave me time to pray and I sang to myself Amazing Love a bunch. I felt very close to God by the time I went into surgery. 3. We were just doing a local and flipping the port. So it was kinda cool to be awake and be aware of the surgery. 4. Just when I thought he was about done, he showed me the port and said it needed replacing. So they had to put me under. But the next thing I know, I'm waking up in recovery feeling good and my wonderful Son-in-Law is there to take care of me. So each setback seemed to be offset with a gift, God is always showing me his love. Good Journey All, MaggieGT Amazing Love :-) I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken I'm accepted, you were condemned I'm alive and well Your spirit is within me Because you died and rose again Chorus: Amazing Love How can it be That you my King Would die for me Amazing Love I know it's true It's my joy to honor You In all I do I honor you Coda: You are my King Jesus, You are my King You are my King Jesus, You are my King **************************************************************************

So I have been overweight since I hit puberty. It wasn't an issue until several years ago. After, I started having children the weight just never disappeared and then after some time the weight just continued and continued to increase and now I know that I need to do something. I don't think that I'm ugly or unslightly but life isn't as enjoyable as it should be and I kow that if I lost the weight I would be a more lively person. So here I am started the journey to the rest of my life.

Wow! Assume much? I work full-time teaching, have 4 kids which requires me to be at either the soccer fields or football fields 4 days/week usually chasing my 2yr-old, church 2/wk, finishing my Master's, cub scouts every wk, n I have my own business. i'm VERY active n assumed i would lose a bunch going from recovery to full-on life, but no. Plz remember EVERY body IS different. I'm looking for others in my situation who may be able to offer insight. Ur comment was simply judgemental.