I am going to seek out a counselor to help me with carb addiction. I believe that I am fully addicted and controlled by food, especially carbs. Has anyone seen someone to deal with this, and if so, was it helpful?

I have actually thought about doing this too.

No, but I know of others with the lap band who really need to seek counseling for their food addiction. Since my surgery I don't eat the same or think about food the same anymore. I am really embracing a healthier lifestyle.

Maybe consider going to Food Addicts Anonymous. It helped me. You can find a meeting near you and get a sponsor. Www.foodaddictsanonymous.org

UPDATE:

I've decided to get counseling pre-surgery. My first appt is tomorrow, i'll let you guys know how it goes!

How did your appt go and how did you find a counselor who understands food issues?

Well, I found a counselor who specializes in eating disorders. She was a QUACK! I learned more about her than she did about me - she didn't even know I had a kid until 45 minutes in! So i'm looking for someone else now. I don't have time or $ to waste like that!

No, but I know of others with the lap band who really need to seek counseling for their food addiction. Since my surgery I don't eat the same or think about food the same anymore. I am really embracing a healthier lifestyle.

Hi- I am new to all of this and am scheduled for my surgery on June 29th. I am a binge eater and am hoping that the lap band will help me with this. Usually, once I get motivated I can do well and think I can replace my food addiction with doing a lot of things around the house and hopefully, once I loose a little, going back to the gym. I am unfortunately eating even more now as I mentally prepare for not being able to eat for a month. I did the same thing when I quit smoking and it worked for me.....smoked until I felt sick and then quit with the patch. That was 14 years ago. Am I on the right track or am I just fooling myself????

Hi- I am new to all of this and am scheduled for my surgery on June 29th. I am a binge eater and am hoping that the lap band will help me with this. Usually, once I get motivated I can do well and think I can replace my food addiction with doing a lot of things around the house and hopefully, once I loose a little, going back to the gym. I am unfortunately eating even more now as I mentally prepare for not being able to eat for a month. I did the same thing when I quit smoking and it worked for me.....smoked until I felt sick and then quit with the patch. That was 14 years ago. Am I on the right track or am I just fooling myself????

I have gained 12 lb in the last month doing that. No rules (even though i was supposed to be low carb). I feel panicked that I won't enjoy food anymore, but now i just feel like **** cause i've gained weight. My doctor's great and won't give me grief, but i know they'll weigh me at preop and i'll feel horrible about my gain. I think i hate food just as much as i love it! one thing the psy did tell me was that i needed to replace my food obsession with another obsession, so i think you're on the right track there. I cant find anything i feel would replace food as an obsession, though! What comforts, makes me feel good and i can do it while watching tv?

doc office does recommend replacing food addict. with exercise addict. i just need to get busy and stay that way. that's hard right now, though cause i'm always tired from my weight! I don't know how ppl larger than me do it!

I have a friend who's been banded for a year. she said the cravings and mental eating weren't an issue for her after surgery cause the last thing she wanted was food. then others have said that the skinny feeling takes over the pleasure of food. i think i might just be over worrying about it - maybe it just happens after surgery. i know i'll see food differently and maybe the mental hunger just gradually goers away as i learn control. i started a thread "do you miss food" and got some interesting answers, you may want to check it out.

best of luck - your surgery is only 2 days after mine. WE'RE GETTING CLOSE!!

I'm a compulsive binge eater. I was in treatment for my ED for 6 months prior to my surgery and it was the BEST DECISION of my life! I'm sorry you met with a quack. That sucks. My dr. is in the Boston area, and she is fantastic. She was very supportive, but also EXCEPTIONALLY expensive. Which is why I'm not able to see her right now. Anyways, she recommended this book "when food is love". You should check it out. It was really emotionally difficult for me to read, but very helpful. Good luck!

I too want to address the addiction, but cannot find anyone in my area (NJ). It's extremely frustrating because I believe my success with surgery is directly linked with therapy.

I am going to seek out a counselor to help me with carb addiction. I believe that I am fully addicted and controlled by food, especially carbs. Has anyone seen someone to deal with this, and if so, was it helpful?

I too want to address the addiction, but cannot find anyone in my area (NJ). It's extremely frustrating because I believe my success with surgery is directly linked with therapy.

Nikki - thanks for starting this thread. I, too, want to seek out some therapy. My surgeon's office has a once a month group but it has not been helpful at all.

Aroundtown - thanks for the book recommendation.

Thanks for the book recommendation - it's on it way to my house already!

I called a therapist I liked when I was in high school (depression). He was kinda short on the phone and seemed to think that "overeating" disorder is fairly mild and not a big deal. I, on the other hand, know that i'm in need of help. Called a therapist in the area who specializes in eating disorders and had to wait 8 WEEKS for an appt!

Here's hoping the book helps...

BTW - My doctor recommended a book "why we get fat" (i think). Red cover, looked good - ordering it too

I'm a psychologist who has also been to therapy (most have) for many years along the way. Before, during, and after I got my PhD. One of the reasons I went into psychology was to understand the complexities of my life and the life of others, and one of those complexities for me was eating and food. I decided to get the lapband after years of therapy working on figuring out my issues with food, weight, etc. and I'm not done yet. I think it is so important for us to realize that we are not just "addicted to food" but really addicted to what food does for us--calm us, keep people away, keep family happy with the status quo, reward us, punish us, etc. If there is anything I've realized for me it is that my relationship with food is SO COMPLICATED! Every pound I lose represents a coping mechanism I've used for 32 years to protect myself and so losing weight is scary. Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend seeing a qualified and licensed psychologist. I'd recommend someone who identifies as client-centered or psychodynamic and who you feel a good connection with. Make sure they are licensed in your state! Your insurance will likely cover most of the cost if they are qualified.

Sorry--me again. My favorite books about eating disorders are: Eating in the Light of the Moon, Women, Food, and God, and Intuitive Eating.

I really thought I was a food addict too until I started learning about nutrition and what my body actually needs. I used to crave sugary foods so bad and I knew that wasn't normal. I also used food as a way to keep people away from me. That only works for so long. Before I was banded, I started doing research about carb cravings and found out about an amino acid called Glutamine being good for stoping carb cravings. I started taking it and it worked. I also had some blood tests ran to see if I was deficient in any of my vitamins and minerals because I had become pretty negative in my thinking all of the time. Turns out I was vitamin D deficient too. My cholesterol was high. I also started taking fish oil again and that lowered my cholesterol and really improved my mood and negative thinking. Since I have been banded, I rarely have any sugar cravings and if I do, I can usually satisfy it with a sugar free popcycle or a piece of sugar free candy. I also take a vitamin every day and I fill a lot better than when I used to just love on Dorito's and cheese dip.