I'm sure this topic has been discussed to death, but I recently realized that I don't have full control over my emotional eating. Actually I don't think I have any control. I'm going to talk about it with my therapist next week and probably will go to my surgeon's support group meeting, but I'm just curious how everyone here copes with stress eating. Thanks!

Well i think you have to get a handle on whether there is any physiological basis for it or not, I know i certainly like a bit of alcohol and comfort food after a busy day at work. Thats a matter of willpower and sometimes counselling depending on your issues. We have all used food inappropriately in our lives.

Lately though, ive had sugar and carb cravings that are insatiable and have many days where my entire food intake is caffeine and sugar. Ive been fighting it for months. But i guess ive had a traumatic year with cancer and its treatment and Im feeling horribly depressed despite getting the all clear, routine bloods have shown severe Iron depletion, zero ovary function (so im completely menopausal at the age of 44, thanks chemoradiation), thyroid insufficiency, and low serotonin levels. I feel lie crap, look like crap and am eating crap, sigh. But all i want is sugar sugar sugar, story of my life but never like this. So for me, i have a lot of willpower but i have to address these underlying issues.

Likewise, you have to eat well, not be lacking things and identify the factors that set you off and kearn to reprogram yourself. I believe some can do this on their own, others need professional help.

I read your note and I guess I am asking the same question. I am SO upset. I had my surgery in June and have only lost 18 pounds. I have been the same weight since August and keep getting fills, but I feel hungry every two hours! I am eating great, but just too often because I feel hungry and cannot east three cups a day and nothing else. I am thinking I need to see a therapist too because this surgery is not working like it has on four of my friends who ALL lost between 50 and 80 pounds after six months. I go for another fill next week, but it seems to help my hunger for about a week and then wears off. I cannot believe I went through all of this and it isn't working very well!

In the past, I would have binged, but not anymore, so now, I will go to the gym or kickboxing and work my stress out. I feel so much better when I do. Unfortunately I still have A LOT of trouble controlling myself when there is junk food around at work. That is something I have to work on.