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Adjusting to a New Normal

Since 1999, tens of thousands of people have used the Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Program and/or read Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat, to resolve their difficult eating issues. There are often people in our workshops who have had also bariatric surgery. They explain that surgery did not fix their real problem and/or that they need additional skills to cope with their "new normal."

Bariatric Surgery and Mindful Eating

Mindfulness is beneficial because it teaches us to focus our attention and awareness on what is happening right now, which in turn, helps us disengage from habitual, unsatisfying, and unskillful habits and behaviors.

Specifically, mindful eating skills help resolve the mindless habits and emotional eating issues that lead to problems after bariatric surgery:

• Eating too quickly
  
• Taking large bites
  
• Not chewing thoroughly
  
• Eating while distracted leading to overconsumption
  
• Not savoring food and therefore having difficulty feeling satisfied with small volumes of food
  
• Eating too much leading to vomiting and/or distention of the pouch
  
• Grazing throughout the day
  
• Eating "slider" foods and high-calorie soft foods and liquids, often in response to emotional triggers
  
• Not consuming enough Protein or nutrient-rich foods
  
• Feeling deprived or left-out in social situations
  
• Struggling to establish consistent physical activity
  
• Transfer addictions
  
• And many other issues...
  

Further, most people who make the difficult decision to have bariatric surgery want to improve their health and energy so they can live the vibrant life they crave. Yet without the additional tool of mindful eating, bariatric surgery can feel like a permanent diet that continues to consume your life.

One of the most meaningful changes that happens when you learn to eat mindfully (whether you've had surgery or not!) is that it allows you to think about eating when you need to and free up your energy and attention to focus on living in between.

Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Program for Bariatric Surgery

For all these reasons we felt that it was time to create a mindful eating program especially for people who have had (or who are considering) bariatric surgery. We have a brand new Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Program for Bariatric Surgery Workbook and Awareness Journal and supplemental Faciltiator Training.

Michelle May, M.D. is the author Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat and the founder of www.AmIHungry.com.

The key to this one comes right at the beginning... It's only a tool. Too many people go into surgery thinking it will do all the work for you. If you don't make the right choices, if you don't use the tool right, it will do you no good... and then the band is not to blame.

love her articles! I have subscribed to her weekly emails. we need all the help we can get, she great!

Excellent article, thanks for sharing!

Well I guess I'm the exception.

A tool, like a hammer, is something I choose to use or not.

The band on the other hand, I have little or no control over, like a hammer.

I cannot over eat, no matter how hard I try, and I have tried.

My portion sizes ate automatic. I do not need to measure or weigh my food as if I was on a diet.uy hunger and cravings are completely under control, I sometimes have to forceyaeld to sit down and have something to eat.

The only thing I need to do is make wise food choices which is not rocket science.

True, I'm the beginning I has to learn all the rules, learn a new way of eating, etc.

But once I got past all that, and found my groove, it has been the easiest thing I could have ever done.

It is a life changing experience.

I don't even think about the band on most days.

I now love a normal life, the same way skinny people do.

I tell my Dr. Everything, and he wishes all his patients were as happy and satisfied with their new life as I am.

I guess it's different for everyone, and I will not tell people how to run their life, especially if they are 100% successful.

I can only be a witness to my own experience, as everyone else does, and let readers decide.

Thank you for article and encouragement a few days ago. I'm down in weight!!!!