Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Combatting Food Addiction...



Recommended Posts

I am 20 days away from my surgery and decided to start my pre-op diet a bit early. I have had a terrible addiction to Coca-Cola for years- stopping cold-turkey was not easy, but definately necessary. I'm struggling, trying to adapt to high Proteins, Vitamins, more Water, etc.- it's a shock to the system to all of a sudden eat healthy!

I think the biggest discovery for me has been the realization that I am addicted to eating. food has been the biggest part of my life for so long that I almost mourn the loss at this point. Rather than thinking about what I am going to eat incessantly, now I am obsessing about what I can't eat. I have all of these wonderful things in my life; family, career, friends- and food has been the thing that takes up most of my time. It's sad.

My concern (and fear) with having the sleeve surgery is that my addiction will continue. Even though I won't physically be able to eat, will I still obsess over food? Will I think about it all of the time? Will I sink into some sort of depression (I've never been depressed in my life) because I can't eat?

How can I combat this? I am so excited for my surgery. I've remained committed for the past 6 months to my appointments. I've done my homework, and I am as mentally as prepared as I can be. Any experiences or input anyone can provide would be very helpful at this point.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Like you, I struggle with whether or not I will obsess over food post surgery. I have disordered eating - I will eat nothing and then I'll be famished and over eat. I need to get committed to eating consistently to combat that. I have been on diets like all of us, cutting out carbs, eating low fat, going on a Soup diet, you name it. I've tried it. But nothing could ever stick for long because I would feel that depriving myself of things I want isn't natural and I didn't want to make food groups evil. I want to be able to choose without struggling over my decision. That doesn't mean I want to have chocolate cake for Breakfast lunch and dinner, either. I really like fruit - not having fruit for ever isn't an option for me. Not ever having bread again isn't an option either. My Nutritionist told me that eventually I will enjoy many of the foods I won't eat for a while, but that I shouldn't worry about that because the goal is to be able to eat a piece of fruit and be full from it. Or to have a NORMAL portion of food and it will be enough. I just keep thinking about those things, and if it means that I have to think about food a lot to get my weight to a reasonable place - then I win!!!! :) Good luck to you, too!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My concern (and fear) with having the sleeve surgery is that my addiction will continue. Even though I won't physically be able to eat, will I still obsess over food? Will I think about it all of the time? Will I sink into some sort of depression (I've never been depressed in my life) because I can't eat?

I still think of food I can't have daily and I am almost 5 weeks out. However, I tell myself no and it's more of a little birdie annoying me and not someone screaming at me to eat. I have to make myself eat and I find eating boring now. You will have these foods again, whether they are in moderation or they are "modified" (a healthier pizza on a tortilla instead of one from pizza hut)

Another thing I do is watch food documentaries and calculate the calories, fat, carbs, Protein, etc. I used to binge and found out that I did 4,000 calories, 7,500 sodium and 210 fat grams in an hour during a binge. I must say, that definitely turned me off to the idea of eating things I'm not supposed to have. You will learn to change your life for the better and soon it will be a habit to reach for fruit instead of a cake and to always eat lean Protein first.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i had the exact same fears pro-op in fact it kept me from having the surgery for years.Now 3 months out i find that it's not an issue. I know I'll probably face it again some time in the future but for now i'm not craving anything. i was a Desserts person and had something sweet every single day. Now i find my sense of taste has changed and sweets just dont taste very good anymore. I know it's not the same for everybody but this is something you don't do alone. Your NUT will help a lot and there should be a therapist on your doctor's team who will also help. In my doctor's team there is a surgeon, an endocrinologist, a nutritionist and a psyciatrist and i am required to see each of them at least once every two months. Also there are lots of support groups or even forums like this where you can find someone at any time of the day or night. So as long as you really want it you'll be able to do it. It;s not always easy but you can - and will. You've already mada a great start. Good luck with the surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Everyone is different, but for me - I've not craved food since having the surgery. As a matter of fact I am rarely hungry... I mean it is weird when others are eating these huge plates in front of you, but I just eat slowly and think about being skinny one day - its really helped me. To me the surgery gave me (forced me) to have will power that I never had before. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×