Help with Chronic Overeating

[curlychic32 5]

I'm about 4 months away from surgery and in therapy for ongoing issues from sexual abuse as a child. Over the years I have developed an unhealthy relationship with food, where I need to eat it as quickly as possible, just stuff it in before anyone can take it away from me (obviously connected to my abuse). I eat when I'm not hungry because it's something I can do for myself that no one can take away from me, and I often will overeat despite feeling full because what is on my plate is mine, and I can have it, so I do. Again, I'm IN THERAPY so telling me to get help isn't really helpful. I'm looking to see if anyone has dealt with something like this, and I'm curious how you overcame it or how you're doing post op. Thanks for the support!

[livvsmum 2,368]

I have struggled with disordered eating all of my life. It started with a battle with anorexia in my teenage years, then I went the complete opposite direction after having kids and struggled with binge eating disorder for most of my adult life until surgery. Let me first say that contrary to what you may now think, it is still completely possible with the sleeve to continue over eating or binge eating. It's just kind of spread out over the whole day instead of one large sitting. So, my point is, that I think it is SO smart and a good indicator of your potential success that you are already thinking about these things. I am now 2 years post op and am maintaining a 150 pounds weight loss, leaving me around 128 on a daily basis. So it is completely possible to beat this. I - like you - see an eating disorder therapist every single week. It is fundamental to my success. Something else that has helped me immensely are Geneen Roth's books, "When food is Love" and "Women, food & God" ("God" is used loosely, so if you are not religious, it still completely applies). I can't stress enough how much I wish I had read these books before I started my journey. If you want to see more of my struggles and victories along the way, I've tried to be as honest as possible throughout this whole process in my blog. It's linked in my signature if you want to check it out. Good luck to you!!!