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Food addiction How do you deal

Renea Glover

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Renea Glover    140

Renea Glover
Posted

Its definitely a mental thing for me I was sleeved on 10/12/16 and I was so hurt when I came home I thought the surgery would take away my desire for food completely however it actually made me realize I had a real problem with food. I never noticed how much I consumed since I struggled with weight my whole life. My parents always made us finish our plates before we got up. And I do the same to my children what they didnt eat I would cuz I couldn't stand the thought if wasting food or throwing it away... After surgery I was chewing up food and spitting it out. Food was everywhere, TV commercials, fliers, fast food restaurants on every corner or billboard I just couldn't focus... Long story short preparation works keep a lunch box with the right things such as yogurt, string cheese, boiled eggs, turkey, Peanut Butter, Jerky, slim jims, ect whatever is healthy that u can tolerate set alarms on your phone to eat nd drink every couple of hours so u dont get hungry nd find something else to focus on reading or exercise work for Me. When I'm going to the gym regularly I dont won't to mess up all my hard work by eating poorly. It does get better but we all have to do our Part our surgery's are not cure alls but helping tools.

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brennafaith    25

brennafaith
Posted

I agree with this 1000%. It's definitely all a mental thing.. & it's exhausting. I'm getting better about ignoring my head hunger. I tried to eat juice out of the Beans we cooked and my stomach hurt, like I over ate... which wound up terrifying me that I messed up my sleeve so now I'm afraid to eat Jello or popsicles.. anything. I'm even afraid I'm taking to big of sips. I won't lie, before surgery ; during the liquid diet.. I went through that horrible horrible stage of chewing food and spitting it out. Horrible habit but I just needed the comfort.. after surgery I'm very nervous everything I even take a drink. So hopefully thats keeps me from eating alot.. but still the head hunger is definitely there

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Renea Glover    140

Renea Glover
Posted

Breanna I remember being scared I messed up my sleeve too. Im still learning but I know its about pacing ourselves a lot of things will be trial and error but We still have to eat or your body will shut down and go into starvation mode. Have to find the right balance and sipping thru a straw helps me too. Good luck you can do it

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theantichick    2,204

theantichick
Posted

I highly recommend therapy if you have access. I started working with a therapist about my food issues before surgery, and it's made a world of difference.

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Renea Glover    140

Renea Glover
Posted

I saw someone as well pre-surgery and I'm definitely looking into it more now that I've realized the extent of it. I'm an emotional eater. I eat when I'm sad, happy, bored, ect but now I am aware and working on it.

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Renea Glover    140

Renea Glover
Posted

Are u still on puree foods or solids? In the beginning I could only tolerate small amounts of creamed Soup, Jello, broth, yogurt .. Its really trial and error Go at your own pace. Good luck

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lisa52    12

lisa52
Posted

I am really battling head hunger and have known that I have a food addiction for a long time. I really have to work on slowing down as I don't want to mess up my sleeve and I'm only 3 weeks out

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turtletoo    15

turtletoo
Posted

My first strategy when I feel "head hunger" is to sip on a glass of cold Water.

My second strategy is to chew on a strong minty gum...this really curbs my urge to snack.< /p>

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sarahb309    69

sarahb309
Posted

Was looking for support and found this thread! Almost like fate!

I need help! I "binged" today... of course it's not like I at a TON, but still not what I want!! I don't know what to do anymore when I get those insatiable cravings! Any tips??

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Renea Glover    140

Renea Glover
Posted

Sarah, How far out are you? I've done it too and felt super bad afterwards; it's what made me realize I really had a problem if I could do that after having this surgery something I wanted for so long. I cried and wrote down what I was feeling. It will get better don't be discouraged and stop trying you just have to figure out what works for you, I set alarms to remind me to eat and drink every couple of hours so I don't get hungry and make bad choices. I also find other activities to do to keep my busy so I'm not constantly thinking bout food, I'd also recommend a therapist or just having someone to talk to in general about what your going thru it helps to say it out loud or like I said write it down and re-read it to yourself will make up re-think the next time you feel the urge to do so. I literally had to start getting into the habit of throwing food away that was unhealthy or leftovers my kids didnt eat just so I wouldn't eat it. I hope some of this helps you. Good luck

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livvsmum    2,370

livvsmum
Posted

You are SO right. It was about 10 months post op when I had reached my goal and realized that the same old food issues were still here, I was just a much thinner person with an added layer of being terrified of regaining them, facing the issues. At that point I started going to therapy every single week with an eating disorder therapist. It's been over 3 years and I still go! It's made all the difference. I think the first step is doing just what you are - realizing there is a problem and trying to figure out how to fix it! Reach and get some professional help. I also found the books by Geneen Roth, particularly "When food is Love", to be very helpful.

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Renea Glover    140

Renea Glover
Posted

I am really battling head hunger and have known that I have a food addiction for a long time. I really have to work on slowing down as I don't want to mess up my sleeve and I'm only 3 weeks out

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It gets easier with time. I think in the beginning its just a compulsion and all we think about because what we just went thru but its really passing now. Honestly I barely think about it now nd only eat to fuel my body its like a chore now

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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    • LeighaTR

      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

      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

        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

        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. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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