Kicking the addiction...

[Big Fred 0]

I agree with the premise of finding out what caused the eating problem to begin with. I was banded on 10/25/07 and will have my first fill on 12/12.

The first three weeks on liquids went OK (really wasn't great) then onto mushies, I am now onto regular foods. I guess the swelling is going down because I feel that I can eat more.

To date I have lost 50 ponds, 25 pre-band and 25 post-band, this last week I have not lost anything. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the weight that I lost but I'm concerned the old habits will kick in.

The only thing that saves me is excersise, when hungry I go for a walk. When I get back the hunger has subsided. I guess this is a life long journey that we are all on.

I appreciate this site so much, it provides guidance and inspiration. This site and the monthly group sessions keeps me going and sane. Perhaps someday I will understand what brought me to this place but for now I'm working the band to it's fullest.

Thanks to all for being here and listening...............

[VegasGrace 1]

Addicted? Me too.

Just last night I ate... expelled it 3 times but kept eating.

I've got to kick this thing!!!!

I've done so good by giving up Pepsi, taco bell, McDonalds... but I am having such a hard time. When I eat, I want to rush and get as much in as I know it's coming back up.

I was even going to go thru the trash and get out the pecan pie from thanksgiving..... no...didn't do it.

Let me know if you cure your addiction.

[whosyadaddy 0]

I can relate-after cooking all day for Thanksgiving- I sat down to eat-mind you I served my self a small plate-and after 3-4 bites I was full-I literally said to myself-Thanksgiving sucks!!! ..

I just LOVE this quote! THanksgiving Sucks! Just how i felt!

BUt i sure didnt mind that i didnt sit around all night eating tums and feeling horrible.

[ParaGirl 71]

I know how everyone feels as far as being addicted to food. It sucks. I have caught myself shoveling food down my throat, and hiding the food containers and wrappers from my hubby. It is humiliating. But this is why we all got the band. It isn't a miracle though - sure wish it was. It is a tool to help us make better choices and to control the volume of food that goes into our gullet. I agree, it stinks, all the focus put upon food in our country. It is sick.

[lindata 1]

For me, my addiction to food is like a disease. I compare it to feeling like a drug addict (my dad has been sober for 15 years now) He stopped the drugs but his disease of addiction (head hunger for us I guess) tells him he can control it, that he can have just one bite, he deserves it. But he knows his life is better without drugs, He says that it is still a daily struggle sometimes to not turn to any substance as a coping mechanism.

I feel the same way about food. I did find relief from my compulsion and obsession from food by working the 12 steps in OA. I'm not endorsing this answer for everyone because we are all different. I'm simply stating that this I know has worked for me in the past. I lost 90 pounds on my own and the obsession was completely gone, I was relieved. However, I stopped working the program, life got in the way and I got cocky and thought I could do it on my own and I didn't need help anymore. I had it under control. Well I gained back 80 pounds in one year! Then my Doctor suggested the Lap-Band for me. She still asks that I go to OA meetings.

*rant*:whoo:

I keep thinking that if there was surgery that would help people quit drugs or alcohol becuase it was killing them, they would be required to go to AA meetings and go to rehab and stuff. Why is food different? Because it's socially acceptable? food is taxable? we are american gluttons? Why is there not stricter mental after care for WLS people? I'm disappointed in the after support that is encouraged or provided by my surgical team.

I know my band is a tool. And I need this tool. I had been successful on my own before but I was missing something. I'm hoping this band plus excercise will be my key. I also know that I need to be right in the head. I can't control my food. I'm an addict and I have a problem. Take what you like and leave the rest. thanks.

Totally agree with your sentiments!

By the way, when I said find a new addiction, I didn't really mean addiction! I was thinking about that last night and I thought oh, geez, someone's going to post about that. I just meant find something to keep your mind occupied, something that will take your mind off it, something you will like to do for hours at a time, that kind of thing!

[morningoasis811 1]

Hi Lindata, I totally get ya. Floating Compulsion or Addiction transfer is what I've heard it called. we're on the same page for sure!

[lindata 1]

Hi Lindata, I totally get ya. Floating Compulsion or Addiction transfer is what I've heard it called. we're on the same page for sure!

Oh wow, there's a NAME for what I have?! LOL! That's interesting. I'll have to look it up. Thanks Morningoasis.

[MichelleB 0]

I am in mourning. My best friend for 20 years has gone and I can't get it back---food. I am so grateful to find this discussion. I've literally shared some tears today thinking of what I was going to do with my time. What is going to get me through the good times and bad times, the boring times and the celebrations. food has always been there for me. I feel like I never got a chance to say goodbye. This is how I know I'm an addict.

[morningoasis811 1]

Hi MichelleB,

I feel the same way, I was advised by a mentor to allow myself to grieve the loss of this friend, feel it, go through it and learn new coping skills.

Your comments reminded me of something I read in my clinic's bariatric literature that really hit home on this topic and I found it to be inspirational once I had moved pass the grief:

"Losing certian foods is not deprivation - It is LIBERATION from the damage, pain and suffering they were causing your body. Celebrate their loss, don't mourn it!" -Kaye Bailey

I know it's still hard and of course I struglle with it, but this little mantra helps me think of the band as liberation, to help me do what I could not do alone.

[morningoasis811 1]

Sorry to post so much about addiction, it's just something I work on a lot and am really conscious of.

I just wanted share a book title that the Psychologist at my surgery clinic recommended that I read. After reading this thread I went through my therapy notes and found the title and decided to buy it and start reading it tonight.

Why Can't I Stop Eating?: Recognizing, Understanding, and Overcoming food Addiction (Paperback)

by [ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/104-1789117-5955955?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Ph.D.%2C%20Debbie%20Danowski]Ph.D., Debbie Danowski[/ame] (Author), [ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/104-1789117-5955955?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Pedro%20Lazaro%20M.D.]Pedro Lazaro M.D.[/ame] (Author) "What causes your physical cravings for food? ..."

[Oregondaisy 2,020]

I think fast forwarding through commercials is a great idea. I love my Tivo so I can do that.

Lap Band talk is my savior. I am addicted to sweets. It's like some crazy person comes out of me after a few days of being good. The crazy person wants sugar and wants it now! I don't keep anything in the house and that helps. I have almost stopped socializing with one of my best friends because every time I go over to her house, there are freshly baked Cookies, brownies, etc.

I have absolutely no will power if I see sweets.

[lindata 1]

I have absolutely no will power if I see sweets.

I have absolutely no willpower at all either - over anything bad really. I've decided dh needs to do the grocery shopping from now on because just the other day when I went in I got something I shouldn't have. I'm just not strong enough - yet.

[neveragain 9]

Grocery shopping is the pits. I hate it. I avoid doing it at all costs. I'm such a poor college student that it's insane. I can barely afford to shop anyway. haha. Thank god for "mom's cafe" that's just up the road. :-P