I am 8 months out from surgery and I am binging on sugar and carbs. I lost 56 pounds but I can’t seem to go any further. I am finding it easier to eat the old foods and I’m terrified of this loss of control. I try every day to work on this problem. I journal, I read, I listen to podcasts. I start out saying no sugar today and before I know it, I am eating the wrong things. I want to go on a sugar detox but I’m so out of control I can’t even start. I literally hate my body and mind for being like this. I’m willing to try anything to overcome this. If anyone had this happen and found something helpful, please send your advice my way. I really feel like I’m about to lose it.

First of all, please stop being so hard on yourself! This is not easy and nobody's perfect. Secondly, have you considered therapy? I have seen a lot of WLS patients say that it has helped them deal with their long-standing food/eating issues (which a lot of us have).

I have been really disciplined about sticking with my plan and not eating anything I'm not supposed to since my surgery. Fear of dumping is a big part of that for me, but I know that the day will come when I eat something I'm not supposed to and I'll find out whether or not I get dumping syndrome. I'm afraid I won't and then I won't have that fear to keep me in line anymore.

The other thing that has really helped me, though, is Pinterest. No joke. I spend so much time on Pinterest finding healthy recipes that I actually want to eat. I've found tons of recipes that fit into my plan and taste delicious. I live alone, so when I make a recipe, I end up with many servings that I freeze for later, so my freezer is absolutely packed with easy, healthy meals. I'm currently working on clearing out some of those saved meals to make room before I try any new recipes. I have a whole list of healthy recipes that I can't wait to try.

Finally, I have healthy-ish treats every day. I have a major sweet tooth, so I don't think I could give up sweets altogether, but I eat treats that fit into my plan. I love Built Bars because they taste like candy bars, but they're high in protein and low in sugar. Built Bars are my favorite, but there are tons of delicious protein bars on the market that can satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your weight loss. No, it's not the healthiest thing you can eat, but it's better than eating an actual candy bar. I recently started eating chia seed pudding and I LOVE it -- there are tons of delicious ways to flavor it. Add some cocoa powder and it tastes like brownie batter. I also found a recipe for an amazing protein mug cake:

So I’m not going to say what most people would say on here. Food rules can help lose weight but there is a reason for a high frequency of regain. When the rules are relaxed, your body wants to make up for that time.

Rachel Goodman is a dietician who has a program on food freedom. She helps identify food rules and steer more towards intuitive eating with a nutritional focus. If you are 8 months out, this might be a good time to switch gears.

I have found that using flavored syrups in protein shakes, oatmeal, yogurt etc helps with cravings. I add unflavored protein and maple bourbon pecan skinny syrup. my daughter likes the peanut butter cup flavor. Idealfit has many flavor offerings for protein powder and I also looked into bariatric foodie's protein shake cookbook, available on amazon as it has recipes for ice cream, shakes and desserts. Good luck!

Well, how often is the bingeing happening? When I’m on my period, it hits me hard and I let my body have all the sugar it wants. The second it’s over, my body goes back to my learned habits and I can say no easily. I feel it too when I have work stress. Recognize what is triggering the need is what I’m trying to work on. *I’m almost at 8mos as well.*

I’m back. I was right in the middle of a meltdown when I posted earlier. I think I do need therapy because I have a history of bulimia and binge eating. It’s the way I cope with anxiety which I am having a lot of lately. I feel like a junkie looking for a fix and I am overwhelmed with the strength of the urges for sweets. I try to keep the house free of junk but sometimes I purposely buy it. I feel ashamed even though I know that I have a problem. I have also started abusing marijuana which I never had a problem with before. I can’t drink because that physically hurts my stomach but I have been using edibles to get high more than a few times a week. I think because I had my surgery during the pandemic I was able to slip through the screening process. They didn’t ask certain things and I didn’t volunteer them. I’m not sure what I should do. Do I see a therapist that specializes in addiction or just a regular one? I haven’t told my surgeon any of this but I think I will start by talking to his nurse. She is really compassionate. Maybe they can direct me to the right type of counseling. I feel that if I don’t I’m going to end up most likely with exercise addiction again too. I see the patterns starting in my mind of making these really unrealistic exercise goals and I’ve hurt my body in the past from exercising past the normal amount. I can’t go through that again.

21 minutes ago, perfektlynrml said:

I’m back. I was right in the middle of a meltdown when I posted earlier. I think I do need therapy because I have a history of bulimia and binge eating. It’s the way I cope with anxiety which I am having a lot of lately. I feel like a junkie looking for a fix and I am overwhelmed with the strength of the urges for sweets. I try to keep the house free of junk but sometimes I purposely buy it. I feel ashamed even though I know that I have a problem. I have also started abusing marijuana which I never had a problem with before. I can’t drink because that physically hurts my stomach but I have been using edibles to get high more than a few times a week. I think because I had my surgery during the pandemic I was able to slip through the screening process. They didn’t ask certain things and I didn’t volunteer them. I’m not sure what I should do. Do I see a therapist that specializes in addiction or just a regular one? I haven’t told my surgeon any of this but I think I will start by talking to his nurse. She is really compassionate. Maybe they can direct me to the right type of counseling. I feel that if I don’t I’m going to end up most likely with exercise addiction again too. I see the patterns starting in my mind of making these really unrealistic exercise goals and I’ve hurt my body in the past from exercising past the normal amount. I can’t go through that again.

I have been looking for a therapist and having a lot of trouble finding someone who treats eating disorders (I'm not sure I have an actual eating disorder, but I certainly have issues with food that I need to deal with) and takes my insurance. I'm guessing your best bet would be to find a therapist who treats addiction and/or eating disorders. Your surgeon or his nurse might be able to recommend someone who has helped other WLS patients. I'm finding that there aren't a lot of therapists who are experienced in treating WLS patients, unfortunately. We have kind of a special situation, so it would be nice to talk to someone who understands that.

It is good that you are recognizing these patterns and taking steps to address them!

I agree with seeing a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. I would also stop the edibles. It's pretty well documented that marijuana leads to overeating, so that's probably not helping you. You mentioned you have anxiety... make sure you're getting that fully treated with prescription medication/therapy and you're not using marijuana to self-medicate. Your surgery center must have a therapist who can see you for a few sessions and/or refer you to someone.

Edited May 10, 20215 yr by lizonaplane

another thought - Kelly brogan has a dietary protocol that has shown to heal parasympathetic disorders like anxiety, depression, adhd. It’s basically clean eating with no gluten or dairy. Giving it a shot this week! I also bought her book - Own Your Self

1 hour ago, WanderingHeart said:

another thought - Kelly brogan has a dietary protocol that has shown to heal parasympathetic disorders like anxiety, depression, adhd. It’s basically clean eating with no gluten or dairy. Giving it a shot this week! I also bought her book - Own Your Self

I just downloaded this book. I’m going to work on it tonight. Still very anxious and fighting the urge to take an edible. I know why I’m doing it. It takes away all my thought and I escape from my anxiety for a few hours. I’m going to search for a therapist that will take my coverage tomorrow.

I hear you. Have some compassion for yourself!! I’ve been enjoying the KB smoothie which has a decent amount of protein with no dairy and it has helped my digestion.

mmm. I had these stressful interviews coming up and consequently spent 2 weeks eating badly. Like takeaways and chocolate etc. When I tried to go back to my healthy eating it was so difficult. It took a couple of days / a week to restrict myself but I managed to get back to it . I slowly reduced my portions and ate more protein. I felt terrible during this period and avoided weighing myself but I got through it. Give yourself time and you'll be back on track.

On 5/8/2021 at 7:39 PM, perfektlynrml said:

I have also started abusing marijuana which I never had a problem with before. I can’t drink because that physically hurts my stomach but I have been using edibles to get high more than a few times a week.

Hi! I am so sorry that you are going through this and im hoping that you get to the light at the end of the tunnel soon.

I wanted to comment because i do have much experience with anxiety and am prescribed medical marijuana by my doctor for anxiety so i can relate that it is a big help with emotions.

A trick i learned is to brush your teeth if you are feeling cravings coming on. It gets rid of any taste of the marijuana that would still be in your mouth and put a little flavor in your mouth and "resets" your taste. Also, things tend to not taste good right after you freshly brush your teeth. It might be worth a shot! (im sure this trick might also work for any craving, not just after marijuana consumption)

Good luck on the rest of your journey!

I have been doing better. I finally stopped the cravings and I actually stopped the edibles too. I started taking walks and that seemed to give me some relief from the anxiety I was experiencing. I think I was panicking because I have been realizing that I am never eating certain things again. It made me want to eat the things I could to feel “normal”, if that makes sense. I’m going to try to be less hypercritical of the ups and downs. I did lose 60 pounds which is something to be proud of. I’m in a much better physical state then I was nine months ago. I was kind of feeling like a stranger in my smaller body. This is what happens when you are disconnected from yourself. You’re losing weight but it’s like it isn’t happening to you because you don’t feel like you belong in your own body. To help with that depersonalization I am doing yoga to be more self aware. I have a lot of work to do emotionally. Much more so than physically it seems.

On 5/18/2021 at 10:27 PM, perfektlynrml said:

I have been doing better. I finally stopped the cravings and I actually stopped the edibles too. I started taking walks and that seemed to give me some relief from the anxiety I was experiencing. ... I was kind of feeling like a stranger in my smaller body. This is what happens when you are disconnected from yourself. You’re losing weight but it’s like it isn’t happening to you because you don’t feel like you belong in your own body. To help with that depersonalization I am doing yoga to be more self aware. I have a lot of work to do emotionally. Much more so than physically it seems.

There is a lot here. I'm glad you're doing better. Exercise is really good for your mood! I'm glad it's working for you! And losing weight does make us feel ill at ease in our new bodies. I remember when I lost 100 lbs years ago I didn't feel like me anymore... I couldn't figure out how to dress myself, I didn't know how to sit anymore, or how to hold myself... everything was just wrong. I just heard a podcast about this. It's from Australia, but I can't remember the name of it. Anyway, you're so right that most of the work is emotional. Good for you that you're facing it head on!

On 5/10/2021 at 9:51 PM, perfektlynrml said:

I just downloaded this book. I’m going to work on it tonight. Still very anxious and fighting the urge to take an edible. I know why I’m doing it. It takes away all my thought and I escape from my anxiety for a few hours. I’m going to search for a therapist that will take my coverage tomorrow.

If you find it as difficult as I did to find one local keep in mind that one good thing that came out of this pandemic is telehealth. You just have to find someone In the same state and you can do phone conferences with them.