Donali inspired me to start this new thread. She has been providing information to us regarding Morbid Obesity being a disease, which is a very powerful topic for all of us.

Lately I've been discovering that there are many different categories that we fit in, so I was wondering what category you are in. I don't have labels for the categories, but let me start by telling you why I am obese.

First, my family history includes severe mental illness (Mom, aunt, etc.) I inherited a branch of mental illness - Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which had me extremely ill in my youth. My panic attacks have been under control for years, but I still have many anxiety-related problems, one being that I never stop thinking, and at night, the thoughts are consumed by food. Part of the reason I'm obese is becaseu I can't fight the mental struggle to eat for long periods of time. That part of my brain is stronger than the sensible part.

But my biggest problem is portion control. I'm obsessed by enormous quantities of food. I simply don't understand how anyone could order just one taco, or have a small serving of anything. With me, it's all or nothing. I would rather fast all day than to eat one chicken thigh. It's torture. A half gallon of ice cream is two servings. A family dinner is two servings.

And mine is all a night time disorder. Someone baked us fresh Cookies, all warm and steamy, and I didn't even look at them. I don't give a damn about food during the day. I feel like a monster.

Welcome to LBT ChiennesDad! Good Luck on your surgery tomorrow.

For the most part, the question of why we are fat is relevent, so that we might be able to recognize what is happening, and work to avoid it happening again.

Much of obesity is caused by emotional issues, and just because we can no longer stuff ourselves to oblivian does not make those issues go away. Recognizing the why, is an important first step. And since much of it is emotional, realizing we are not alone, in our reasons, and reactions to things in our lives--is a comfort and an encouragement---a form of support.

Most of us here chose the band---some are still working towards it, but having someplace we can lay out the why of how we ended up this way is very therapuetic.

The band has made a world of difference in my life, but the head games that got me here, are still there! You just have to recognize them for what they are, and finally figure out that burying it beneath the pounds is not getting rid of it!

Once again, hope you have a very uneventful surgery and recovery, check in when you get over to bandland and let us know how you did!!

Kat

ChiennesDad,

Good luck tomorrow, you will be glad you did. Just look at all the success stories on here and it's a no-brainer.

Take care and let us know how you're doing!

-Becky

Why am I fat?

Because I eat too much. Once I start it seems I can't stop. I don't know if I have any emotional reasons why I eat because I pretty much eat for every reason and I really never went through any real traumas in my past and had a pretty normal upbringing). I love food (or at least I think I do). Sometimes I don't want to eat anymore, I feel funny waiting for my dh to leave the room so I can sneak two more cookies... It's an addiction for me, this is why I know the band will help me control what amount I can eat and will allow me to feel full quicker so I won't look for more food - I never feel full. I'm looking forward to that new feeling. Making the right food choices is very important too. I'm clearing my house of my dh's foods (putting in the garage under lock and key!) He understands, he doesn't have a weight problem and loves to eat goodies. I bought him a treasure chest and putting a chain and lock on it with all his food. He thought that was cool!

Good suggestion

I think I just might try that. I am not banded yet, but I know I will still have to deal with all of my issues afterwards. I know that it won't just go away...the head hunger.

Thanks

Carrie, I got this from another member on another thread. It is a book that helps with head hunger and other underlying issues that keep you from sucessfully keeping weight off. It is called The Beck Diet Solution. I ordered it online...I can't wait to get it.....but if you do a search she has a link were you can read the first chapter of the book.

I really cannot pin point exactly what happened. When I was in shape and feeling good about how I looked, I seemed to only attract the jerks while dating. Many years of bad relationships, I started letting myself go at 30 years old. Weight started going up. I met the man of my dreams...with this extra weight...at my heavest weight of 170. I am 5'7". I just kept going up after we got married. Baby....another 70Lbs. About 8 to 10lbs up per year. I have topped off at 273. I looked at my reflection and did not recognize how out of control this became. I was eating what ever I wanted ...... because I was happy and safe in my relationship. I would get mad if I tried to diet and all of the effort and sticking to the books on these diets and SO little would come off from my efforts. Very frustrating. The quantities just started getting larger. My obesity problem is definitely from a combination of things that have taken over. It is time to get back into the saddle and take control. Too many things in my life have been taken away from this size I have become. I pray this lap band is the tool that will allow me to overcome this battle. Best of luck to everyone struggling with this Dis... Ease.

Okay, I'm going to say it... how many people use way too much butter. I mean w a y too much?

Thanks! I'm going to go search for the book right now. I know I need some help with the head hunger. Had a perfect example of that the other day. Had a 4th grader who made me madder than a...er...hornet. Of course, I can't really vent my anger, but I was dying for something really, really crunchy...and I'd just eaten lunch!

*raising hand* Yep...that would be me. Drowning biscuits and rolls in butter...lots of it.

I'm more of a dipper....ketchup, bbq sauce, hot sauce, dressings...italian....ranch....blue cheese...french...etc..

tartar sauce, duck sause, sweet n sour sauce, cream cheese, salsa, cheese melted....hot fudge...etc.....

I know I have to say goodbye to lots of these...which I'm ok with....butter....definitely...melted...dip...dip..dip...

darn it

I'm more of a dipper....ketchup, bbq sauce, hot sauce, dressings...italian....ranch....blue cheese...french...etc..

tartar sauce, duck sause, sweet n sour sauce, cream cheese, salsa, cheese melted....hot fudge...etc.....

I know I have to say goodbye to lots of these...which I'm ok with....butter....definitely...melted...dip...dip..dip...

darn it

You sound like my husband! i tell him all the time I think he would eat anything with hot sauce on it.

I do the butter thing though. If it tastes good with a little butter on it, it's even better with a LOT of butter...and I do mean LOT!! Another thing I will have to be careful of once I have my surgery...:faint:

Why am I fat,

I don't like to cry or hurt people so I stuff it down, I stuff it down until all my problems turn to sh*t (literally)...

Lana, I am the same and am slowly changing (with occasional leaps). The band will absolutely force you to address that issue. It's so hard. Definitely harder than the operation and diets but at least you know what you're going to have to deal with.

Ok day number 7 of breaking my dip...dip...dipping...addiction..

~my withdrawals are gone...

~my mindless thinking is gone(you know when you put the sauce or grab next thing you know its on the plate or you've already swallowed)

~And the Beck Diet Solution book suggested I do flash cards with the most important 10 reasons why I want to loose weight.......it was like facing reality...you can do more...

but reading them daily...

does make your mind stronger..~

Lana 24 - I am with you. I avoided pain and my feelings at all cost, and cost it did! The weight was like the icing to seal all those feelings inside of me.

Thank God I am in therapy too. I am slowly letting those feelings out. Peeling layer by layer of past emotion from my very being. When I finally get to the core I will be really a strong and vital me, but it really hard work getting there.

Lana 24 - I am with you. I avoided pain and my feelings at all cost, and cost it did! The weight was like the icing to seal all those feelings inside of me.

Thank God I am in therapy too. I am slowly letting those feelings out. Peeling layer by layer of past emotion from my very being. When I finally get to the core I will be really a strong and vital me, but it really hard work getting there.

I know that being aware is only a small part of the battle, but with my band I will be ready for WAR!