To Addicted

I am dieing. I am so scared to face the rest of my life.

Is it possible to be so addicted to food that you can never break it even if you have surgery and cant eat but you remain tormented every day of the rest of your life.

Go to overeatersanonymous.com or Google overeaters anonymous.  I participated in their program a few years ago and I learned a lot from it.  I use their tools to this day.  They are part of what has helped me along my journey of WLS.  Check it out.  You might find it pretty helpful. 

It is a little difficult at first.  But when you start to see the weight fall off the tables turn.  The addiction turns to eating the right things and feeling better.  It's like the addiction to food trades place with the addiction to eat healthier and watch the weight come off.

If you think you might be tormented, seek out a WLS counselor.

Brooke K

Marshall, please, pretty please consider post poning your surgery and get some therapy.  You just dont seem in the right head space.  It IS A BIG deal.  If you just arnt all in, it is bound to fail on you.  You may have not hit your bottom, you might just need some more time, more research about life afterwards, and some more internal modivation.

And this isnt to rip on you.  I have been where you are now.  I got my surgery finally 3 days ago.  And it is hard, not comfortable.  But living with it isnt that scary because I really did hit my bottom and I had no where else to go.  Right now, I really dont miss food.

I'm not afraid of failing. i am afraid of having these massive cravings and desires and not be able to do anything about them.

I didnt say you were afraid of failing.  Every question from you is a full panic about living with the new lifestyle.  And it isnt anything bad about you, it just makes me think that maybe it isnt the right time for you.  Maybe some talk therapy with someone who can spend alot of one on one time (like a therapist) dealing with some of these issues would make you feel more ready

but of course I cant tell what you are and are not ready for.  I am just giving the best advice I can for this situatiuon.  Would hate for you to go through with it and not be ready

I had my surgery 2 weeks ago today.  To date, I haven't had "massive" cravings but when I smell the aroma of certain foods it's like I say to myself "Gosh I wish I could have that".  But it's just a thought....those thoughts do pass...I know I won't get in trouble if I don't act out on that thought.   When I watch TV with the food commercials I have to turn away because watching them makes me hungry.  I think about missing those foods.   From what I have learned on these posts, you will be able to have those foods you enjoy, just only about 3-4-5 bites.   I think in the beginning it might be hard but as you lose weight and adjust, I think those cravings and desires will subside.  I always say to myself that I will deal with whatever when I cross that molehill.  You'll be okay....take it one day at a time and have a little faith.

The first 24-48 hours after surgery will suck:  you'll be gassy, crampy, uncomfortable, have all sorts of "what have I done" second thoughts & generally be unhappy.

The first 7-14 days after surgery you will have mental cravings for food---I think this is probably the most important time in the entire process---you MUST be able to get thru the first 2 weeks of liquid/mushies or you could really cause damage to yourself.  All of it is mental---the cravings will come from your mind, not your stomach (mostly).  You won't be physically hungry, but you will be mentally wanting the comfort that certain foods have provided you.

After those 14 or so days it becomes very, very, easy---at least for me.  The cravings will vanish---there may be some residual wants---especially if the food is right in front of you, but for the most part they vanish & your lifestyle becomes much, much better.  The simple feeling of being 50-70 lbs lighter, wearing clothes that haven't fit in years (and then suddenly they don't fit anymore b/c they are too big), and seeing dramatic changes in the mirror more than compensate for any need for food.

That being said, I agree with the others who don't think you may be mentally ready for this.  Just too much panic & uncertainty in the tone & message of your posts.