You HAVE to get your Head Straight!

Excellent advice.

I think there's a direct correlation to those people who deal with their emotional demons (success) and those who don't (failure to hit goal and/or regain).  

Shrinks have a really bad rap in this country.  We all have at least some mental components that led us to overeat so much (past our biologies and genetics).  If you don't deal with them ahead of time, they will come back to manipulate you again....

I've seen it time and time again on these boards and in my support groups.  And you're right about the comfort aspect - that's why I encourage people to not continue to use food as a source of emotional satisfaction after surgery, to not allow food to be a major source of pleasure.  Replace that source of pleasure with respect, pride, freedom, social acceptance, exercise, physical mobility, sex, flexibility, accomplishment, etc.

I hate the term "shrinks".  It brings to mind a Freudian psychiatrist who has you come into a room, lay down on a couch and just "talk".  A good therapist is so much more than that.  A good therapist will ask you the right questions, the hard questions and challenge you to look at your issues.  They will listen between the lines and help you identify your triggers and stressors.  They will call you on your BS and not let the the easy statements suffice, but make you dig deep.  You will alternately love them and hate them...all in the space of one hour.  Word of mouth is a good way to find a good therapist.  Ask them questions...how long have they worked with people who have food issues...if never or very little...run like hell...lol!  Ask them what kind of therapy technique they use...listen for the word behavorial...and run like hell again.  The NUT and surgeon is helping you change your behavior....you need much more than this.  Don't use a psychiatrist...ok...now some folks will yell at me about this...but do you know that psychiatrists get VERY LITTLE training in ongoing therapy...they prescribe meds.  I like a good clinical psychologist and a clinical social worker.  Working out your issues is REALLY important....