Emotional Eating Resources

Been to this site off and on for ten years!  Finally have made a decision to have the bypass procedure, tentatively scheduled for the end of September.  I have always wondered how to "fix my brain".  Does anyone have any good resources, book titles, etc. on how to deal with emotional issues/stress/boredom/weather changes (lol) etc. after surgery when food is not an option?  I'm making dietary changes, taking supplements, etc. as practice for after surgery, but this is something that concerns me alot.  It's not just the food for me...I'm a junkie!

 Geneen Roth has a great book called "
Women Food and God" Its not religious like the name implies. just really honest.

Thank you!  Don't laugh, but I actually bought that book two years ago.  I couldn't handle it, or implement it but intellectually I knew it was fantastic.  After my appointment with the bariatric dietician yesterday I pulled it out again.  Today I practiced mindful eating during my noon meal.  I'm shocked at how completely satisfied I am with about 1/3 of what I would normally eat!  Thank you so much for the recommendation, I'm inspired to read more!

It's best to face "your demons" that cause you to eat too much prior to surgery.  The surgery is only a tool towards wt loss. Maintenance of your wt loss REQUIRES behavior modification.  So, if you have life traumas that trigger your emotional eating, you need to talk to a professional to get these issues resolved.  You'll likely need to find something to keep your brain and hands busy during those times you want to unnecessarily eat.  Get a new hobby, expand some current interests, etc.  I know I worked on a 290 page book I called Cattery Management during my first 7 months post op. This took up about 4 hours of each day and helped a lot.  Another woman in one of my support groups started her own jewelry company and travels to some fairs, and other venues where she sells her art jewelry. She also found an online site to sell it too.  You'll likely need to talk to a professional to figure out any deep seated reasons for eating too much.  Unless you find the issue at fault and begin the resolution process, your post op life will likely be more challenging than it needs to be. DAVE

Thank you so much!  Also checked out your web site....really amazing information!

I'd highly recommend you attend support groups for wt loss surgery patients. It's here you'll learn a wealth of information about possible post op issues, tips on cooking, and how others face their challenges.  It's at these meetings you'll also hear stories about other post ops challenges they've faced, like poor body image, cross addiction to alcohol, etc.  I know more multiple post ops who have sought conseling for these issues and others.  So with potential for some post op challenges (like depression, anxiety, hair loss, etc.) it's best to resolve your current issues to the best of your ability before surgery.  I doubt you can find a DIY book to resolve this issue yourself.  I've had professional counseling for issues in my life, and I don't regret it one bit.  Good luck. DAVE

I just read Shrink Yourself (breakfree from emotional eating forever by Peter Gould,M.D.

It was a good easy read and helped me rethink things alot. I did not deal with my emotional eating the first time around now I am 2 months post op of a revision surgery. I am determined to do the work to fix my mind this time around.

Good Luck!!