How to overcome food addiction/compulsion

I'm STILL struggling and it has everything to do with stress and my response to it. I eat compulsively, even when I'm eating the right foods, I eat too much or more accurately too frequently.  I've tried drinking, but I still have a strong pull to food.  I get my protein, I don't do simple carbs, but I will eat every hour or two, something, whether it is a protein bar or yogurt.  So I end up over my calorie count and a weight gain.  I don't keep junk food in the house, so I can't eat those, I'm sure I would if they were here. I've come to realize that this truly is about food addiction and compulsion.  I absolutely eat when I'm not hungry.  I can go for several weeks on track and losing, but then something bad will happen, creating a crisis and I go for the food.  It will stay that way for anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the crisis. I've currently gained 4 pounds and it feels there is no end in sight to my eating.  I absolutely feel powerless!  Suggestions?

 I'd see a therapist, so that she (or he) can help you sort out your triggers and how to respond to them better. 

I'm just a month out from having my surgery and it's hard for me to eat sometime. I'm sure that it has a lot to do with the pain that I'm still in from that large incision.

I get stressed because all I seem to think about is getting in enough protein. Drinking enough water. Trying to get pain relief. Trying to get in my vitamins and minerals. Trying to work a full 8 hour day...

I think after I heal some more and get a better grasp on things, my appetite will probably increase. If I find myself starting to gain weight, I'm going to go back to the pre-op diet and just have protein drinks, sugar free popsicles and sugar free applesauce until I get my thoughts together. That way I can eat every hour if I feel the urge and not worry about the calories. After the few pounds come off that I had just gained, I would start over and try to eat normal again.

Schedule an appointment with your psychologist and tell them about your stress and your mindless eating. I'm not a doctor, but it could be that you're an emotional eater and you need some tips on how to handle stress. Once you get the stress under control, the compulsion to eat will subside.

Let us know how things work out.

 The head stuff is, in my opinion, the hardest part.  If it is at all feasible I agree with the suggestion of finding a therapist. NOW is the time to tackle this.  Not in 6 months when you may be battling more regain.  Also, look for a local support group, possibly WLS related or over eaters anonomous or contact your local eating disorders organization and see what they have (these might be a financially more affordable choice if a therapist is too pricey).

Also, I do wish to give you kudos for several points.  Firstly, it sounds like you are working hard on healthy food choices and keeping junk out the house. Secondly, you are reaching out for help!  You have to give yourself credit for these positive factors.  It is all too easy to simply throw in the towel. I think if you keep this up, your long term journey has every chance of success.

All the best,

Andrea. 

To everyone who would suggest that I see a therapist, I am already in therapy, and to be honest it gives me insight.  For example, the therapist suggested that last bout of eating is to punish myself.  I think she is right, but that isn't helping me not do it.  I do need a support group, but I think I need an actual support group rather than a topic driven group, which most WLS groups around here are.  I am considering OA. 

I appreciate the support and encouragement and it is my goal to lose more weight and not to have regain, so I keep working at it.  I am trying one day at a time, but it feels like it needs to be one minute at a time.

 I do OA online meetings. They help. There are many different approaches to treating addiction. Simply "seeing a therapist" isn't always the best all-in-one solution. Give OA a try! If you want, feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to give you my experience with OA or answer any questions. 

 OA online....that holds great appeal to me.  how would i go about that?  

OA would be my suggestion.  I am a member of another 12-Step program that OA was modeled after and it saved my life.  I frequently read the OA material and know they can save lives as well if we are willing to do our part.

too many carbs makes me want to eat more and more.
I dump on simple carbs. or get RH.  But even complex carbs may be trouble for me.  My body does not care if they are complex, or "good carbs".  Carbs are carbs. sorry.
Most proteins bars are high in carbs. The so called "net carbs" are just marketing way to sell more IMO.
Yogurt - I like it - but it a slider food.  so if I eat it - I am ready to eat agian in 1 hr.  Unless I add some non-sluble fiber and proetins to it. (flax meal, whey isolate)
And so on.  It may ot be in your eead but in the carbs you are eating.

I had to give up most fruits.  yea, they are suppose to be good for us but my body still see them as carbs.

 This helps me:  schedule your eating times and write them down where you can see them and no matter what, don't eat before the set time.  You can start on an easy schedule and gradually increase the time between snacks or meals.  List the menu items and shop for those items.  Don't have extra food in the house.  Just eating when you aren't hungry and the extra carbs will cause you stress and guilt and it becomes a vicious circle.