Question:
IS RNY EFFECTIVE FOR BINGE EATERS & COMPULSIVE OVEREATERS?
I'm scheduled for RNY, but keep wondering if a duodenal switch would be better for me. I'm a compulsiver overeater and binger. BMI is 61. What's your experience? Thank you for your help!!! — Nancy H. (posted on October 19, 2002)
October 19, 2002
The only thing I can tell you is if you overeat, you'll get sick to your
stomach -- feel so lousy for about 2 hours that you won't want to do it
again. Having said that, I understand it is possible, over time, to
stretch your stomach out large enough to gain a lot of weight back if you
keep overeating.
— Darlene P.
October 19, 2002
I am still pre-op, but I have chosen to pursue the DS for some of those
same reasons. I also am at a higher BMI=70 and I know I am not a good
"dieter". So if I happen to be in a compulsive mood, I will not
cause major damage if I happen to indulge. I will just pay for it by being
in the bathroom for most of the next day. I have researched the Duodenal
Switch procedure enough to know that it is right for me. Only you know
what is best for you. Feel free to contact me if you are looking for info
on this surgery. =)
— ImANewDee
October 19, 2002
Surgery is just a tool. If you are seriousely compulsive, you will eed
more than surgery. Meds, therapy and surgery give you the tools.
— faybay
October 19, 2002
I had both of those problems and I'm doing pretty good. I may or may not
get to goal but I'm down almost 157 with 33 to go. Yes, occassionally I
still overeat and hurt, but not often. For me I'm honest about what
triggers "my" overeating and most of the time it's carbohydrates
that make me want to eat (even when I'm not hungry). All of us have
something that will trigger us to eat when we should'nt be it emotional or
food triggers. Be honest with yourself and avoid those triggers "if
possible". This surgery makes dealing with the "physical
triggers" so much more easy. :)
— Danmark
October 20, 2002
Nancy,
I read your post. I thought it was a very forward thinking question to ask
going into this process.
One thing I would suggest, no matter what anyones choice of procedures are,
is to consider what got us to this point of severe obesity in the first
place.
I internally worked on that issue, as well as researching surgeons and
procedures as a pre op. I believe the surgery alone may not always be the
answer, and we have to be prepared to make emotional as well as physical
changes thru this process. IF we are to be truly successful.
I encourage you to continue seeking answers, perhaps thru a support group,
or a trained mental health counselor.
I wish you the best of luck,
— Nene B.
October 21, 2002
A very very good question. I was and still am a compulsive eater. I am
now 7 months post op RNY and yes I can find ways to eat compulsively now.
I compulsively snack on peanuts, or cheese. My weight loss has slowed down
considerable. However I have lost 112 lbs and my health is in much better
shape than before surgery. I cant eat 3 platefuls so even though I have
trouble w/snacking...I am happy with my decision to have the RNY. If you
are a compulsive eater surgery alone will not cure the problem. I find
myself still stuggling with the mind games I had to have with myself with
every other dieting attempts I had made in my life. If I could find the
time I would go to a nutritionist/psych...for help with this and I would
encourage others to do so early on as post ops.
— SARose61
October 21, 2002
Hi Nancy, I think RNY is effective for binge eating at first. After
surgery for the first 6 to 8 months, no, you can't binge, or you will throw
up and feel like total crap, a great deterent. But if your like me and find
that after your a year out, and can eat more, you may want to find
counseling. I am a compulsive binge eater, and really struggle with it
EVERYDAY. Although I can nowhere near eat as much as before surgery, I can
still get in stuff that basically sabaotages me. I don't do this everyday,
but if I have any type of stress or emotional situation I can eat a bunch.
Binge eating and compulsiveness are head issues, not stomach issues, RNY
will not cure them.
— Carey N.
October 21, 2002
I am over three years post-op from a lap MGB with Dr. Robert Rutledge. I
was and continue to be a compulsive overeater. I fight it daily. I have
been in counseling since 1995 and am maintaining my weight loss of 190 lbs
- now weigh 138 - but I still fight the urge to binge. Thank God it is
impossible for me to put a lot in my stomach at one time, but I could eat
every hour or so if I allowed myself to do so. I will always have to fight
this and am determined this time to succeed. I tend to fluctuate between
138 and 145 but I never go over 145 (at least not yet). Even after 3 years
I'm still afraid I'll regain the weight but my phychiatrist says a little
fear is a powerful tool.
— Ellen B.
October 22, 2002
Thanks to everyone for their answers. I have been in therapy on/off for 10
years and am on anti-depressants for mild depression, but I still struggle
with compulsive overeating. My counselor, who I've seen for the last 8
years feels I am a good candidate for surgery and I've done all the
research on all the different types of surgery, but still just don't know
if DS or RNY is best. Today I tend to think RNY because DS will not deter
me from overeating. Anyway, I'm so thankful for this forum and for all of
you!!
— Nancy H.
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