It never leaves us

[Scarlet22]

Hi all!

I am a new kid-I have a thread in the newcomer's section as well to introduce myself. I am compulsive overeater first-and also a Vicodin addict.

I had gastric bypass surgery November 28th, last year-2006. Last year in August I weighed 383 and today I weigh 236 (It comes to me that maybe we don't post weight on this thread-if that is true-forgive me on that!).

The point is that I will ALWAYS be a food addict. Just because I have been re-routed-doesn't change that fact. They certainly didn't do brain-surgery on me (if only! LOL!).

In order to take care of myself for the rest of my life-I must always be up-front about this. I just wanted to say hi to all of you and give you a perspective of someone who had the surgery.

It's only a tool-just like recovery is a tool. It is still up to me each and every moment.

I still struggle like crazy with self-esteem issues and I isolate like there is NO tomorrow. I am lonely and suffering from my terminal uniqueness. I need to be here.

Thanks for listening!
Peace,
Scarlet

[cali]

HI Scarlet-
So glad you are here! I have not had the surgey but I realate to all of the same things-like needing to be up front and I definately relate to the self esteem and isolating issues. But the kicker is:

suffering from my terminal uniqueness

YUP!!!!!

I just want to welcome you aboard and look forward to more of your posts.

[Nina Kay]

Hi Scarlet and Welcome to the Eating Disorders Forum of SR. I'm glad that you've come here to share your experience, strength & hope. I am also a compulsive overeater and an all-around food addict. I know that I always have been and I always will be, no matter what. I've never had the surgery, so I really appreciate you telling us that you know that it is just a tool and not a cure. I am happy for you that you've lost so much weight and I know that it will take alot of conviction to continue to lose the rest. You still have to want it and you still have to use the tool to get to the goal that you desire. I too, have real problems with low self-esteem and isolation.
I'm glad that you've come here, so that you don't have to be alone anymore. We are all here with you and we can understand what you're going through with the food issues and everything related, from our own personal experience. Please keep coming back and sharing with us as often as you can.
(((((((((((((Welcome Hugs))))))))))))))

[Pony]

Welcome to this forum Scarlet. I am glad you stopped by our little home here. Thanks for sharing with us your path to recovery. I pray for your continued success. That is great that you have lost that weight. My mom is supposed to have that surgery sometime soon. (waiting on insurances and etc.) I am hoping that she has as much success as you have had. You are right in saying that if you are not careful and indeed realize that your ED is not cured by simple surgery. It takes a lifetime of changes and retraining our habits that we have learned. Also digging through and dealing with the emotional issues that surround our using food as a drug.

I am an emotional overeater as well. It's definately not easy .

[Scarlet22]

Thanks Cali!

I am glad I found this place!
Peace

[Scarlet22]

Thanks so much for the welcome! I know it will make all the difference knowing there is SUPPORT!!


Peace

[Scarlet22]

Thanks Pony!

I think the more support we have-and the more we can tell the truth about this crazy disease-the better chances we have to really make it!

Peace,

[ladyamalthea]

Scarlet,

Sorry I'm late with this, but I am a compulsive overeater too. Some of us have started a thread where we journal our food consumption for the day, and I'm going to give it a try just to see if it helps me to be accountable in some way... other than just being accountable to myself and my health.

My husband was thinking about getting a lapband. Thanks for your perspective.

*hugs*

[Scarlet22]

Hey LadyAmalthea-thanks very much! Journaling our food is a HUGE thing. I use Fit day every single day. I not only need to watch what I eat-but it's critical that I get in my protein numbers every day to remain healthy.

Thanks for your support!
Peace,

[BigSis]

It was actually my serious consideration of some sort of WLS that got me into OA... I need to give this a try first - especially with "alcoholism" listed as a "side effect" to WLS! I am already an alcoholic, and worry that whether the band or rerouting, I might end up "going back out" - today, that is too big a risk for me.


Thank you for your post, Scarlet... I love hearing that this is more than physical. (((hugs)))