Addicted Anyone?

[Guest guest]

I am a 59 year old male who is considering the RNY procedure

of gastric bypass surgery.

I did not gain weight because I ate too much of the wrong foods,

neglected to exercise and put on a few pounds every year to suddenly

realize I was overweight. My problem is that I am addicted to

food. Food is at the center of my life. Everything revolves around

food. I have no friends, no family, no hobby. I live alone and don't

cook, I eat mostly restaurant food - either eat in or carryout.

Several years ago I had occasion to attends several AA meetings.

That was a revelation. I discovered that thankfully I am not an

alcoholic, but I do have the same relationship to food as an

alcoholic has to alcohol.

I was not always this way. I use to be very active. Through my 20s,

30s, 40s and early 50s I was always on the go - off on one adventure

vacation or another. I spent the week planning the weekend's outing -

and it almost always involved sports or other outdoor recreation.

I've always had a healthy appetite. Sure I'd eat 3,500 to 4,500

calories at a single sitting, but I would burn it off on a 100

mile bicycle ride the next day. Then because of changing

circumstances, all that gradually trailed off. While I still have

the big appetite, I got rid the bike long ago.

Since then I have had some success at losing weight. There's a local

weight loss clinic that specializes in high-protein liquid diets

that they put you on for an extended period. I was very successful

with that, until they insisted I start eating solid food again.

Sorry to say, left to my own devices, I fell right back into the

same bad habits (like a drug addict who kicks his habit in rehab but

returns to the old neighborhood). See, to me, there is a very

definite distinction between hunger and craving. Hunger is a

temporary, natural condition that can be rectified by eating until

satisfied. Craving is an entirely different animal. Hunger I can

deal with, but while my cravings can be put off for the moment with

considerable amounts of food, they are never really satisfied.

My biggest fear is this: I have the surgery, and for some time I am

able to follow the regimen. I lose some weight and I'm pleased with

my success. But soon enough the novelty wears off, and I want to

return to my old eating habits, but I can't because I will literally

get sick to my stomach. Then the cravings set in, and with only a 6 -

8 ounce pouch for a stomach, I will be helpless to confront them.

I know this sounds overly dramatic, but I'm trying to make a point.

Is there anyone out there who has had the surgery who knows what I'm

talking about? Does anyone know someone who has had the surgery and

wishes they didn't, in other words someone who failed?

Waiting to hear your experiences. Thanks to all who reply.

VeryJuniper