My self-diagnosis is food and alcohol addiction sadly I have earned this the hard way. I have been involved with AA and OA and have 20 + years recovery in AA and have opened hundreds of meetings in AA.
I joined OA about 10 years ago and made some good friends and with the help of the program and staying connected with fellow OA members and lots of exercise lost over 60 lbs and kept between 30 and 40 LBS off for about 6 years. When my knee failed me and I needed to have it replaced I gained back almost all of the weight. Knee recovery was not great and it has taken years and lots of PT to have better mobility and I do walk every day.
I met with Bariatric Psychologist required for my surgery and she was concerned about my addictions. I met with her again and due to covid (most not accepting new patients) she was unable to recommend anyone who deals with food addictions. After scouring the internet, the psychology today had some eating disorders specialist I left dozens of messages with two return calls. One who had very little time in the field and the other who I made an appointment with was doing FTF and was in practice over 40 years I was excited. This person was interesting to say the least we met in person and they were heavier than I am and told me they couldn’t see me needing surgery. I was then asked if I had ever practiced mindful eating or low carb diets and, also ask if I was open to hypnosis. Needless to say, I’m not going back. I also called a number of the bariatric centers around the state to see if they could recommend anyone with no success. I have not found people who treat other forms of addictions to be helpful around my eating compulsion.
My BMI is around 37 and just want to have a more normal relationship with food. And have hope that the surgery will help with the compulsion but I know it won’t be easy.
Can anyone relate and or have any feedback for me on my journey?
J
I joined OA about 10 years ago and made some good friends and with the help of the program and staying connected with fellow OA members and lots of exercise lost over 60 lbs and kept between 30 and 40 LBS off for about 6 years. When my knee failed me and I needed to have it replaced I gained back almost all of the weight. Knee recovery was not great and it has taken years and lots of PT to have better mobility and I do walk every day.
I met with Bariatric Psychologist required for my surgery and she was concerned about my addictions. I met with her again and due to covid (most not accepting new patients) she was unable to recommend anyone who deals with food addictions. After scouring the internet, the psychology today had some eating disorders specialist I left dozens of messages with two return calls. One who had very little time in the field and the other who I made an appointment with was doing FTF and was in practice over 40 years I was excited. This person was interesting to say the least we met in person and they were heavier than I am and told me they couldn’t see me needing surgery. I was then asked if I had ever practiced mindful eating or low carb diets and, also ask if I was open to hypnosis. Needless to say, I’m not going back. I also called a number of the bariatric centers around the state to see if they could recommend anyone with no success. I have not found people who treat other forms of addictions to be helpful around my eating compulsion.
My BMI is around 37 and just want to have a more normal relationship with food. And have hope that the surgery will help with the compulsion but I know it won’t be easy.
Can anyone relate and or have any feedback for me on my journey?
J
