Weight loss surgery is an excellent way for individuals to kickstart a healthier lifestyle, especially if you’ve tried different non-surgical methods and didn’t see any significant results or if you’re dealing with morbid obesity that is threatening your life.
Obesity can lead to many comorbidities, such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, or sleep apnea, which makes surgery not only an option, but a necessity
There are many other benefits that come with bariatric surgery and only your doctor will be able to determine which procedure is best for you.
However, bariatric surgery alone is not a solution to weight loss and there are many steps one can take to prevent becoming overweight before and after bariatric surgery.
Patients must change their dietary and lifestyle habits to maintain their results and prevent future weight gain. This is necessary not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to avoid any postoperative complications that put your health at risk, since overeating after bariatric surgery can hinder or undo what was done during the procedure.
Today, our team talks about overcoming food addiction after bariatric surgery and offers a few tips to help you reach your goals. Overeating, or binge-eating, is a serious issue in all circumstances and our team of doctors at LIMARP® want to make sure that you have all the information and attention necessary to treat this symptom that can be caused by other eating disorders.
Food addiction, like any other type of addiction, can be treated, but if it goes ignored for a long time, it can be hazardous to your health.
This article will focus on food addiction and how it can be dealt with, especially if you’re recovering from bariatric surgery. As always, we’d like to remind you that every case or situation is different, and if you’re struggling with food addiction or any other type of eating disorder, we encourage you to seek professional help or to talk to your doctor.
About Food Addiction
In simple terms, food addiction is an unhealthy relationship with food, especially junk or processed food, and some studies have, controversially, compared its severity to that of a drug addiction[1].
Food addiction can also be similar to overeating, which occurs when a person consumes more calories in relation to the energy they spend, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. This type of addiction may also be a symptom of an eating disorder, like binge eating disorder (BED) or bulimia nervosa.
It’s important to understand that millions of individuals suffer from this condition and if you are one of them, you are certainly not alone. A food addiction is a condition that develops over time, and can be caused by many different factors, including genetics, environment, and brain chemistry.
The reasons why food addiction has been compared to other addictions, such as drug and alcohol, is because of the “dopamine signal that affects the biochemistry of the brain”[2], especially when it comes to candy and sugary soda.
Signs or Symptoms of Food Addiction
Food addiction can manifest in many different ways and although there are no medical tests that can prove or signal this type of addiction, there are some common warning signs that can help you or your doctor confirm you’re dealing with food addiction. For example:
- Compulsive eating
- Secretive eating
- Obsession with food
- Frequent overeating
- Using food to numb emotions
- Eating even when you are not hungry
- Continuing to eat after you are full
- Feeling out of control when you are eating
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? If so, there are millions of others just like you. Our team at LIMARP® can help you change your habits and behaviors for lifelong success. Keep in mind that some of these symptoms may also be indicative of other underlying health conditions and we recommend you seek professional help to avoid self-diagnosis.
Like with any other type of addiction, it’s very important that it’s taken seriously because it can have serious repercussions on your health and lead to other conditions, like type 2 diabetes.
It can also be dangerous if you’re recovering from bariatric surgery. Most surgeries restrict or limit the amount of food that the stomach or intestine can process, either because of a bypass or size reduction, and overstimulating your organs with food can result in grave complications, such as organ puncturing, leakage, or internal bleeding.
Developing a Healthy Relationship with Food
Now that we have explored the signs of food addiction, let’s explore what can be done to manage this addiction until the point where you can finally beat it. Avoiding junk food is technically impossible, but what you can do is work to identify the types of food that triggers you, such as sugary food or fried food, as well as situations that can push you to seek comfort in excessive or unregulated eating habits.
This, of course, is easier said than done and our team at LIMARP® is fully qualified to help you navigate and deal with whatever issues that may be causing your food addiction. They can recommend steps or techniques you can follow to lead a healthier lifestyle. Some examples or behaviors you can follow to improve your relationship with food are the following:
- Eat when they are hungry
- Stop eating when they are full
- Do not obsess about food
- Do not feel guilty about eating
- Do not eat secretively
How to Overcome Food Addiction after Bariatric Surgery
If you are considering bariatric surgery or have already undergone the procedure, it is important to keep your dietary habits in check. The sooner you do this, the sooner you will develop healthy lifelong habits.
Here are a few recommendations that will help you move in the right direction:
- Seek help: Admitting you need help is an important first step. Doing so will help you understand you are not alone, and it will give you the power to make positive changes.
- Talk to a nutritionist: It is important to stay in contact with a nutritionist during your entire weight loss process. We have nutritionists on-staff who can guide you in the right direction.
- Consider talking to a life coach: A life coach is an excellent asset, no matter what your needs. These professionals can encourage you to perform at your highest level. Find a life coach who specializes in eating disorders, including food addiction.
- Attend support groups: Find a support group for those with food addiction. This can offer unparalleled emotional support and give you the strength necessary to succeed.
Contact Us to Learn More
If you’re battling with food addiction and need more information or professional guidance, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. We can help determine the right treatment for you. Contact us online anytime or give us a call at (619) 373-0229.
References
[1] Gordon EL, Ariel-Donges AH, Bauman V, Merlo LJ. What Is the Evidence for “Food Addiction?” A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2018 Apr 12;10(4):477. doi: 10.3390/nu10040477. PMID: 29649120; PMCID: PMC5946262.
[2] Avena NM, Rada P, Hoebel BG. Evidence for sugar addiction: behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2008;32(1):20-39. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2007.04.019. Epub 2007 May 18. PMID: 17617461; PMCID: PMC2235907.