Binge Eating Disorder and Digestive Surgery

Wrangling With Internal Demons Surgery Doesn't Cure

Nov 8, 2009

To relieve her pain of being overweight, Robin Moore sought relief with gastric bypass surgery. Though she lost 90 pounds, it wasn't long before the weight increased.

Like any other eating disorder, binge eating disorder is created from a score of factors, two of which are poor body image and low self-esteem topped off with a variety of anxieties and stress.

Robin Moore was on a journey. Gastric bypass surgery seemed to hold the cure. Unfortunately, Robin was to find out that there was more to maintaining weight loss than surgery.

Robin's Dilemma

"In 2001, I had gastric bypass surgery. After the surgery I lost 90 pounds. Within six months, which is when the physical effects of the surgery began to wear off, I was left with the mental/emotional mess I'd felt I always had been in. I started gaining," Robin explains.

What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

This is a surgical procedure through which the size of the stomach is decreased and part of the small intestine, where most of the calories and nutrients are absorbed is bypassed. Thus, only small amounts of food can be tolerated, and, fewer calories are absorbed. However, there are side-effects and lifestyle changes in diet and exercise need to be followed for success.

There is also a side-effect known as dumping. Certain foods pass too quickly through the remaining small intestine, causing severe diarrhea and other harsh symptoms. Death may also be an outcome due to blood clots which can travel and lodge in arteries, specifically within the lungs.

Learning About Binge Eating Disorder

Robin began to find relief from her misery when she happened to view the Dr. Oz program. "I saw a woman with BED who asked for help, and Dr. Stacey Rosenfield was brought on to explain to her what it was, how it needed to be managed and to assist her.

What I loved about the segment was that it was the first time that I had seen on TV someone showing how truly insane their behavior was around food. It seemed clear to me that the audience, thin people without weight issues, seemed horrified and able to comprehend that this wasn't just some slovenly person who couldn't just say no and put the cookie down. There is clearly a mental component to this and it is complex."

Acceptance

Robin has been able to identify how she has used food to cope with life. She chooses to find other coping skills and not food to navigate life's issues.

"I accept where I am today, and my goal is overall wellness and balance rather than a specific number on a scale - to be done with using food to cope with life and to make the best choices I can in any given moment while marking my progress by inches."

Turning Pain Into Empowerment

Given the stress companies are facing in the present day economy, it so happened that Robin was laid off. She decided to enroll in a certified coaching program.

"I have started a life coaching practice. I work with women who struggle with weight. Creating lives of confidence, ease and triumph - I can't imagine having a higher calling than being able to support women to clarify their goals and dreams and start taking steps toward making them happen.

Note to reader: If anything in this article raises a red flag, please see a licensed professional.

The copyright of the article Binge Eating Disorder and Digestive Surgery in Compulsive/Binge Eating is owned by Jeannie Delahunt. Permission to republish Binge Eating Disorder and Digestive Surgery in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.