Understanding Triggers to Overeating

Posted by Dr. Nick Nicholson on February 1st, 2015

Obesity - despite what it may seem - does not happen overnight. It is true that some people tend to gain weight faster and easier than other people. But eating habits that have been ingrained in a person’s lifestyle do damage over time. As weight is gained, physical activity becomes harder to participate in and, like salt in the wound, the decreased physical activity only adds to the weight gain. It becomes an ever cycling spiral that is hard to get out of and many people find themselves in the position of having to do something drastic to release them from the weight and their corresponding health conditions.

Weight loss surgery has become mainstream in our society and for good reason. It is a relatively safe procedure that provides the obese patient with the tools to take back their life. But it is not a magic fix. If a patient is not committed to changing their life following surgery, ultimately the surgery will fail. In other words, the surgery - no matter which procedure is chosen - can limit the amount of food that is eaten but it will not fix a food addiction; and that is exactly what many people who are obese struggle with in their daily lives.

Food addiction - like any addiction - comes with its own set of triggers and it’s personal to everyone. Whether they are hungry or not, whether they’ve just eaten a meal and have no physical need or desire to eat, the food addicted person - when faced with their own trigger - will feel a compulsion to eat. And just like an alcoholic or drug addict, the food addict can find the compulsion very difficult, if not impossible, to ignore.

This is the part of the weight loss puzzle that absolutely must be addressed and dealt with if a weight loss surgery patient is ultimately going to be successful in losing weight and keeping the weight off. So while the surgery can fix the body, the patient must do what they have to do to manage and quiet their mind. That’s why it’s so important for weight loss surgery patients to:

See a professional. A mental health professional that specializes in food addiction or weight loss surgery can help the patient identify their food triggers so that they can begin to be addressed and new, healthier methods for facing the compulsion to eat can be integrated into their daily life.

Join a support group. No one understands what you are going through more than someone who is in, or has been in, your situation. Look to join a weight loss surgery support group or a food addiction support group. Do what you can to provide yourself the peer support you need to be successful.

Hire a nutritionist and/or trainer. Ultimately, bad habits need to be replaced with healthy habits. Working with professionals who can help you set food and exercise goals can help with motivation and identifying what works best for you now and in the long term.

About Author

One of the most experienced weight loss surgeons in the country – Dr. Nick Nicholson – along with a full staff of surgeons, nurses and other experienced clinicians, help patients reverse obesity with LAP-BAND, Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy and Revisions.