Hello Fellow Bandsters,

I wanted to share some things I have been going through this last week. I was banded on July 13th and have been very excited about it since. However, I am also using this time to face some tough issues that I have not been able to do on my own. I decided to do the surgery to force myself into facing my demons. I have used food to comfort me, to lift my spirits or to just celebrate a monumental moment in my life or someone close to me. Prior to surgery, I started to understand that my relationship with food had become unhealthy. In social situations with food, I had anxiety about whether I would get enough to satisfy me and not embarrass myself with a heaping plate. I would sometimes eat snacks prior to going so I didn't look like a pig.

Now that I have the lap band, I am doing some soul searching and re-evaluating my relationship with food and it's purpose in my life now. I have been experiencing some mild anxiety about food because I am still in the liquid portion of the diet but nothing I have not been able to handle. I am definitely ready for scrambled eggs or something with substance. My goal is to make food a tool to help sustain a healthy body. I am not saying I have arrived there yet but this is my goal and I will continue to put myself in situations where this is the case. Does anybody out there relate to this or has achieved this? I am interested to hear back from anybody with any great input. Thanks for listening. :smile:

I'm not going to say that I understand what you are going through because I think everyone is different. I think I have an idea though! Once you get through the liquid portion, things should start to get better. Keep your head up and make sure you are drinking enough water.

I was banded 4/22/09. I mentally fell like I should still eat a lot more than I actually do. Especially when eating out. I still order a large meal. Of course, after a few bites I am done. Then I feel like I cannot waste food that is left on my plate. This has been difficult for me. I have found that if I take the food home it makes me feel a little bit better. Everyone has their issues and this board helps a lot.

You are in SUCH an excellent place mentally BECAUSE you are soul searching! I have fought getting any type of bariatric surgery because I've always known it wasn't the size of my stomach that was the problem - but the things going on inside my head! I've been working on healing those things for the last few years - and have come to the conclusion that to actually lose the weight (which has been one of biggest walls - a comfort zone against - well - my "stuff") that now - I am mentally ready to ALLOW myself to become thinner...

You are looking at your food in a new light now - and that is FANTASTIC! Not easy - but fantastic!

Pehaps you could explore exactly what feelings you were stuffing down - when did those feelings begin? There is so much work to do in the heart, the mind, the soul - and sometimes, oftentimes, it's our bodies that pay the price.

I'm so proud of you for searching - that's a huge step - maybe even bigger than actually getting the surgery - keep travelling down that searching path - and remember to tell yourself POSITIVE messages to dispel the negative tapes you may have heard or told yourself in the past! YOU CAN DO THIS!!! You are WORTH this temporary pain for a long term gain - BELIEVE IT!

Looking forward to joining you in this journey to health!

Hi. I'm soul searching too. I'm a 37 year old single mom and teacher. I was banded June 1st but my search started atleast 6 months prior. Ive lost 17lbs since banded but gained a lot of respect for myself. I still want to find the real me and address some old issues. I wish I could afford a life coach or therapist. At any rate I'm so glad to have you guys... Hang in there we will figure it out one pound at a time.

C.C.