Hi, I'm having the band procedure done August 3rd. The things you wrote about eating sounded exactly like what I would have written about eating! Food has always been my best friend! I do everything around food. I cook so people will come see me. I travel in order to eat. I also worry about everyone that knows that I'm having the surgery and like you said... I don't want them to think I'm a "loser" if I don't lose the weight. I have a friend that has had not one, not two, but three stomach by-pass surgeries and she is still over 300 lbs. This is my first visit to the site.... thanks for your input... it really hit home! dfdorsett:)