MerreyMac

I have not had my surgery yet (Im planning for sometime in Jan or Feb 2011) but I have the same problem of eating even after I know Im full (of course the amount that makes me full is WAYYY too much). I think mine is because I was raised as a member of the "clean plate club". In other words, if the food is on the plate, you still have food to eat, you arent finished with a meal until the plate is empty. Since I dont have the band yet, my suggestion might prove useless but here it is.... You might try setting yourself up with two "servings". Example, if you are going to eat a 1 to 1-1/2 cups of food, prepare only 3/4c. Eat that then if you still are hungry go fix 1/3c more. Just remember to take your time eating, but not take so long that your stomach starts to empty and you have to start filling it all over at the same meal. Hope this helps! Sometimes it helps me, sometimes it doesnt, usually I get tired of going back so many times, but thats what my band will be for, to help me get to the full point with less food/trips.

I can relate to the issue about wishing you hadn't told a soul. Unfortunately for me, due to my work enviroment and hours, when calling around to get information during my lunch hour ( I dont leave the office for lunch) some co-workers overheard and now they know. :smile2: On the fortunate side my family and friends do not interact with my co-workers so its like Im in two differnt worlds. My husband knows and my best friend knows. I told my best friend because she is such a worrier, and she will be the one who reminds me to ask this question and that question. I have not told my mother because she is of the mind that I should be strong enough to loose weight without help and I can not deal with the negativity she will heap on me when the weight doesnt come off as fast as she thinks it should. I would say that you need to assess the people in your life, judge if they will be a positive influence or a negative one, and from that decide who, if any, you tell, but be prepared for people you dont want to know finding out no matter how hard you try to be quiet. Roll with the punches. And remember, you can always re-assess and tell more people later. Just make sure you explain that the band isnt doing this for you, but rather a helping hand and therefore the weight is not going to disappear overnight, which is the healthiest way to loose it.

I will be getting a band in 2011. Due to financial issues I will be having it done in Mexico since I am a self pay -- my insurance has a very direct and specific exclusion for ANY weight loss assistance, even a nutritionsit! I am wondering if anyone who has had the band done in Mexico and then had their after-care in the Houston area could offer me some notes about their experience? If so, can you please tell me about your experience and who you used in Mexico and then in the Houston area. I think I have chosen who I want to do the procedure in Mexico (but then nothing is in stone). Also any issues you encountered both north and south of the border. I need the positive and negative. Thanks in advance for all the help.