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Hunger continues to be my nemesis!!! I just keep eating a lot of clean solid Protein to satisfy it. I know carbs food is going to feed the hunger and make it stronger, so I do not go there. A chicken sausage or a baby bel helps keep it at bay. As long as my extra eating does not result in weight gain, I will do it. I should start tracking it though as to not break any hard calories boundaries I have set for myself. It is a little strange as to where the hunger feeling comes from. It is not from the stomach, but in the back of my throat. Maybe it is caused by salivation at the back of my mouth, top of throat. No idea. What are your thoughts?

Congratulations on making goal! That's so exciting and you should be very proud of yourself. I am almost 4 months out and I have no doubt that I will get to where I want to be because of this tool that I chose to utilize. That said, weight loss can be done without the sleeve, it's just a lot harder to maintain. In turn, weight gain CAN occur with the sleeve if we don't do what we are supposed to do. What are we supposed to do? Make good choices and exercises. It's hard work and it's mental as much as it is physical. The sleeve is a tool to facilitate weight loss but it is NOT the solution. WE are the solution, some of us just need a little more help getting there.

How Common is food Addiction? Although there is little doubt that food addiction exists, the question of how common this may be remains a matter of debate. Now a study by Pardis Pedram and colleagues from Memorial University, Newfoundland, examine this issue in a paper just published in PLoS One. I am a food addict. I found this to be confirming.... The study looks at 652 adult volunteers (415 women, 237 men) recruited from the general population. ‘Food addiction’ was assessed using the Yale Food Addiction scale (YFAS), a questionnaire consists of 27 items that assess eating patterns over the past 12 months. The YFAS translates the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV TR(DSM-IV TR) substance dependence criteria in relation to eating behavior (including tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, vulnerability in social activities, difficulties cutting down or controlling use, etc.). The criteria for ‘food addiction’ are met when three or more symptoms are present within the past 12 months together with clinically significant impairment or distress. Based on these criteria, ‘food addiction’ was present in 5.4% of participants (6.7% in females and 3.0% in males) and increased with obesity status. Interestingly enough, the clinical symptom counts of ‘food addiction’ were positively correlated with all body composition measurements across the entire sample (p<0.001) – not just in those with higher BMI. Nevertheless, “food addicts” substantially heavier (11.7 kg), had 4.6 units higher BMI, and had 8.2% more body fat than “non-addicts”. Furthermore, food addicts consumed more calories from fat and Protein than controls. Thus, this study shows that as many as 1 in 20 (or 5%) of the general population may have a diagnosis of “food addiction”. Those who do are substantially heavier than individuals who do not meet these criteria. Furthermore, individual symptoms of “food addiction” are associated with higher body weight across the entire range of BMI suggesting that even mild to moderate signs of “addiction” (below the threshold of a formal diagnosis) may contribute to weight gain in the general population. As with all addictions, simply warning about the “evils” or making consumption more difficult (taxing, banning, punishing) is of limited help in addressing the problem. In addition, given that total “food-abstinence” is not an option, the best you can hope for is “harm-reduction” – a rather conservative goal for any addiction. Clearly, not recognizing the potential role of food addiction as a contributor to the obesity epidemic means missing the boat on providing appropriate care to individuals with this condition. As with other addictions, “Simply say no” approaches are naive at best in addressing the problem. @DrSharma Edmonton, Alberta

You go, girl!! Your friend sounds a bit green-eyed to me and not much like a friend at all! You don't owe an explanation to ANYONE. Your business is YOUR business and your decision to have surgery was a very personal one. Congratulations on your 50 pounds lost! You are doing an amazing job! You are absolutely wrong. I once lost 80 pounds in three months on WWs and exercise and I kept it off for a year. I was eating micro amounts and going to the gym twice a day. There was no way I could maintain that pace (and the hubby knocked me up) but I did do it and I lost a lot faster than I am with the sleeve. It is not my job or hers (or yours for that matter!) to "inspire" anyone. If it happens, awesome! I would love to think that I could help someone else get healthy but it's not my duty. It's up to each individual to find inspiration in his or herself. I am no more responsible for anyone's weight loss than I am for anyone's weight gain. (Except maybe my husband because he keeps finishing my leftovers.) I am utilizing a tool that is available to anyone. Even with this tool, I track every bite that goes into my body. I exercise at least an hour a day. I wear a pedometer so I can make sure to get in my steps each day. I make great food choices that meet my nutritional needs and that will help me hit my weight loss goals. Most importantly, I have dropped the excuses and THAT is where I will win.

Hi Cheri - first of all, congrats on the new addition to your family. Second, congratulations on the weight loss. I reached goal quickly, five months to reach my doctor's goal and a month later to reach MY personal goal, five pounds less. 145 give me that 5 pound pad! I THINK more like Lynda though. MY goal is 145, but I don't wait until I hit 150 to cut back a little, if I weigh 147 in the morning, I know I need to 'adjust' my calories, just for a day or two. I've been maintaining for 2.5 years now and although like you, it's been easy for me......I'm like Lynda, I am vigilant. The fear of regaining keeps me a "little" obsessive. I weigh every morning, and I know that I should weigh between 144 and 146. I also weigh again at night, it's kind of a game I play, then I guess what I will weigh in the morning! I do not let the scale dictate my mood though, it's more like a "dashboard" for me, it lets me know if things are 'running' right, kind of like the dashboard in my truck!! lol At night, I will weigh between 146.5 and 148. I am not a exercise guru, but I have made 'life style' changes that are second nature to me now. Like I said, I weigh every morning. I weigh or measure my food when I'm home. I log it all on line. (MFP) This is not what I just do, it isn't a chore, it isn't a choice. It just is.....it's how I stay in check. I am accountable to ME and after 30 years of dieting, I know how quickly eight or ten pounds can sneak up on us. Losing weight has never been a problem for me, keeping it off has been. Not this time and now I'm equipped with the knowledge of what works for me, I really can't imagine this 'routine' wouldn't work for everyone. I am missing 85% of my tummy, self control is much easier now, at least it is in my case. I don't feel like I have sacrificed anything. I make choices. I do not skip extra cups of coffee, there are line to draw Cheri!!! About two months ago, since fear of weight gain seems to never leave us, and I personally think that is a good thing.....I just wanted to 'test' and see if I could still lose weight if need be. I need 1300 to maintain, give or take 50 calories. I cut that back by 100 calories and in 2.5 weeks, with just one hundred less calories, I lost 2 pounds. I was happy, I know I can do it. I don't get hungry, so cutting back and/or resisting when I should or when I want to....is not difficult. You and I are lucky. I don't do what Lynda does, but I am soooooo glad to see how SHE is. I thought I might be the only one who is a bit on the obsessive side, I love it!!!! I do not have everything planned down to how much protein, veggies etc per meal. I track and plan ahead, but not quite like that. I get in between 65 and 100 grams of protein a day. During the losing phase, I had NO bread, but now, if I want my tuna fish on a piece of bread, nothing but cokes are off limits, although there are thngs I choose to avoid most times. When I did my "test" a while back, I did make sure I was getting at least 85 grams of protein a day, I know that helped. You will do fine, don't stress out, just be diligent with tracking your food, that is something I personally believe we have to do forever, track and weigh/measure. The things I do, are MY keys to success. I don't ever want to forget what it was like to shop for size 20's in the ladies dept. Been there, done that and I don't want an encore!!! It keeps me humble, and keeps me motivated. Good luck, I predict you are going to do just fine!!

Are you guys itchy yet? Have you pooped? Have you lost your surgery weight gain? Inquiring minds want to know!

Denise - I am glad that I can eat - what I consider a Normal about of food and still lose weight- I don't know how I would do if I had to eat less - NMSunshine - Yes I saw it the 1st time it was on - Oprah pisses me off some times - she seems to puts down people who have WLS - it's not just people who have WLS that can have transfer addicitions - people who lose weight without surgery can have the same issues too. Look at her she looses weight - gains weight back loose it again - want to talk about yo-yo - and she has the benefit of personal trainers and chefs where we don't - OMG if i could have someone else cook all my meals and a trainer to help me exercise - I would be in hog heaven. Notice how she talks about WLS she is negative about it - IMHO she needs to be banded Phyl - you DH is a very nice man I though his controlling was done with luv:) - I think you have a keeper in him... Have you called Dr B - I am scheduled to go in on the 19th but don't know if i need to - I have pretty good restiction when I eat really solid foods - soft go through but the solids keep me full for quite a long time and sometime if I drink to fast is sticks a little - Call him it can't hurt...

Hello (: Yes, PCOS is incredibly tough! I'm sure your daughter has told you how hard it is, cause it's not easy. I am thinking of my future and its just getting tougher and tougher as I get older so I'm seeking all the options I can. Yes, I live in California and still am under my parents insurance we have Kaiser. I know from looking online, kaiser seems really strict. What I read was in order to be covered for weight loss surgery you need to have a BMI of 35-40 but if you're in the 30's you just need to have a weight threatening problem like sleep apnea or diabetes. I'm hoping because they know about my history and weight gain with PCOS they will cover me even though my BMI is only in the early 30's not to mention diabetes run HEAVY in my family. My mother, a few cousins and aunts have it and my grandmother actually died from diabetic shock. So I'm trying to do what I can. I will definitely keep you guys updated and will watch some of those videos you told me about! thanks for being so supportive. I appreciate your kindness -Taylor

Protein shake, salt and salt. Salt = water retention = weight "gain". I know your food options are limited, but don't mistake water weight for fat.

Just wondering if anyone out there my have the same problem as me. I was banded mid May this year and have lost 40 pounds. I have had no fills. I feel great not too hungry and was losing weight so last week at my doc visit she said no need to fill as I'm losing just fine. OK well this week...I GAINED 4 pounds!!! I have never cheated I exercise at Curves 5 days a week. I eat 1000 to 1200 calories a day and 100 grams of protein. I can't figure this out. Except to say I was on HCTZ (a water pill) to help with my blood pressure and on Monday the doc took me off it and I have put on a pound or do a day. I'm soo afraid the weight won't stop coming back and afraid I won't get back to losing. Anyone out there have any advice?

Awww I wouldn’t stress out too much! That little amount of gain could be hormonal, retaining water, or just a bit of constipation. My weight fluctuates about a pound throughout the week. I weigh myself every morning. After strength training, I’ll see a small weight gain the next day. Then it will go back down. Then after a cardio day, it’ll go down a bit more. But it is not consistently going down every single day. Just stick to your plan and it’ll come off!

*insert newbie pre-surg boilerplate disclaimer* My take away from Dr. Vs video is a bit different. I feel like he was saying that exercise is not a magic bullet to achieve long term weight loss success. He pointed out that many people use it as an unproductive punishment, rather than a natural evolution of fitness. He said that weight loss after surgery is controlled by diet rather than exercise. And that before we go to the gym, we need to be sure to confirm we have 1) A great post WLS diet in place and 2) We have our head/psychology/stress management in good shape. Then and only then will exercise benefit our long term goal of staying healthy and at a normal weight. I think he makes sense here to some degree. And completely agree that what works for my fluffy ass, isn't going to necessarily be true for anyone else. (Example: So for instance, I'm fluffy and might think, "Dayum, I'm fluffy cuz I like Dr. Phil too much and I'm not disciplined enough to get to the gym each day." So I try harder to go to the gym, I'm just 2 months post surgery, and eating too few calories to support an intense, extended ass whoopin' at the gymn--barely meeting my protein requirement. I do my circuit, come home, am exhausted and hungrier after the activity...and I flop down in my easy chair, turn on Dr. Phil, am starving and yet, beat and end up eating more volume/calories or eating off plan with easy slider food (like a whole can of Pringles or falling into a bag of Lay's, cuz my body is demanding more calories, those types of calories don't stretch my pounch and go down SO DAYUM GOOD. I end up undoing all the good of the activity and worse, to the point that I would have been much better off, just staying on my post surg diet, doing something to address my stress levels and processing the headwork that contributed to my fluffy state and not exercising in the first place. Or--I only go the gym 1 time a week cuz it makes me feel like a crap sandwich and so I beat myself up for it for being such a loser which makes me depressed and I end up turning on Dr. Phil, grabbing the can of Pringles, etc--and then find it nearly impossible to force myself back to eating as I KNOW I should. Weight gain/guilt ensue...) There was a fairly recent study that shows some argument that exercise alone will not help weight loss. But, I do know that doing exercise like slow burn and resistance training absolutely helps improve insulin resistance, which directly affects weight loss and how calories are processed by the liver post workout...so, yeah. Interesting question and love the discussion!!

Kat, as always...you clearly have a way of expressing what others are maybe thinking but cannot put into words. On the steroids...I was on them for 5.5 yrs. Really raised havoc and contributed to a lot of my weight gain. Helped with the symptoms I was dealing with but also helped add the pounds (along with the fork in my hand).

Yes. I did not have very many physical symptoms of PCOS like facial hair, or acanthosis nigrican it was mostly the irregular or absence of my menstrual cycle, infertility, mood swings, elevated hgb a1c therefore I would get hypoglycemic and of course the weight gain and PCOS belly. I am DELIVERT!!!! at 171.8 My belly is about a 28 inches I'd like it to go down to about a 24, 25. Hgb a1c is like 5.2, No mood swings although I do have periods of restlessness and anxiety that come and go. Cycles are coming like clockwork and they are fairly normal and weight loss remains steady. So yes I would say my PCOS symptoms have most certainly improved. I am 6 months post op.

Bombero here...I am 50 banded on 1/31/08 had lost 22 lbs my first dr. visit...and am down another 4 as of today for a total of 26. Years of beer drinking payed a big part of my weight gain...that is behind me now and am looking forward to a healthier life style and a lot more weight loss...

This is INFURIATING to me! The first endocrinologist I was referred to in my new insurance network upon moving to OR last year told me that "if I can't lose the weight on my own, surgery won't help." This is a man who deals with obese people with diabetes all day long...and he knows damn well that insulin and other drugs make it even harder to lose weight. For him to tell me that my problems are because of will power makes me sick. When I was a fat four year old, what was the problem then? What was my personality flaw then, Mr Biased!?? Then, then! I go for my annual pap and the guy wants to give me a hysterectomy because I have a soggy uterus from adenomyosis - no pain, nothing, he just wants to cut but is worried about how fat I am. He tells me I'm so obese that I have to worry about cancer at this point. I mention having the bypass and he literally guffawed. He said that "there's no such thing as magic." I wanted to punch him in the face. Did I say it was magic? No. Did I say I wasn't willing to remove my uterus on his nine second whim even though the last time I saw him, he said he wouldn't do any testing on me to insure a HPV stage 1 cancer scare hadn't reared its ugly head again after a lot of weight gain in a recent pregnancy? - - he said even though the LEEP procedure I had to get rid of it was 10 years ago, I'd be "silly" to think I'd actually be the 1 in 15 million who would test positive again (even though his statistic was for over a five year period). AAARGH. You know, there was a time in this country where doctors deserved to be revered - or heck, maybe we were all just blind sheep without the power of the internet and they never deserved it - but I tell you what. You sound like you care WAAAAAY too much about what this doctor thinks. The only people you should be discussing weight loss surgery options with is a weight loss center of excellence staff member and/or surgeon. If you want positive encouragement (or honest feedback), go to a support group. But to allow people who don't support your endeavor to get healthy rock your confidence to the point of seeking advice on a website for it....? This doctor needs to be cut from your life. She had the nurse call? Are you sure you have a great relationship? We cannot have it both ways. We cannot change without changing everything, including the people we surround ourselves with who can't support us (and who are usually in relationships with us because we're obese to some degree because it makes them feel better about their own insecurities), and then be surprised or concerned and get upset when these people who keep us - fat, self doubting, depressed, confused - reveal their biases. When I found another endo, by the way, she said gastric bypass is the closest thing in the world to a cure for diabetes and that she was utterly floored by the PA who spoke to me so unprofessionally. She was so angry, she is taking action in her own office and is going to be a stronger advocate for her patients on this issue. Progress somewhere is better than haters who have no specialization or true knowledge of the surgery/process/outcomes/etc. I don't mean to sound insensitive to YOU or cynical, but I have just HAD it, especially with male doctors, who feel it's their right to put me down no matter what I do.

rosie, They may have had to give you additional fluids in the OR during your surgery. I know that my blood pressure drops alot with anesthesia, so I am anticipating a weight gain when I have my surgery in 10 days. Best of luck to you!!

I'm sorry if this offends anyone but this makes me want to cry!! I do not cheat, I am not eating over 800 calories a day, I get in all my protein, I stay as far away from carbs as I can and fat is the devil!! But yet I'm only down now 31 lbs!!! I was down 38 lbs but it went up and now I've stopped loosing completely! I was 333 lbs day of surgery and was told people over 300 lbs loose really fast the first 3-6 months, evidently not me! I have no clue what to do, I can't even eat 3 oz at any meal time! I I have to repeat I never cheat and this is just horrible! My surgery date was July 13, 2013 As of September 13th it will be two months!!! I should be down 60 lbs by then but it sure doesn't look good! What's my point of all this your probably asking?? Well it really upsets me severely when I read about people eating slider foods, and high carb foods and complaining about their NUT going crazy! See there's a reason, you must learn to eat differently in order for this to work!! You MUST change your lifestyle and eating habits FOREVER!! If not you will end up like the lady that goes to church with my aunt... All weight gained back plus some!! Yep it can happen, she started gaining it back within a year of her surgery!! PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU EAT!! I mean some people may not care but if not why have the surgery to begin with?? I paid for my surgery completely 100% out of my pocket and I'm certainly not rich, really I couldn't afford it but I needed this for myself and my kids!!! Anyway now that I've probably made everyone mad on here I guess I will apologize, I rally am only trying to help but yes I had to rant too! I guess what bothers me most is the fact that I was told I'd loose fast bc I needed to loose more and I took it literally! I was hoping to be down 100+ lbs before Christmas this year maybe something will turn around for me and I'll suddenly see the major loss I'm waiting for!

That's good for you. My reflux went away for a long time after my surgery but came back after my last fill. I got an appointment this Friday to see what's going on. GERD is one of the listed complications from Lapband though. I just think it's weird that one of the benefits from the band is to reduce the amount of food intake but if you have GERD you may have to get unfills which cause weight gain in most. I am hoping I can fight the weight gain if I need another unfill. I think I have 4.5 or 5 cc's in my 10cc band after my unfill in December.

I live fairly close to Monroeville. My Dr. didn't measure me during our consultation. My husband and I went together and sat in a room and discussed the procedure with the Dr. he did take my vitals and looked at pressed on my stomach. I never took off my clothes. I know that there were a lot of woman that wore weights and put weights in their pockets when I was attending my lifestyle classes. They were in a similiar position as you...right on the borderline of meeting the criteria for approval. The medical assistant will ask you to remove your shoes and socks but that's it. At one time someone suggested that you could put fishing weights in your bra as well. I would take those measures as well as drink a ton of Water before going into your appointment. My insurance did not allow any weight gain during the six month lifestyle phase...there were times when I wished I had done the weights...but I ended up being able to take off 5 pounds during the lifestyle classes. Good luck!

Well I am not skinny yet, but I used to be, and every time I would go out to eat, the server woukd ask me if my meal was ok because I only needed a few bites to fill me up, which left most of it on the plate! That's was years ago, before my sleeve, but see? That's how skinny people are skinny and stay skinny. They eat enough to satisfy themselves and that's that. Since I got fat, I don't like leaving food on my plate. Hey, I paid for it and I was gonna get my money's worth! I also NEVER brought home doggy bags when I was skinny, which at that time in my life I believed help me stay skinny. Also, when I was skinny, I was always so cold! I used to bring little granny sweaters with me to every restaurant, department store, and casino because the air conidiotinng was just too much. I used to practically run outside into 100 degree heat from an air conditioned building and just stand there and soak it up, like a cat through a sun filled window. Now all I do is sweat. It's been a LONG time since I've been cold due to my 100 lb weight gain, even in the snow lol! Last year I took my son skiing, and I was so HOT underneath all the gear. I wanted to start stripping layers and I was drenched in sweat underneath. Not fun. Not a good feeling. That never happened to me when I was skinny.

GM Betty, I so love soup, it has become my favorite food, beside my new found love, tiramisu, LOL. I ate beef barley yesterday, it was ooooh so good. No it wasn't home made, LMAO. It's hard t believe it's been five years since 9/11, I watched the Diane Sawyer special the other night, with all the babies, now 5, I boohooed, it was so sad. I did notice they didn't have the woman that was sort of the spokesperson whose husband led the group and over took the terrorist in the Pa flight. Yikes, can't remember either name, but I often think of her and wonder what happened to her and her boys. (Was his name Todd?) Such a tragedy all the way around. The special on CBS last night had to be difficult for all of these families to watch. Kat, if your SIL gets a fill, you need to call her doctor and tell him/her what she's doing. I had to do that with my mom, although, even though she was my mom, they reminded me of the privacy act, which I assured them I did not want info, I was just advising them of facts they didn't realize, like she'd been pb'n for over a month and couldn't keep anything down. They took it from there. Diane, take care of the throat, don't over do it even if ya think it's all well. Patty, I love my pedicures and just put my fake nails back on, after a summer of playing in the dirt...plants. Darcy, I know it doesn't help you, but the fact you've shared your weight gain has made us realize it could so easily happen to us. Big Hugs GF! Is the fill helping? I have the dmdst band, so fickle, especially, if I haven't eaten all day, I guess I eat too fast, but then it's spit, spit, and more spit. I have never agreed with the "PB" factor, "spit" should be added as something NOT to look forward to as well. Nothing prettier than seeing a Gma get out of her car or lean out the door to spit, LMAO. Hugs everyone! We're missing a lot of our friends, Ann, Cindy, Mary, Donna, Ira, Ivan, just to name a few.

Hello all, hope eveyone is well I have been awol a few weeks since the defill, cos it has been horrendous. Terrible pains and trapped wind after eating, many nights awake in agony because of the stomach pains and I have also managed to catch 2 bugs, one sickness and the other down south which I hadn't suffered with at since having the band fitted. I dont remember ever feeling this uncomfortable even when my diet was so full of crap pre the band, and the wind is just awful, my mood has been terrible as well. I have just been a snappy nasty b***h really So I have now put on a stone and feel so uncomfortable so I mailed Freddie and he assures me the weight gain is normal as my body had completely re hydrated, so I feel a little better knowing that, but I have booked in to be refilled next Thursday as I just don't feel in control. He said I can be refilled to a maximum of 6.5mls, (currently have 5mls) as we fly out to Egypt in July and he said I really can't go any higher than that, and defo not back to the 7.5mls as the heat over there will make the band too tight. I just need to get this stone back off, because . . . we have our appointment with the Fertility specialist on 8th August!!!! So utterly delighted that we will hopefully be starting treatment this year and also gutted as had the letter come sooner I wouldn't have had the defill to ensure I was still in or less than the weight range to be accepted for treatment, but hey ho its done now. MMM, thanks for the advise re the diet chef, got myself lots of Soups and porridge so that I am only eating a meal once a day if that, so hoping the weight may start slowly coming down this week any way, as I made the most of drinking alcohol and eating at the IOW festival last weekend and then came on on Tuesday so very bloated and lots of Water retention. Can't wait to get the skinny feeling back again, just hope the 6.5mls gives me enough restriction. Good luck to the newbies and hope the rest of the gang are doing well with losing C xx

I am going on the 29th July with my husband and having the band on the 30th July. I asked the bank to transfer the whole amount and they charged me £24.00 for the service. Looking forward to hearing from Frederik with regards to the confirmation details (have emailled but nothing so far) he does answer but sometimes you have to chase him. Looking forward to this as I have drawn the line and just want to get on. A client asked me today if I was really excited and then went quiet and said or are you scared and I was honest and said not scared at all just excited that I have made this decision and therefore feel very much in control of it and know that if it fails it's because I didn't follow the rules. My fingers are crossed all will be well as I just want to be healthy and enjoy life. I'm not governed by food but I am an addict when it comes to exercise and have really missed it because of the weight gain after the acl reconstruction (knee) so I am looking forward to playing competitively again. I started back at tennis a few weeks ago and loving it. Hope all who are going over in the next few weeks have a very positive experience and we are all here to support each other and to listen. Happy for anyone to pm me or call. Take care and remember that we have one life, we have to live it and enjoy it and do everything we can to get the most from it. Claire x

Hi there, I was banded in January this year and have currently lost just over 5 stone , since being banded (6 in total). The only advice I can offer is that the band, whilst marvellous (i honestly don't believe I could have done it without it) is only an aid to weight loss. There are days when I long to be able to eat food with ease and without worry of getting 'stuck'. It also seems that 'bad' foods, ice cream, chocolate, other 'high calorie, low satisfaction' foods are often easier to eat than good, heathy foods....for instance I can no longer eat salad, I find it difficult to eat pasta unless cooked to death. I still have an overwhelming mental desire to eat. That said I absolutely do not regret having the op, quite the opposite. It has allowed me to regain my life. Not only do I look better, mentally I'm in the best place I've been for years despite personal dilemmas that would have crushed me a year ago. What I have come to realise through this journey of an initial huge weight gain (8stone in 4 years!) before having the op, is that I have always been mentally 'fat' even at 5'7" and a size 12. But like a self fulfilling prophecy, I had to become truly morbidly obese in order to appreciate that my weight problem was in my head not my body! Only you have the power to change your life, do it....with or without the band. Xxx