Is the lap band right for you?

[ElfiePoo 109]

Before you decide to get the band, I would highly recommend taking a serious look at your eating habits. The band will only tell you when you're full. It won't make you put down your fork. It won't keep you from grazing. It won't keep you from making bad choices. If you have never had any success at losing weight...losing, not keeping it off...rethink the band.

My doctor told me I was the perfect candidate for the band because I had a past history of losing weight successfully. My best effort was to lose 70 pounds and, although I've kept it off for 8 years, keeping it off was not why I was a good candidate. It was because I stayed on a diet and lost weight. That same resolve...the ability to make good food choices and put down the fork...are still needed with the band. If you have never been able to do that, then the band may not be right for you. Let's face it...if you're willing to eat until you're ready to throw up pre-band, you can still do that after the band. Yes, that point will come sooner *but* you'll still be able to eat enough to stop losing weight...and possibly gain back any you've lost...and you'll still be able to eat all the wrong foods.

I did tons of reading, questioning and more reading prior to getting the band but it still took nine months of living with the band to get rid of some misconceptions.

The band does not magically make me put down my fork. I just get the mental feeling of 'full' even when my belly doesn't feel full. Can I continue to eat? Depends on the food, but yeah...usually I can. It's still up to me to take control and put down the fork. The band doesn't magically allow only good food to go down. In fact, sweets seem to magically slide through while vegies can be a bear...particularly if you have too much of a fill.

My mind is sliding into a vegie state which tells me it's time for my midmorning snack (watermelon, yummy) to keep the blood sugar stable so I'll leave it at that.

[123crod 170]

Nice post! I agree, if you think you are addictive to food get in some counseling before having band and after. Emotional eaters will still be emotional eaters . . . but just with a band.

Cheri