Hello Everyone. I hate mind games.

[Rchavez101 0]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and have a surgery date of November 4th. I have been on a so called liquid diet since Friday the 22nd that consists of a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch and then 1 serving of progresso Soup for dinner. I have actually been very content with what I have eaten. Why is it that I can't do this when I was not facing surgery? I had a talk with my wife about the idea that if some people have ever had a total mind change and did not have surgery and were able to change the way they think of food and were able to make a complete life change.

The only thing is that I can come up with is that I see what the prize is at the end of the tunnel and know that messing up is no option. I would like to think that if I didn't have surgery that I could change my way of eating but I guess slip up's would be a lot more forgiving so there would be no consequence. Has everyone ever thought the same during the pre-op diet? It has been one of the easiest things I have ever done.

Well that's a enough rambling from me. I am just thinking out loud.:thumbup:

Edited October 28, 2010 by Rchavez101

[Manda87 3]

Good question. I have thought about this too. Why can't I have done this in the first place? I think it's motivation. For me, I paid money to get this surgery done so I HAVE to make this work.

The Lap Band is a tool. The surgery gets the ball moving. The ball is at the top of a hill... a probably very big hill. The surgery pushes the ball toward the bottom a little bit. As you lose weight, the ball moves closer to the bottom of the hill. There might be a few bumps and rocks on the hill, but you can easily adjust and keep it rolling. Do you kind of see what I mean?

My Lap Band isn't losing the weight for me. It's helping me. I have to work with it because I am the human and it is the plastic tool. Kind of like having a hammer. The hammer isn't going to do anything until the human picks it up.

Do you see what I mean?

I was on a pre-op diet for 2 weeks. In fact, it was during Easter. When I think about it, I kind of laugh. I remember craving pickles and watching the food Network 24/7.

Good luck!

[lynh564 0]

I have been doing alot of reading on the forums. that being said, it is believed that some people have a higher physiological drive to eat. The band dims that drive and that allows you to make better choices. That is what I have personally experienced. I am down 84lbs in 7 months. I find it much easier to watch what I eat. That has made all the difference in the world.

[Apples2 19]

I had to do a six month medically supervised diet prior to surgery that turned into eight months. I was able to lose 52lbs during that time. I was thrown the question many times as to...if I could lose the weight why have surgery...I COULD SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. And, I knew once I got to goal, I would have help via the lapband to help me keep it off and keep that hunger at bay.

[Cocoabean 430]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and have a surgery date of November 4th. I have been on a so called liquid diet since Friday the 22nd that consists of a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch and then 1 serving of progresso Soup for dinner. I have actually been very content with what I have eaten. Why is it that I can't do this when I was not facing surgery? I had a talk with my wife about the idea that if some people have ever had a total mind change and did not have surgery and were able to change the way they think of food and were able to make a complete life change.

The only thing is that I can come up with is that I see what the prize is at the end of the tunnel and know that messing up is no option. I would like to think that if I didn't have surgery that I could change my way of eating but I guess slip up's would be a lot more forgiving so there would be no consequence. Has everyone ever thought the same during the pre-op diet? It has been one of the easiest things I have ever done.

Well that's a enough rambling from me. I am just thinking out loud.:thumbup:

Could you keep up that food plan forever? Could you go out with friends to a restaurant and bring your can of soup and not have anything else?

It just isn't practical for the long-term. At some point I believe you'd find yourself tempted to eat and eat and eat. The boredom of it all would also be a factor in a life-time of eating that way.

The tool of the band will allow you to eat and still be healthy. It's win-win!

[Dave_NW 92]

I agree with the others - if there are no consequences, you'd eventually find yourself eating more and more. Any weight you'd lost would soon be gained back again.

I know from personal experience. I was on South Beach Diet, and never ate so much food in my life. My jaw actually got sore from eating so much every day. I stuck with it, and lost more than 30 pounds in two months. I had dental surgery, so went off the diet. Despite knowing how to eat right, and convinced I'd always eat the South Beach way, within a very short time I'd gained back more than 60 pounds.

You're doing fine on your liquid diet because you know you HAVE to eat that way. Willpower is fine, but few people can truly do it by themselves.

Dave

[LeighaMason 19]

If I could have, I already would have. I had spend 15 years dieting by the time I was banded. I estimate that I was physically hungry probably 300 days a year and ate like I wanted to on the other 65 (not dieting 5 or 6 days a month) and I was still obese.

For me the band takes the hunger away, that is the key.

[Rchavez101 0]

Well I know that keeping up with the same eating pattern of Soup would not work. Mentally I just think if you can feal content with that little bit of food you could have 3 small meals a day and be fine. I do get what everyone say's and of course I am going through with the surgery. I remember going through weight watchers and thinking this is so easy and lost around 50 lbs. Then somehow I just stop doing it and never was able to do it again. Of course I gained the weight back and then some. That's why I think it's all in my mind but I do see how the lapband is a life long tool to help you in the Quest of losing weight. I am looking forward to November 4th. :thumbup:

[Cocoabean 430]

Well I know that keeping up with the same eating pattern of Soup would not work. Mentally I just think if you can feal content with that little bit of food you could have 3 small meals a day and be fine. I do get what everyone say's and of course I am going through with the surgery. I remember going through weight watchers and thinking this is so easy and lost around 50 lbs. Then somehow I just stop doing it and never was able to do it again. Of course I gained the weight back and then some. That's why I think it's all in my mind but I do see how the LAP-BAND® is a life long tool to help you in the Quest of losing weight. I am looking forward to November 4th. :smile2:

Your second sentence wraps up what the band does for us!! :thumbup:

I still fight the desire for more food sometimes. But with the limits of the band, it makes it easier to withstand.

Hey, I made a rhyme! Maybe I should write a song about being banded....laaaa di daaaa!