My first note

[roger1124 1]

I am 66 years old and have been slightly overweight since I was 13 yrs.old. I weighed about 15 lbs over what I should have weighed. I now am 140 lbs overweight after dieting since I was 13 yrs. old. I am going to have lap band Nov. 30, 2010 and am excited, but apprehensive because I have failed so many times, know I am addicted to food. I am getting cold feet as I am afraid it will be anothe failure.

I realize emotional addiction to food is a problem for me and I need support and prayers or the lap band will be just another diet that failed. Several family members and friends don't agree with my decision for surgery, but I feel it is my last hope.

I was told I should eat 6oz. of food with only three meals a day. I measured my food I ate last night which was healthy homemade stew, coleslaw, and a piece of brief and a diet ice tea drink. This ended up being 16oz. when I measure it This is when I think I am dieting.

I don't know if I can manage with this amount of food without getting light-headed,etc. Tell me it works please.

Edited November 15, 2010 by roger1124

[Katy517 1]

It works. I had the same fears that the small amounts of food wouldn't provide sufficient nutrition and that I would be weak as a result. For me, following the dietary guidelines and filling up first on healthy Proteins has been a key ingredient of my success so far. Good luck.

I don't know if I can manage with this amount of food without getting light-headed,etc. Tell me it works please.

[maxi2010 0]

I am 66 years old and have been slightly overweight since I was 13 yrs.old. I weighed about 15 lbs over what I should have weighed. I now am 140 lbs overweight after dieting since I was 13 yrs. old. I am going to have LAP-BAND®®®® Nov. 30, 2010 and am excited, but apprehensive because I have failed so many times, know I am addicted to food. I am getting cold feet as I am afraid it will be anothe failure.

I realize emotional addiction to food is a problem for me and I need support and prayers or the LAP-BAND®®®® will be just another diet that failed. Several family members and friends don't agree with my decision for surgery, but I feel it is my last hope.

I was told I should eat 6oz. of food with only three meals a day. I measured my food I ate last night which was healthy homemade stew, coleslaw, and a piece of brief and a diet ice tea drink. This ended up being 16oz. when I measure it This is when I think I am dieting.

I don't know if I can manage with this amount of food without getting light-headed,etc. Tell me it works please.

Hi Roger.

I had the same fear that you had - that I would get light headed from eating too small portions. I have yet to have this happen. I was banded on 9/17/10 and have lost 24 lbs to date. But most of all, for the first time I feel this will be the last time I will be this fat. I actually packed up my largest sizes and will be giving the clothes away to charity. I never did that before with any of my diets because, deep in my heart, I knew I would gain it all back. Unfortunately, I was always right - I'd gain it back and add on a few more pounds!

I also have an addiction towards food (like chocolate, bread and other goodies) but, since I've been banded, these food temptations do not seem to pull at me like before. Not since I had band surgery. I have eaten bread since I was banded but I only ate the crust. I pulled out the insides before I eat the bread and, when I do eat it, it is a much smaller quantity than before (I might eat half a loaf before, not one piece). Yet, this one piece seems to satisfy me the way having half a loaf used to satisfy me. This has been consistently true of many other addictions I have. The addiction seems to have changed for the better since I had the surgery.

The surgery definitely works but you have to have your head on right for it to work. By this I mean you have to go with the program and not plan on undermining it. For instance, you cannot eat a ton of ice cream and/or chocolate, which is never restricted by your band, or you WILL GAIN WEIGHT. You have to follow the program that your doctor sets out for band patients - eat Proteins first, then veggies, then carbs. Chew well, eat slowly and make sure the meat is not too dry. Drink fluids when appropriate and never during eating times. If you follow this advice and work with your band, it WILL WORK to help you lose weight. Best of all, you will not feel hungry and will feel good about yourself as you lose weight.

For the first time in my life, I feel I WILL LOSE WEIGHT PERMANENTLY. I am losing slowly, but, still, I am losing. I am thrilled when I try on clothes I could not fit into just a few months before. I wish I had done this band surgery years ago.

Best of luck to you, whatever your decision. However, as long as you are willing to not undermine the LAP-BAND®®®, this is the way to go and the only long term solution to weight problems.

Maxi