Trying To Decide - Does It Really Stop Your Hunger??

[Justme9786 50]

My experience is that it has helped my "hungry" feeling TREMENDOUSLY! Before, I was constantly hungry, never satisfied, and always wanted more. Now, I rarely get that STARVING feeling. There are some times when I don't eat as I routinely would and I get hungry, but nothing like it was pre-band.

You also have to consider the fill. If you have too loose of a fill, you'll feel hungry more often. I'm at a pretty good fill right now where it controls my constant hunger, but not too tight. I can eat almost all of the foods I enjoy, just smaller portions that satisfy me.

Great question for a pre-bander!

[highland 168]

I'm one of the very lucky ones that the band has COMP!ETELY stopped my physical hunger. I NEVER feel hungry anymore, EVER. I sill have head hunger though. Good luck!

[dfav3412 116]

Here is what the lapband did for me, it is like any other serious diet I've ever been on the one main difference is I am not starving. I get hungry but it isn't the same type of hunger. It does not stop you from grazing, emotional eating particularly if you eat slider type foods which are chips, Cookies, cakes, ice cream aka slurry foods (slurry foods because they form a slurry in your pouch and empty quickly vs more substantial solid foods such as meat, veggies and fruit). Just having the band will not be the end all when you reach goal because you will have to follow a reasonable diet or you will gain just like any other person who eats more calories than they need whether they have had surgery or not.

[Bamabander 111]

Having the band with plication has helped my "hungry" tremendously! I have always been a "big eater" and am shocked by how little food makes me full.

I had my first fill today and was explains to my doctor that this is the first time in my life that I feel like I eat normal/ small portions and am very satisfied.

I don't have an urge to snack anymore and typically by the time I realize I'm hungry it's meal time. There are still days where I want to graze but after a bite or two of pretzels or a Protein Bar I'm done. It's not magic, but it feels pretty close to it, at least in my experience!

Good luck in making your decision!

[SueAnneE 0]

You all are the best! You helped me so much! I'm going to go for it. I will look at the YouTube videos, thanks for the recommendation.

It's a pleasure to be in this great group!

Sue Anne

[Summerrain 520]

Glad we could all help you out. Just remember those videos are more of an understanding of how the lapband works. Your surgeon will have his set of instructions he will have you follow. Best if luck with your decision making!

[B-52 7,113]

Definitely takes away my hunger.....most times, when it comes to food, I am simply not interested.

I have gone full 24 hr days without eating anything substantial. Just little Snacks here and there.

But I am sure to get my Protein, even if it means liquid supplements.

And speaking for myself, I have NEVER felt full. There is never enough food in my stomach to get those feelings as I used to.

[SueAnneE 0]

Thanks again for all the great posts! I really appreciate them and it helps me know what I will experience.

Sue Anne

[B-52 7,113]

Thanks again for all the great posts! I really appreciate them and it helps me know what I will experience.

Sue Anne

Just be aware, it does not happen over night.....takes months to get there.

Your bands needs to be properly adjusted, and you need to learn new rules and habits untill they become automatic.

[honk 780]

To me the band means getting satiation vs feeling "full". If I feel really full, I've over eaten.

First until you get restriction from the saline injections this will be a diet. Make no mistake about that. A Diet.

What restriction means for me. Eating 3 oz of solid Protein, 3/4 cup low fat/salt/cals/carb veggies, maybe some fruit (grapes and cherries are great because you can stop after a couple and not feel bad that you are wasteing a whole apple) and feeling satisfied. Yesterday I had 3 oz unskinned chicken breast, Tomato spagetti sauce, parmesian and about 6 sugar snap peas for lunch and was full (I think that was from the heat).

This is where my sessions with the eating disorder therapist preop come into play. I ask myself are you still hungry? Hungry enough to keep eating? If not I stop. Even at restriction this is a mental game. Some people vomit if they eat too much I do not.

I can usually go 5 hour before feeling hungry. Yes, I do feel hunger. I often have 6-7 hours between lunch and dinner. I certainly feel hunger then. But 7 hours is a long time!

The band is not designed to stop you from eating anything. Some people come on here and say. I need another fill I can eat bread! Well so can I and I'm at restriction. The band isn't that smart. And it certainly will never stop you from eating candy, cake, crackers, or ice cream.