Strong Negative Emotional Reaction to Band

Bejeweled · June 28, 2007

Consafo, we were banded on the same day at the same place. All I can say is Wow! I am so sorry that you are going through this rough period so soon after being banded. I haven't had any of the issues that you have (no pain, no hunger) so it must be tough for you. My sympathies.

My advice is to try to remember why you chose to have the band installed. There must have been something inside of you that trusted that this tool, that this time, things will be different than all of the other times in the past that have failed. You have to know that you are totally worth it and that you deserve to be happy and loved and slim and healthy. Try not to think so much of the present but try to think of yourself in a year from now and what you would say to yourself today. Do you think a year from now you would advise your old you to just hang in there and have trust in yourself and in your decision to be banded? I would hope so.

I know exactly what you mean about the foreign object inside yourself feeling. I thought that exact same thing and even mentioned it during my consultation. The response that I got from Kathy which helped me is that she mentioned people getting pacemakers for their heart, and people getting shunts/stents to help them. Those medical devices stay inside other people's bodies because they need them. We need the band to help us become/remain at a healthy weight. It's a tool like any other medical device (i.e. I wear contacts and glasses and have insoles for my shoes to help me see and walk).

Also, I do remember reading on this forum a threat exactly like yours when people got very depressed right after being banded (did a search and couldn't find it), but it is a common response to the anesthesia that remains in your body for a while. Don't think that it's all in your head or that you are alone in this.

Give it time and hang in there.

abominableglib · June 28, 2007

I was in therapy for about 1 1/2 years before I got my band dealing with family issues and depression. Since the band, I have been having many of the same feelings as you. My therapist reminds me each appt. that it is not a surprise. He warned me that if I had the surgery I would have no choice but to deal with feelings. I have stored anger in my fat cells til this time and self medicated with food and over eating. Now that I can't over eat I have to deal with FEELINGS. It's not easy. Perhaps you can find someone to talk with and work through your feelings. I have no doubt that my weight has been an example of "stuffing my feelings" to this point. Good luck. Be Blessed and hang in there! Kelly

MysticstarD · June 30, 2007

I had surgery 4 days ago and I have felt like you but in a mild way. When I woke up from the surgery I felt a small amount of panic and thought what the hell did I do to myself and in these few days I have had the ocassional feeling of why did I do this? due to seeing my family enjoy food like normal and I can't.

I know I did this because w/o it my weight and health will get worse and before I know it I will be eating "normal". I have already lost 13 pounds since the liquid diet.

Hang in there. Skinny does taste better than anyting you can put in your mouth.

I hope you are feeling better by now.

PS I have had lots of dreams with food I am not eating it but I am preparing it or surrounded by it

ConSafo · June 30, 2007

Thanks again everyone for all your support!

I'm feeling alot better with each day.

I think it's that the pain is finally settling down, and I can no longer feel the port(like, before, i could feel it in me) unless I press against it.

I felt alot better when I stepped on the scale and saw a bunch of weight had come off(I allways loose quickly for the first while)

I'm still having madd food cravings(not to be confused with those mothers against drunk driving cravings...lol)

Thanks for all the support! I'll be sure to keep in mind all your postive words.

I think before the surgery I never realised how bad my addiction was. And how much I needed food as a support...

But, in reality, it's good I did this, because, I sure know continuing on like this would have shortened my life.

And, just the other day i got invited to a fashion event by a friend, and of course, couldn't find anything to wear. And for a bit allmost thought I wouldn't bother going, because of being over weight. I can't wait for the day were my weight no longer impares me from doign things I want to do.

babygrl1234 · June 30, 2007

And, just the other day i got invited to a fashion event by a friend, and of course, couldn't find anything to wear. And for a bit allmost thought I wouldn't bother going, because of being over weight. I can't wait for the day were my weight no longer impares me from doign things I want to do.

I am glad you are feeling a little bit better. Just wait until you have nothing to wear because it is all too big. That nothing to wear feeling is great!