Will I fail at this too?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

wvgall33...I surely don't have the solution to head hunger, but I went to a behavioral therapist for 10 mos on my own before even starting the lap band process (I wanted to exhaust all other avenues before I had therapy) and she helped me recognize the difference. It's not something easy I can just pass on to you; I wish I could. I had to really work at it. But now most times I can tell if I'm eating "just because" or because I'm really HUNGRY. That doesn't STOP me from overeating, unfortunately, but I have a better grasp on why and when I overeat. I'm working on it....it's a process, I think.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I need to proof read. I wanted to exhaust all avenues before surgery, not therapy. therapy was an avenue I exhausted! LOL

And I want to say I think you're pretty brave and I bet you'll really do wonderfully with the band; I look forward to "seeing" it happen here on this board!

[conniecasino 0]

Ok, Heres my 2 cents.....I had those same feelings, I have done every diet out there and spent tons of money just to fail and gain back everything I lost. I was concerned that the lap band would be the same old thing but more expensive, I kept gaining and gaining and overeating and started all my diets on Monday. Let me just say that the lap band has saved my life.....the weight loss is slow at first until you start getting fills. After 2 or 3 fills you start feeling a detachment with food. I would look at a pizza and just know that I can't eat that and my urge would go away. Towards the end of your first year, you should be pretty tight and I will tell you that there is NO way I could ever gain back all my weight. First of all you can't eat much food and you really get to the point that you don't care about food anymore! I know that sounds weird but its true. I'm a Texas girl and everything we eat is fried and with gravy. The only regret I have with the lap band is that I waited until I was 50 to do it. Go for it!!

[stevegoad 32]

I'm not going to sit here and make a "feel good" note.

I am a man who in 2004 weighed in at 384. In the next 6 months, I lost to 248 on SlimFast. My diabetes got under control, and I was feeling great. From 2005-2008, I gained it back and then some.

I got banded last month, after I jumped to 412. I am paying out of pocket to the tune of 15,000 over the next 7 years. I didn't do it because it was an easy way out, but because I wanted an extra tool to help me do what I knew I could do.

Lap band, gastric bypass, or anything, can only help if you want it to. I have made plenty of excuses in the past as to why I ate "I was eating with a group, and wanted to be social." "I was eating alone, because there was nothing else to do." "I was eating when I drove because it kept me awake." "I was eating before bed because I couldn't sleep."

But if I fail this, which I can do easily (there is always ice cream in our house) then I am failing myself, my wife, and possibly playing my last ace.

The fact is, if you use the tool, it is great. If you don't then you shouldn't blame the tool for the failure.

If, on the other hand, that you really feel that you can do better with something else, then go for it. In the end, however, it's up to you.

[MissBS 3]

Hi. You've gotten lots of replies... which I might add, helped me too. I think you are very brave for being so honest in your post. Not many of us can read your letter and find things that didn't, or don't, describe us as well. It sounds like you are making your way to a decision. It is a big decision - take your time. I wish you all the luck in the world and this site sure is a good place to learn all there is to know about the lapband!!