So Does This Really Work For Food Addicts(experienced bandits please)

[Jachut 487]

There's a few things the band helps with.

I dont really believe in "food addiction" but I'm sure that's because I probably dont suffer it. What I do suffer is a hyperinterest in food - I'm always willing to eat, hungry or not, and it takes fullness to stop me, pre band I couldnt set out a plate, calorie counted and portion measured and eat it and stop there if it didnt FILL me. I need to eat till I feel not sick full or bursting but well satisfied.

With the band that happens on a reasonable portion of food.

I will ALWAYS have a problem with certain trigger foods - Cookies, chocolate, sometimes potato chips, cakes and muffins. I can and do sometimes indulge in these foods. I have a real problem when I'm busy during the day and dont eat a lot, or if I eat really low calorie during the day with getting to 4pm and just not being able to stop myself, I want those foods and sometimes I just eat them.

But with the band, I can do that, fine, and regret it, but what I cant do is overindulge in them to the point where I used to and I cant eat my dinner if I've done it. So the calories do level out and although its by no means a healthy habit, it doesnt tend to affect my weight like it used to.

And some foods that are really terrible, like McDonalds and pizza are just such hard work and so prone to causing me discomfort that even though I might have a passing fancy, its easy dismissed and overall I dont want them anymore.

The band just slows me up, makes me less hungry overall and able to make better decisions most of the time, and if I do break down and pig out, its limited and not so damaging. What I have to do is make good decisions, and plan for times when I know I'm likely to fail.

Non band related but possibly the biggest and most effective change I have made though is to take up running. Believe me, if you run for an hour a day that cuts you fairly major slack in your dietary choices. I'm maintaining on about 1800 to 2000 calories a day now, which is quite a lot.

[DesertRose 0]

Dear Speck,

I too deal with food addictions in the worst way. I'm awaiting my 3rd fill and am thinking about asking my surgeon if I can come in early (next fill Sept. 18). I started out at 247 pre-op (I'm 5' 3"). I can blame having 4 kids and stopping smoking, but the simple fact is, over the years I learned to depend on food for comfort and relief. A couple of things I'm learning about WHY I have depended on food is:

1. I've used my weight as my armor

2. I've associated feeling hungry with pain, and vice-versa

I'm down to 232, and the weight loss has been slow since I was banded in June, but the problem is ME and not the band. I love the shovel analogy used by the other poster (I'm sorry, forgot the name) and it is so true. As we learn to use the band as the tool it is intended to be, we will learn to recognize real hunger and somewhere, in the not so distant future, we will learn to deal with all the head stuff. We will make it!!!!

[slimmy120 2]

Well i have to be real conscious of what i eat, so no addiction still there ------lost heaps but now have massive shopping addiction- went to the opt shop today already have like 6 pairs of boots - the most expensive $60 only, but went to opshop and they had heaps of boots for $5 - SO I BOUGHT TEN YES 10 PAIRS,as if i really need ten pairs, actually went looking for black leggins could not find any went to a cheap shop which had leggins for $7.50 ---- so bought them in every colour thats 12 pairs, but can wear under dresses and at home but did i need 12 pairs, this addiction only started about 2mnths ago ---- but oh .

Edited August 30, 2008 by slimmy120
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[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

I was a serious food addict. I had stashes all over the house. What my band has enabled me to do is to build a new relationship with food. I still enjoy food but I no longer over enjoy! I am able to make better choices. I am now 2 years out and due to some complications my band is unfilled. I have the first week been able to maintain my weight which is under my goal as well as not indulge in my trigger foods. The band has taught me that I am worth more than any taste of anything. I can now eat a small piece of cake and walk away happy. I no longer feel the need to eat the whole thing.

If you commit to the band it can change it all. Good luck!

[TulipStar 2]

TulipStar, I see you've lost 102 lbs! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! When did you reach that milestone and did you start a new thread with it? I LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing successes like yours because it helps to keep me going. Thank you for being on this forum and being such a shining example.

Hi Dionna,

Thanks! :biggrin:

I just reached 100 lbs during this past week. I didn't start a new thread bc I am also almost in ONEderland (only 3 lbs to go!!), so maybe I will Celebrate both at the same time.

I did take some new pictures and posted them to the before/after picture thread. I also have some new pics on my blog.

[speck 1]

Thanks for all the positive post.

Wouldn't it be nice if we all lived by each other!!!!!! Great support.

Sandra

[lessme 0]

Kat817, I loved your post I want to hear more about the band pressing on the hunger nerves when it is properly filled. My doctor tried to explain it but he was in a hurry and didn't explain it very well. Can you elaborate ot this aspect of the band?

[Donna113 2]

TulipStar, you looks fantastic!!!! You're such an inspiration.

If anyone here has any doubt the band works, just look at the results TulipStar, BooBooKitty and Jachut got from it.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

The band presses on the nerve called the vagus nerve. This is the nerve that tells our brain we are full. We are able to feel full on a small amount of food. Sometimes, when I go out to lunch, I am so full for so long, I have to force myself to eat dinner. I have that full feeling like I just ate a thanksgiving dinner until like 8pm.

[Donna113 2]

The band presses on the nerve called the vagus nerve. This is the nerve that tells our brain we are full. We are able to feel full on a small amount of food. Sometimes, when I go out to lunch, I am so full for so long, I have to force myself to eat dinner. I have that full feeling like I just ate a thanksgiving dinner until like 8pm.

I'm waiting for that feeling. I had my second fill 3 days ago and don't feel restriction yet.

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

I'm waiting for that feeling. I had my second fill 3 days ago and don't feel restriction yet.

For me it took until my 3rd or 4th before I really had that. Now I miss it so much! It does come Dionna, just takes time! :tongue2:

[Donna113 2]

Thanks Brandy. I'm trying to remember I didn't pack on the pounds overnight and they won't be melting off overnight either.

I read your inspirational story in the Lap Band Success Story Forum and felt very inspired. It was good to read it because lately there seems to be a lot of bad stories popping up in here and being a newbie, it's caused me to second guess the lapband. That on top of the uninspiring support group I went to earlier this week and my very slow weight loss since surgery. I'm told I'm in bandster hell but that once I break through it will really start to work for me. I was doing the C25K but my knee started acting up and the doctor told me with my RA, I cannot jog so I was told to rest the knee for a week and start back on walking. I plan on starting back on the walking tomorrow so hopefully that will lift my spirits. I was really enjoying the C25K and felt really depressed that I had to give it up.

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

Thanks Dionna.

SO you can't run or walk. Find what you CAN do and do that. Being depressed fixes nothing. Just find something else!

AND PLEASE do not listen to all the garbage going on lately. PLEASE!