WLS versus No WLS Is it really worth it?

shaggs · January 19, 2009

I'm getting my surgery date on Thursday and I'm keen to go and very excited! However, I have one last lingering concern. What is the difference with dealing with food addiction with or without the band? Its seems that everyone is still suffering trying to not eat the wrong foods or bypassing the band or not having enough "will power" and I just wonder how is that different to what we go through on a standard diet without a band? The band then just adds its own issues eg: surgery issues, reflux, pain, financial costs, food sensitivities and sometimes, god forbid, food cravings??!?!??!? Do I really need the added aggravation? I worry that one day down the track I will be in exactly the same position as I'm in now - not being able to control myself around food - thats the only thing I want to be rid of. The weight loss is kind of secondary (kind of) my main concern is getting rid of this obsessive food addiction. Does the band really help keep us under control? Are we just replacing one obsession for another? To go from food to fills? Love to hear from anyone with any advice good, bad or otherwise.

emmaf106 · January 19, 2009

You are right. At the end of the day the band is still just a tool to help your weightloss, not a miracle cure. You still need to exercise and use some self control to get the results. However, the band does help controlling your hunger and portion sizes (which a traditional diet doesn't). Regarding food addiction, I used to LOVE me a whopper with cheese. And for the first month, that's all I wanted to eat. But after you've PB'd for the 7th time on a burger, it starts to lose its appeal. And frankly, I rarely think about those burgers anymore. Once you realise you literally can't eat certain foods, they do fall off the radar.

gingerbug · January 20, 2009

Its seems that everyone is still suffering trying to not eat the wrong foods or bypassing the band or not having enough "will power" and I just wonder how is that different to what we go through on a standard diet without a band? The band then just adds its own issues eg: surgery issues, reflux, pain, financial costs, food sensitivities and sometimes, god forbid, food cravings??!?!??!?

Not everyone is suffering with eating the wrong foods or trying to bypass the band or dealing with willpower. You have to realize that a lot of people who are successful with the band are out living their lives and not on a message board (present company excluded :scared2:) so you might not hear their success stories. The difference between the band and a standard diet is I am not hungry. Being hungry is what killed every diet I have ever been on. The band may add some of its own issues but I would gladly deal with those issues as a trade off of being able to live my life a normal size and to be able to live my life substantially longer.

Jachut · January 20, 2009

Same here. I dont live a life full of discomfort, vomiting and food obsession.

I do think that my approach was useful for me, though, and taht was that I was NEVER going to diet again. I eat anything I want to. But certain foods are harder than others and if they are uncomfortable to eat then they do fall off the radar eventually. I would never WANT to eat a whopper anymore, the mere thought is revolting. Then again, I used to like a nice garden salad, now I loathe it, precisely because it feels quite awful for me to eat. Everyone is different there though.

I dont have any problems with my band, its the best thing I ever did. No, it doesnt make me exercise like I do but anything that helped me to find that ability in myself is worthwhile!

shaggs · January 20, 2009

Thank you guys for your excellent replies, they were exactly what I needed (and wanted) to hear. I had been thinking all of the things you mentioned but the overriding themes in these forums are not so positive although I do realise that you seek other people for help not to bang on and on about how great you're doing so there would be an inclination for the people facing difficulties to be more prevalent. You've made me even more determined and excited about the surgery - thank you both again!

kaytie.lou · January 20, 2009

What is the difference with dealing with food addiction with or without the band? ... Are we just replacing one obsession for another? Love to hear from anyone with any advice good, bad or otherwise.

hyia shaggs,

i had the same thoughts before I was banded 8 weeks ago (i'm a newey) my take on it is to compare it with a heroin addiction treatment, where by they use Naltrexone to block the effects of opiates. If you are taking Naltrexone and you use heroin, it doesnt have the same impact. you just dont get that feeling. Well, for me, the band is similar, sure I can technically eat for emotional reasons, but it doesnt have the same impact (or payoff) as my pre-band binges. (which i my case was a nice long sugar/food coma)

If you take away the feeling you get from mis-using food, then, the desire to use it in a negative way slowly goes away too (well for me anyway) And in a weird way, the feeling I get from using food in a negative way now is so vastly different to the feeling I got from my pre-band binges, that it doesnt work. I know that sounds a bit mumbo jumbo, but in my case (and i think mabey for alot of people) I was addicted to the way overeating made me feel and to being obese, not the actual act of overeating. I'd have to work really hard now to get in enough calories to one sitting to give me that 'sugar coma' feeling and not leave me feeling so full that it hurts. And, happily, I dont want to do that work:-)

oh, plus, i see a physcologist as well, that helps alot with the food/emotional issues. If your surgeon hasnt recommended seeing one, I suggest you think about it. especially if you can find someone that specialises in food issues. its worth every penny!

cheers,

katie

shaggs · January 20, 2009

Loved your reply Katie, that is what I have been hoping for, some sort of explanation as to where all the bad thoughts go and I think you hit the nail on the head. I've had a similar experience on Duromine but it is so not a long term (or short term for that matter) solution. I do see a therapist also and yes, it certainly does help unfortunately its never often enough or for long enough but it has changed things quite alot.

Anyway, thank you for your reply and good luck with the coming months - I so wish I was at your end of the process - just want the surgery done so I can get on with it now!

Shaggs

kaytie.lou · January 21, 2009

hi shaggs,

glad my ramblings made some sense to you:-) you'll be on the other side of your surgery before you know it, it goes so fast! Good luck with the coming months.

cheers,

katie