i am a binge eater,is the lapband right for me?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I have to say really discuss it with your surgeon and the psychologist. I still stand by the fact that being "stopped" depends on WHAT you eat. Deserts? you can really chow down on those. Cookies? ditto. chips? YES. I know someone said she couldn't but that's rare.

I personally can't eat a lot of pizza but many can....especially thin. It really hinges on WHAT you are eating. If you get so restricted that you can't overeat ANYTHING then often you are so tight you can't even get Water or your own saliva down.

I am not saying the band isn't great, or that anyone who "binged" would "fail" at it. I'm saying we all overeat in different ways for different reasons. Grazers, for example, don't do as well with the band because you can kind of graze your way all day through a bunch of calories, keeping a slow trickle of food going through a restricted band. It's not a panacea, or a cure all. It's a wonder, but it doesn't work for everyone.

PLEASE you bingers, give yourselves the very best chance you can to be successful. Talk to a psychologist and your surgeon...see if you have "head" issues that need to be addressed first (again with the caveat that we are all different...some may need additional intervention, others not) but give yourself every chance on earth to beat your disease. Don't just cross your fingers and think "oh well this HAS to work". It doesn't have to work. It may not. It may. Find out. Good luck to each and every one of you!

[Berry40 0]

I'm also thinking of going to a therapist/counselor to see why I eat the way I do and why I always turn to food. What kind of therapist should I see? I've been trying to research this but can't get an answer. Should I see a psycologist, psychiatrist??

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I'm also thinking of going to a therapist/counselor to see why I eat the way I do and why I always turn to food. What kind of therapist should I see? I've been trying to research this but can't get an answer. Should I see a psycologist, psychiatrist??

I wanted a "behavioral" therapist because, from my introductory psych course (pre req for nursing school) I learned that behaviorists try to modify your behavior, and are usually quite successful. While the "why" may matter and can be explored, the actual bad behavior is the focus. I liked that because I have combed through my psyche and my past ad nauseum for "why" I overate. Not to beat that horse, but the behaviorist helped me a lot. I think if I'd found her when I was about 50 pounds over I wouldn't have needed the band, but what I learned with her (both the why and behavior mods) are helping me be successful with the band.

Behavioral may not be for you...but I googled "therapists who treat eating disorders and accept Tricare in San Antonio" and lo and behold a list popped up! LOL People often say "ask your PCP" but mine hadn't a clue. I went through the list, found several I liked, and clicked on the phone with "Pat" whom I used for just under a year.

You might try a similar search? We think of eating disorders as usually meaning anorexia, or maybe bulimia, but obesity is an eating disorder too.

Good luck!

[Berry40 0]

HI,

Thanks so much for the tips. I also have Tricare and checked with my plan and I'm allowed to see a Behavioral therapists. I'm going to check into it this week!

Thank you!

Sherri

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Good luck! It took a while but I finally realized Pat was really helping, so if you find one you like, hang in there with him/her for a bit to see if it will do you some good. I think going to Pat was one of the smartest things I've done for myself in a while!