MaryAlice66

As I read this thread, I fel tlike I could've written it myself. I don't even bother with breakfast, try to eat lunch and then late afternoon & evening I feel like I could eat everything in sight. Actually, I am restricted, so I can't REALLY eat everything, but I WANT to, so I eat the things that go down...ice cream, chocolate, chips, crackers... I know I'm an emotional/stress eater, I just don't know how to combat it...

So how do you deal with the head hunger then? I agree, as I can get up from dinner feeling full and then an hour later want more food...

I had surgery 7/17/07 at the age of 52 - weighed 250 lbs - Lost the weight with in 1 yr - Today 136 - will be 56 on Saturday - I can tell you I feel better at 56 than I did at 46 !!!

Words of wisdom - This isn't the magic cure all to your issue with food - the band doesn't do the work - it's only a tool. The real work is up to you. You gotta get that this isn't a diet - but a total change in your eating habits - I had heard this a million times in WW - but as you know once we go on a diet - we lose the weight and then go back to eating normal and quit exercising - I finally realized that my eat normal and not exercising is what got me fat in the 1st place

I suggest counting calories - keeping a food & exercise diary - I did this until I reached goal - it's a learning tool - I changed my eating habits - I use to eat very high fat - tons of starches/carbs & sugar - and sat on my butt 24/7 365 (what else can you do when you weight 250 lbs - hell vacuuming the house made me break out in a sweat)

Today I eat health (low fat - limited starches & carbs & sugar) 98% of the time - I allow (budget) for treats 2% of the time - I go to the gym 4 times a week - 2 x's weights - 2 x cardio..

I will do this for the rest of my life if I want to maintain my new healthy body.. I will never go back to eating normal ;0) cuz I know where that will get me (250 lbs)

The quality of my life has improved - I can go zip lining - I can para sail - I can scub dive - I can hike a mountain - I am no longer limited in what I can or can't do..

The band will never take away your head hunger and imho that's where most of hunger is - in our heads

I can be physically full from dinner - but my band doesn't stop my head from telling me I'm still hungry - I still crave more food - I want the taste - I love the taste of food..

So just don't think that once you are banded that it's going to be the magic cure all - the real work is up to you..

I also eat around my band ... the things I *should* be eating seem to make me vomit -- chicken, veggies -- so I tend to want to eat things like Cookies, chips, etc. I'm frustrated because I know what I should eat, but can't seem to make myself do it. I had my surgery 3 years ago this month -- lost around 70 pounds in the first 18 months and have now gained it all back. Am thinking that maybe I should start over with the Protein Shakes and soft foods or something, but I'm not sure if that's realistic. I was thinking a few weeks of the liquids... thoughts?

I had my lapband surgery in January 2008, lost about 70 pounds, but have since gained it all back. I'd like to start over with it ... definitely still have restriction ... is it realistic to think I could do just the Protein Shakes for awhile (a few weeks) to get back on track?