Drasan

Been on my plateau for too long. A more honest way of saying that would be, "I've been sitting on my behind for too long." Thanks for the motivation. Great article.

Been on my plateau for too long. A more honest way of saying that would be, "I've been sitting on my behind for too long." Thanks for the motivation. Great article.

Been on my plateau for too long. A more honest way of saying that would be, "I've been sitting on my behind for too long." Thanks for the motivation. Great article.

So much understanding and words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.
The suggestion to see a therapist is an excellent one. I think for many banders, a behavior therapist is just as important as a nutritionist, if not more so. I see my pcp and a new bariatric surgeon for follow up care this week. I'm going to ask them both for a recommendation for an eating disorder therapist. I really need to get my head on straight so my band will stay that way.
I think those of us who struggle with eating disorders soon learn that they don't go away with band surgery. Please don't let this post close this conversation. I want to hear from you.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to share your stories and offer advice/suggestions! It really means a lot that 'strangers' care enough to support someone who is still trying to make the right decision.
I am so sorry that some of you have had less than desirable experiences, and of course I know that statistically, that's to be expected. I'm sure you're wondering "why me?" -- I know I would be! My wish is that you find all have success with those stubborn places (whether it's hunger, lack of fills, doctors who won't listen, etc.) and become the healthiest YOU you wanted to be when you started!
And congratulations to those who have had the successes you dreamed of - your experiences are enlightening and encouraging. I'm a very positive person (sometimes too much so), and I tend to think the best WILL happen in every situation, and this one is no different. I will be looking forward to my nutrition and mental health appointments this month, and in finally getting to meet the surgeon (why won't they meet you before you jump through the hoops?).
I'd also love to hear more comments/advice from any of you who have the time and desire to share. I know how important a support system is, and though I do have about 5 people in my personal life that have had either LapBand or bypass surgeries, I'd love to have an online network of friends to commiserate/celebrate with!
thank you again for your time and input! :-)

I was. A binge eater....entire large pizzas by myself, full quarts of ice cream, enough Chinese take out to feed 4....
2 things happened with the band......one, the hunger has been alleviated, along with the interest in food....second, the band has set my portion sizes....if I were to attempt to eat too much it would probably result in pain, and probably regurgitation.....
Both of which will result in behavior modification....at least that is what happened to me....I cannot overeat, if I wanted to...which I no longer want to....

I love this thread, I am also struggling with my head hunger big time. I'm seeing my pcp next week and will ask him if he can recommend a counselor who specializes in eating disorders. My pcp is also a bandster so he will understand. My problem is I want to binge on sugar, candy, chocolate etc... I stand in front of the fridge and kitchen cabinets, my empty cookie jar and I don't understand these feelings of wanting to eat but being physically unable to is so hard. It's very confusing. I'm not always able to leave the house for a walk or easily distract myself, but I am trying so hard....

Have you discussed this with your doc or a counselor? After I was banded, I started tapering off of an anti-depressant. As I got further and further down in the dosage, I started having problems with fixations on food. For example, when my DH was adjusting to an insulin pump, he kept candy around the house to counteract low blood sugar episodes. Just having in house made me preoccupied with eating that candy. I would decide to have candy, even though I: a) wasn't hungry, didn't even really want it, and c) knew it was in the house for a temporary and possibly emergent, need.
I began see a counselor to get some help with these "head hunger" issues. (I didn't need a fill.) She opined that I may have some OCD traits and recommended that I resume taking an antidepressant, but suggested a different one. My pcp agreed and prescribed the medication. It really has helped.
It also helps that DH has his blood sugar under control with the right dose of bolus insulin. He also carries glucose tabs if he needs something to counteract low blood sugar.

i was a binger (especially during tough times)..struggling with that right now (although i am not doing it, its never far from my mind).....
i was also bulemic in high school......i binged big time and then purged and also abused exlax for a long time....therapy def helped but what helped me most was realizing what i was doing to myself and then seeking help.
id never lecture you as i know what you are feeling.
but like TMF said, you stand at fridge and you make the decision to eat or not.
i do that every day.....i am stronger than that bag of lays bbq chips and a case of coors light...sure it would taste awesome......but afterwards i'd feel like SH*T
if you feel a binge, what i do is, walk, read or take a bath or give myself a time out or post on this forum
i am not sure if my answer is what you were looking for but its the one i wanted to post just the same...please take care of yourself and your band as you are the only one who can do that.

I feel incredibly vulnerable posting this. Please don't hate.
Binge eating was officially defined in 2010 as an eating disorder. To use a broad paint brush, isn't that how most of us got to be overweight? Binge eating?
When our bands are working properly, they help to prevent us from eating too much. What they don't do is make the mental feeling of needing to eat/binge go away.
It's been over three years for me since band surgery. I bounce around a weight loss of 40-50 lbs for which I'm grateful. But there are still times when I feel the need to binge. Sometimes I win the battle, sometimes I don't. Please don't lecture me on how dangerous binging is for banders, I know.
Does anybody else with a band suffer from eating disorders? Can we talk?

There is physical hunger and there is the mental 'head' hunger. The band does not make the mental hunger go away. After the initial honeymoon with the band is over, the mental hunger is still there. At least that's been my experience. You will still have to fight the will power battle.

I feel incredibly vulnerable posting this. Please don't hate.
Binge eating was officially defined in 2010 as an eating disorder. To use a broad paint brush, isn't that how most of us got to be overweight? Binge eating?
When our bands are working properly, they help to prevent us from eating too much. What they don't do is make the mental feeling of needing to eat/binge go away.
It's been over three years for me since band surgery. I bounce around a weight loss of 40-50 lbs for which I'm grateful. But there are still times when I feel the need to binge. Sometimes I win the battle, sometimes I don't. Please don't lecture me on how dangerous binging is for banders, I know.
Does anybody else with a band suffer from eating disorders? Can we talk?

There is physical hunger and there is the mental 'head' hunger. The band does not make the mental hunger go away. After the initial honeymoon with the band is over, the mental hunger is still there. At least that's been my experience. You will still have to fight the will power battle.

I feel incredibly vulnerable posting this. Please don't hate.
Binge eating was officially defined in 2010 as an eating disorder. To use a broad paint brush, isn't that how most of us got to be overweight? Binge eating?
When our bands are working properly, they help to prevent us from eating too much. What they don't do is make the mental feeling of needing to eat/binge go away.
It's been over three years for me since band surgery. I bounce around a weight loss of 40-50 lbs for which I'm grateful. But there are still times when I feel the need to binge. Sometimes I win the battle, sometimes I don't. Please don't lecture me on how dangerous binging is for banders, I know.
Does anybody else with a band suffer from eating disorders? Can we talk?

I feel incredibly vulnerable posting this. Please don't hate.
Binge eating was officially defined in 2010 as an eating disorder. To use a broad paint brush, isn't that how most of us got to be overweight? Binge eating?
When our bands are working properly, they help to prevent us from eating too much. What they don't do is make the mental feeling of needing to eat/binge go away.
It's been over three years for me since band surgery. I bounce around a weight loss of 40-50 lbs for which I'm grateful. But there are still times when I feel the need to binge. Sometimes I win the battle, sometimes I don't. Please don't lecture me on how dangerous binging is for banders, I know.
Does anybody else with a band suffer from eating disorders? Can we talk?

There is physical hunger and there is the mental 'head' hunger. The band does not make the mental hunger go away. After the initial honeymoon with the band is over, the mental hunger is still there. At least that's been my experience. You will still have to fight the will power battle.

No I was never a binge eater. My problem is constant grazing. This is actually harder to "fix" with the band although the band does help a lot by taking away some of the hunger.

I doubt anyone would lecture over binging being dangerous to one's health and for some it's an addiction of some sort. I was never a binger myself, I just ate the wrong foods and would sit down and eat too much. But sweets, ice cream, cakes etc were never my achilles heel.
I still find myself standing in front of an open refrigerator door and realizing I'm not hungry and why the Hell am I standing there? The band has given me the knowledge to know when I'm hungry and when I'm craving. Right now, the band is winning but sometimes I still give in to the craving but so much less now than ever before.

I have trouble at night around bed time. Think is has to do with one of my medications. I try really hard to have healthier things to eat. There are many times when I dont feel like I can stop myself, but I am better at the choices I make. Best of luck to you and thanks for sharing.

I was a big time binge eater. The problem is, the type of foods I binged on are also slider foods so I could still very easily binge if I let myself.
I have said many times- if I'd had this surgery 2 years before I did, I'd have failed miserably. Why? Because I wasn't in the right place mentally to be successful with it. I'd have continued to binge and eat around the band. Quite honestly, I probably would've blamed the band for my own failure, too. I was in a horrible place emotionally and I doubt I'd have taken any responsibility for my actions.
Thankfully, when I did get the Lap Band, I had gone through a lot of inner healing and I was in a good place emotionally. This to me is key. In fact, it breaks my heart because I see over and over on these boards how badly people sabotage themselves with their eating habits. I've been called "harsh" or "mean" a couple times for suggesting people seek counseling before getting the band. I never mean in a harsh or negative way, I simply believe until we get a grip on our mental issues we're never going to be successful with our physical issues.
As we always say- the band goes around our stomachs not our brains. The head issues will forever be ours to fix.
Best wishes on your continued journey.

I am 5 months out and it is hell yet...only lost 35 lbs as of now which am thankful for.
It is all will power yet but hoping my next fill will do something. I do think it is better since my last fill but not there yet. Am satisfied longer...eat well...but still have no loss to speak of. It seems the less I eat...I actually gain? I have had no problems what so ever...thank god...but it also is not what I envisioned it to be and do either despite all the research I did the whole year prior to surgery. Would I take it back?....no...cause I really dont know its there and have lost some weight due to pure will power and am hoping I am just one of the slow ones to find that "sweet spot". I guess I dont really know what I am going to feel yet at this point as nothing has changed for me personally since the band but am very hopeful it is going to do something soon.
In the mean time...I do what everyone on here says...hang with it and it will pay off and to be patient. I am scared too that I am "one" that is just wont work for. I am following drs. orders very well in fact probably not eating enuf if anything. I am determined to stay the course. I am finding it hard pressed if I will even hit 60 lbs my first year at this rate....only 9 lbs since xmas which is so discouraging but it is something despite being a small amt.
Research, research, and research some more and get as much information as you can to understand how it really works. It is very hard and yes a "diet the rest of your life" no matter what anyone says.
Best wishes to us all as we are all striving for the same thing...to be healthier

There is physical hunger and there is the mental 'head' hunger. The band does not make the mental hunger go away. After the initial honeymoon with the band is over, the mental hunger is still there. At least that's been my experience. You will still have to fight the will power battle.

Thank you DeLarla for this great thread! I relate to so many of the posts that all of you have made!
This thread stands as a testament that morbid obesity is not just a physical disorder but it is also a mental/behavior disorder. The band and other WLS aid us with our physical disorder. What the band and other WLS do not do is help us with our mental/behavior disorder. We know what we should do intellectually, it's just not connecting with our emotional brain. I love the references to a "band for the brain."
I eat when I'm stressed.
I eat when I'm bored.
I eat when I'm procrastinating.
I eat to Celebrate.
I eat when I'm sad.
I eat when I'm happy.
I eat to morn.
I eat when I'm tired.
I eat when I'm thirsty.
I eat and sometimes have no idea why I'm eating.
I even eat when I'm too full sometimes and I'm not thinking, to try to make that too full feeling go away. yea, I know, crazy.
After band surgery, I eat less at those times. Thank goodness for the band.
I'm shocked that long term behavior therapy is not required pre-op and post-op for WLS patients.
A large support group meeting once a month where we get talked to, is not enough. It's helpful but dang, read these posts!!!
We need help!
It feels very scary to make this post. I feel very exposed just like many of you have expressed. Thank you for your bravery. It helped me to get this out.

Alicesandra,
Weight gain is unwelcomed no matter how it arrives. I'm empathize with the pain of being overweight.
After reading your post, I'm prompted to respond because from everything I know about the function of the band as a tool, it doesn't sound like it is the correct solution for you. The band works best to help those of us who tend to consume too much food to refrain from doing so. If you aren't consuming enough food, what are your expectations from band surgery?
Congratulations on the weight loss!