HeatherinCA

I think it's a bit of both, but yes, I agree a lot of it is mental. Learning how to make the right decisions. BUT, not being hungry all the time, helps me make better decisions, because if I'm not hungry, I'm less likely to grab a snack.. I think a lot of people don't understand how the band works, and what it's purpose is.. then they expect it to do more. To be honest, if I was told exactly how it worked, I'm not sure I would have gotten it. I agree with the saying "it banded my mind" because it did! Now everything that goes into my mouth is a conscious decision.

Yep. Read this: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html I feel too many people don't understand how the band works. I know it's a lot different than I thought it would be... but yes, mostly you have to control what you eat.

Nothing you can chew that early. Unless it completely turns to liquid.. which gummi bears wouldn't. Also, don't start with candy! Even the sugar free stuff has a bit of calories.

Water goes right through it doesn't matter! I probably wouldn't gulp a giant glass of water right before I eat.. for me, I don't drink WITH my meal, that's about it. The sipping is only for the first couple of weeks while you are healing.

If you are hungry, before 4 or 5 hours, then you need more fill but don't ever expect to be stuffed. If I get that feeling I feel like crap and I'm SO full of gas it's terribly uncomfortable. Maybe eat a little more? Just find things that are lower calorie so you can have more of them. There is no set amount on what you should eat. Just make sure you keep your calories in check. For me, I'm not satisfied with 3 bites of food, but some people are. My meals are fairly substantial just low in calories.

Your doc should prescribe liquid pain meds, and a liquid anti nausea medication. I didn't end up needing the nausea medication.. If they don't, then liquid tylenol. I agree the gas-x didn't do much for me either. I'd say get a heating pad, that helped me more than anything else. It hurts because it's in your stomach so pretty much whenever you move it's in pain since you use those muscles a lot.

You can gulp... water goes right through, even food only sits in the pouch for a few minutes...

Doesn't mean you should . The band doesn't stop you from eating... you will always have to control what goes in. For me, I can still eat any food, nothing gets stuck. So I do have to make conscious decisions. Yes, when you get a fill, your hunger will go down, so it'll make it easier to eat less.

I've done it all in the past.. weight watchers isn't a bad idea.. but I just don't feel it's necessary, unless you really want that extra guidance. I think weight watchers might be more food than we can actually eat with the band. The prepackaged Nutrisystem stuff is gross, and very expensive, and you have to add almost a full groceries each week on top of it! And then the second you eat real food you gain it all back. Because you didn't learn how to control your own diet.

Don't worry! I didn't have to do it, but i'll be a good learning experience, and you will be all prepared to diet after your surgery I think I almost would have liked a 6 month diet prior...

No idea.. I mean I don't just blab about it to everyone, but my family and friends know. For me, everyone knowing about it is kind of a personal motivator. They are holding me accountable. We are all fat people, we've been on every diet under the sun, it's not like our friends and family don't know that. I think some people view the surgery as like a cop-out... so that could be a reason to not tell them.

I was unemployed when I was banded, but I would say 7 days or so would be plenty. You might not feel 100% by then, but for me after day 4 or 5, I went and did normal things, like shopping or the movies.. got my hair done.

You shouldn't have any problems going to school. School isn't about eating, it's about learning. If you have problems with food just have a protein shake for lunch. I WISH I had done it in high school.

I wouldn't worry, just think of it as a jumpstart! it'll be EXTREMELY helpful knowing you can stick to a diet after surgery.

I'm sure by day 13 you will be thinking differently haha (then another week or two after surgery, then mushies for a week a or two..). But eventually you will get to eat again!

It's really different for every person. I can't say how the band will affect you. For me, I eat normally, but I eat less. I can eat ANYTHING, any type of food. I don't get sick, I haven't thrown up. I don't eat pencil eraser size bites. Generally if you are getting sick all the time, it's because your band is too full. (some people prefer it that way I guess?) but some bodies just have trouble with certain foods. If you are really scared, just have Soup or something when you go out. Or eat things you know you are comfortable with. Overall it IS much easier to eat at home, restaurant food is terrible for you. I'm discovering that more and more. As with any diet though, go find a meal at any restaurant that's 400 calories or less... you won't really find one. The lapband is there to control you hunger. When you get fills it prevents the hunger hormone from being released. So generally you don't have much appetite ever. It's not there to control what you eat. That will always be up to you.

Yes, but I don't think she's talking about that.

It won't fill you up at all...and has no nutriton what do you mean? alcohol? soda? 2 margaritas or pina coladas is like 1500 calories... thats more than you are aloud all day.

Everything she said. Alcohol you should wait at least 6 weeks till your body is healed. Even now though alcohol is weird cause you are such a cheap drunk LOL

Just drink your shakes, it sucks, but it'll be over soon enough

If you are hungry more often than every 4-5 hours. I mean PHYSICALLY hungry, then you need a fill. You shouldn't rely on any restriction, the band won't really stop you from eating, I eat a pretty healthy amount of food... it doesn't feel like I have anything in me! http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html <~read.

The hunger goes away after the fills, that is their purpose the amount of food you eat? You have to control that.

I never found any that I know of! I do the gummies.

You certainly can eat junk food, and I do on occasion. Sure it's fine to have an Oreo on occasion, don't worry. It's ok to mess up. But you have to learn not to justify eating bad things. I do it, oh it's only 1 it'll be fine. It's not good, Not gonna lie, I've been doing it a bit the past 2 weeks, and guess what? The scale didn't move. I think everyone is just saying don't "test" the band. Some people post like "oh I can eat 4 cups of pasta why is that? The band isn't stopping me" it's because the band doesn't work that way. The band is essentially diet and exercise, but it keeps your from being hungry all the time. Which is a big help! Everyone is just trying to help you. The bottom line is, we are on a diet, you have to watch calories. If you wish to include these things in your diet it's fine. But then some people eat these things and don't lose weight, then they wonder why. I think we are just saying don't get too excited about it. It IS about portion size, but 2 Oreo's is still 140 calories. That's like half a meals worth of calories. 1 cupcake has more calories than a bandster meal. I know it's not eating the whole sleeve, but it's still not a great food choice. You have to put things in perspective.

Yea, just healing because your body is kinda in shock, it all evens out after about 6 weeks. Also remember 1-2lbs a WEEK is normal. I know all the liquid diet weight is exciting, but it doesn't continue like that. Sounds like you are doing everything right though!