Hello everyone!

I am glad for this forum, as I have been lurking on here for a few days checking out the lap band options.

Here is my question for you guys...and I hope that no one takes offense to the question...I am just not quite sure I really understand how this all works?

From what I can tell...when you have the surgery and afterwards, you are sort of forced to eat healthier.

My BMI is 43 and I would qualify for surgery...I am just not sure if I would just be better off pretending I have it and do what I am calling a "lap band diet"... If I can make myself eat that way AFTER the surgery...is there something stopping me from doing it now?

What does having the surgery give me in terms of will power?

I guess if I REALLY wanted to lose the weight I would have the will power to quit eating all of the junk I am eating...

What is it about the surgery that creates the will power not to eat unhealthy foods?

This question may sound silly...but hopefully someone out there understands what I am asking?

Edited to add: And my profile says I am a male - I am a female - how do I get that fixed? *Nevermind...figured it out.

Edited January 18, 201016 yr by ~mary

I have not had surgery yet but have done plenty of research in advance. I answered your questions as well as I could. You will receive differing opinions and that will help you with weighing your options.

Hello everyone!

I am glad for this forum, as I have been lurking on here for a few days checking out the LAP-BAND® options.

Here is my question for you guys...and I hope that no one takes offense to the question...I am just not quite sure I really understand how this all works?

Screw them if they are offended

From what I can tell...when you have the surgery and afterwards, you are sort of forced to eat healthier.

Buzz!! The lapband in no way forces you to eat healthier!!!

My BMI is 43 and I would qualify for surgery...I am just not sure if I would just be better off pretending I have it and do what I am calling a "LAP-BAND® diet"... If I can make myself eat that way AFTER the surgery...is there something stopping me from doing it now?

If you can lose the weight and keep it off without surgery, by all means do it! Surgery should be a last resort.

Many of us have lost hundreds of pounds on other diets only to gain it back and then some.

What does having the surgery give me in terms of will power?

Nothing, nada, nil!

The lapband is a tool that will help you feel full after eating only a fraction of what you eat now. There are plenty of calorie dense slider foods and liquids that are not affected by the lapband. So, you still have to use will power to stay away from those.

I guess if I REALLY wanted to lose the weight I would have the will power to quit eating all of the junk I am eating...

What is it about the surgery that creates the will power not to eat unhealthy foods?

Nothing.

This question may sound silly...but hopefully someone out there understands what I am asking?

We all do!! We've all been and are where you are now.

The best thing I can do is recommend that you read as many of the posts on this site as possible.

The lapband is not a magic wand or pill. It is a tool and it comes with instruction to make it operate properly.

Edited to add: And my profile says I am a male - I am a female - how do I get that fixed?

Click "User CP" on the top left here.

Then on the left, click "Bandster Profile (new)"

Then on the right, click "Edit Banster Profile"

Welcome, and hello, I've been banded for almost 9 months and have only lost 52 lbs. I consider myself a slow loser but am very happy with my progress so far. I am still learning what I can and cannot eat.

From what I can tell...when you have the surgery and afterwards, you are sort of forced to eat healthier.

The lap band does not force you to eat healthier, it is just a tool that helps you control your portion sizes, and only starts working when you get your band to the right adjustmen (your sweet spot) for some this happens the day of surgery, and for others they are still trying to find theirs.

I find it is easier to eat junk food than it is to eat the healthier stuff, no help with the will power there.

It does keep me from eating bread, but just the same I have a difficult time eating leafy vegetables.

My BMI is 43 and I would qualify for surgery...I am just not sure if I would just be better off pretending I have it and do what I am calling a "LAP-BAND®® diet"... If I can make myself eat that way AFTER the surgery...is there something stopping me from doing it now?

My BMI started at 43 as well, and I tried the "pretend I have the band diet" It didn't work for me. It did for a few months and I lost 20 lbs but then of course I gained it all back. Why? Because I love food, it was very difficult for me to stop eating when I was enjoying it so much. I even have trouble now with the band. But I am forced to stop because if I eat 1 bite too many it hurts like crazy.

What does having the surgery give me in terms of will power?

As far as eating the right stuff you are on your own, the decisions you make as what to put in your mouth is all up to you, but once you are at your sweet spot, the amount you eat will be a lot less.

I guess if I REALLY wanted to lose the weight I would have the will power to quit eating all of the junk I am eating...

What is it about the surgery that creates the will power not to eat unhealthy foods?

Nothing, will power comes from within.

This question may sound silly...but hopefully someone out there understands what I am asking?

Thank you both for answering my questions!

I really appreciate it!

I am going to keep lurking on this Forum for now.

I lost 90 pounds in 2004 and have gained it all back plus some...so I know I CAN lose weight...I just can't seem to get there.

Thank you all for the information!