For you guys that have had your band awhile...do you ever NOT think about it? Have you gotten to a point that eating the band way is natural and habitual? I guess just reading this board as often as I do and seeing all the comments makes me think everyone's thinking about their band all the time. Don't get me wrong, I know they're not, but eventually I'd like to be a person who doesn't eat very much and can feel full and stay thin and then remember, oh yeah...I forgot about that band in there. Does that make sense?

Thanks

I've been banded almost 8 months now. While I don't feel the band and have learned to make healthier choices by force of habit, if I'm honest with myself, I do think about my band everytime I sit down to eat. Its not life consuming by any means, just a gentle reminder, which I need at the moment.

Hi Fay,

I had the exact same question when I was researching. The scariest thing to me was the idea that I'd never be able to feel "normal" again; that there'd always be something different about me.

I'm happy to tell you that's just not the case. After a while the band becomes part of you, and the way you eat becomes second nature. You can't feel the band at all, and awareness of the port just fades into the background. It's only when you eat too much or too fast that the band makes itself known. And that's a good thing!!!

This is a great question and one I wondered about as well. In the beginning sometimes it felt like I could think of nothing else! But now, after two years...it's in the background more than anything. I have a list of food in my head that work and a list that doesn't...and when I eat I just choose foods from the list that works. Of course whenever I eat too fast or have that one bite too many...my band reminds me that it's there!

Good luck!

Megan