I haven't been on this forum very long, but I need some help.

I started the 6 month process, to get approved for lap band, about 3 months ago. Ever since then I have been eating like a fool! I am completely out of control and I don't know why. I know in the back of my mind I'm thinking about the future restriction, but I know I need to get control NOW!! I feel like I am the only one with this problem and I'm almost in tears. I'm not a crier and this is the only thing that scares me about this process. I'm fine with surgery and not scared of that at all, but I'm afraid I can't get the eating controlled before my surgery.

Can anyone out there give me some insight on this or am I the only one with this problem? Thank you.

I went thru that a bit. I had two weeks notice til my surgery and was told to cut back to two shakes a day and then a reasonable dinner. I did the day thing and at dinner I made/ate whatever I wanted. As it got closer, I felt more out of control and found myself eating things I normally would have said no to. I think it's scary to think you won't eat certain foods again but you will but in moderation. I'm only 4 days post op so I don't have much exp. yet but I can tell you not to beat yourself up over whatever you're feeling. You'll be okay.

Thanks for the comment rocketray. It makes me feel a little better.

You're definitely not alone! My doc didn't put me on any pre-op diet so in the 2 months between my initial consultation and surgery day, I gained about 13 lbs eating pop tarts, cheez-its, hamburgers, pizza - all the things I didn't think I'd ever be able to have again.

The good news is that in my first post-op appointment 6 days after surgery, I had lost 13 lbs from the liquid diet so I ended up losing everything I'd gained. Of course had I not binged for 6 weeks, I would be 13 lbs closer to my goal weight by now. But whatever - you live and you learn.

Crecia that is totally normal. I started the process in October. I got weighed in once a month for six months for the insurance company. I did bad most of the month, until like a week before I got weighed in. It is totally normal to feel the way you're feeling. It's like the last few months you can eat without really worrying. I have learned from reading posts on this site, that you can have things you really want, just in small portions and as long as you REALLY chew it! Just be careful though if you need to get weighed in monthly. My doctor said that if I gained weight in any of those months, my insurance would turn me down for the surgery. I just made sure I was the same weight or a pound or two smaller when I went to the doctor's.

I sure do understand where you are coming from. Most of us went through the "Last Supper Syndrome" before surgery - some people's was indeed A last supper, for some it was weeks of last supperS, and for some it might have even been months of them. While that is normal, I am now finding that after having my band for a year and 8 months, that many of the food "issues" I had before my surgery are "issues" that I still have. Seems like you have to get these "issues" worked out for any program, surgery, etc. to work long term. We all know, or have heard about, people who joined a weight loss chain, had lapband surgery, gastric bypass surgery, etc. who have gained the weight back. Most all of us have lost weight and gained that same weight back and usually more. I lost a lot of weight after my lapband surgery.... and have now gained some of it back. I am presently getting help with those "issues" I've had for years and years. Hopefully, if I get them worked out, I will be able to lose my excess weight and keep it off. I've heard so many times that the band is JUST A TOOL. Boy is that right. It helps manage my eating from the neck down. Now I need to work on the neck up part and if I can get the 2 working together, I will be able to get to, and stay, at my goal weight. Good luck to you. It can be done.... just takes a LOT of work.

Edited May 25, 201016 yr by MissBS

You'll hear a lot on this board about head hunger, which is what MissBS, is referring to. I know that my first couple days, post-band, I couldn't even watch TV because every time I saw a commercial for food I wanted it. Now fast forward a couple weeks, 10 feet away from my office kitchen which has donuts, muffins and bagels left over from a morning meeting, and I don't feel a thing. And they've been there all day and I've walked by them countless times and it didn't even register that that would be something I would have wanted until a co-worker asked me if I wanted the last donut.

It does get better. You get used to it. And I'm not just speaking from my limited band experience. I did low-carb for a year and with my sweet tooth, it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do but it just became second-nature after some time passed. At least with the band, you can still eat most of the foods you like, just in moderation.

"Head Hunger" is a simple name for a lot of different mental/emotional issues that go along with being overweight. If we were able to make good food choices (low carb... high protein.... etc.) then none of us would even need the band. It's when it becomes second nature FOREVER, that we will be able to maintain a healthy weight. I too could pass up the donuts, muffins, etc. for quite a while after my surgery.... it's just the FOREVER part that I am dealing with now. Also... after getting to my so called "sweet spot" there are many foods that I liked before, or would like to eat now (yes... even some healthier ones) that I can just no longer eat. You learn to live with your band, but it takes time, lots of trial and error, and lots of patience. I still say, if you don't deal with what got you overweight in the first place before your surgery, you will have to do it later on. Again.... good luck to you.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all of your thoughts and comments. This has helped a lot and now I know what I need to do. I think I really need to start working on what's in my head and then the body will follow. I know this will be a lifelong journey and I'm so glad there are places like this to get help and insight from others going through the same thing.

Thanks so much!