A friend of mine who I am very close to had a talk with me today. She has been extremely supportive of my decision to have the surgery. She isn't fully informed about the risks and the procedure as well as how it will change and help you. I have been trying to give her information as I get it to help her understand. Well today she admitted to me that she isn't comfortable with me having surgery. She isn't sure why. Almost like she has a bad feeling about it. Well of course I value her opinion but I am still having the surgery because I am becoming more and more informed and more and more motivated to make and kepp my lifestyle change.

During this conversation she also was telling about how she was reading or saw on tv that there is a hypnosis session that tricks the mind into believing that you have had the surgery. I found one of the articles online and it was all spelled out just as she had said. What do you think about this theory? Gastric Mind Band: Weight Loss by Hypnosis

It makes me wonder how much of this is all in my mind and will I be able to be satisfied with smaller portions after surgery. I am in the process now of changing my eating habits and trying to make better choices, although I admit I am not 100% with it. I got pizza tonight because I was in a hurry and I hated every bite that I put in my mouth no matter how good it tasted. It did help me not eat 5-6 pieces that I normally would have.

Just throwing all my thoughts out here at once. Sorry for the rambling.

personally my mom has tried hypnosis for a long time like she would have to go a bunch of times and pay 100+ each visit. Lets just say shes at the same weight. personally for each the lap band or hypnosis it is all mind and willingness but atleast with the lap band you got something other than your mind telling you stop eating! thats why im sticking with the surgery.

Hi! I just heard about this hypnosis therapy versus lapband myself today and am wondering about it. I have been "pretending" I have already had the surgery for about the last month and have actually changed some of my eating behaviors (i.e. smaller plate, baby utensils, writing food down in a diary, exercising, etc.) and have lost some weight. I am pretty sure my insurance will deny me at least once, so I guess perhaps I am "gearing up" in case they deny me totally. What do bandsters think about this hypnosis therapy?:drool:

I've been banded for about 5 weeks now. I had several friends that voiced concerns prior to surgery. As you said I spent a lot of time researching and the more I learned, the more assured I was the band was for me. I did have some days that I would waffle, but, 3 weeks before surgery I realized I had to do this for myself and those that voiced concerns I answered back lovingly with the information I had obtained from my research. I also was making lifestyle changes along the way which they could see. Before surgery everyone was on board and supporting me and offering help and prayers. Surgery went great and I am doing great. All of my friends are now happy for me and encourage me whenever I see them. Encourage your friend to join you in your research. Good luck. It will be worth it:smile:

No one could hypnotize me into believing I'd had lap band surgery when I knew darn well I hadn't. Does this lady in the ad simply continue to believe she had the surgery even in the face of all the evidence that she did not, including this article itself?

I am skeptical, to say the least.

Maybe your friend could go to a Lap Band Seminar with you. My surgeon encourages you to bring a support person rather it's a relative or a friend and he will answer any questions they have.

I've only been banded since August but it's the best thing I've ever done for myself.

When I first started looking into the surgery my mom was very apprehensive and did not want me to do it at all. My brother was even more opposed. I dragged my mom to my seminar and all appointments and then she started coming around because she learned more about it and the FACTS that this is the best bet to lose the weight. Even my bro has come around. Now post op they are all very supportive!

Hypnosis can be helpful for some people--though it sesm to be more effective during the maintenance phase.

For those of us with significant amounts of weight to lose, the only proven method to do so--and maintain at least a significant portion of the loss--is weight loss surgery. It is simply the most effective, most successful route to take.

That said, it takes most of us a long time to reach the point where we accept this. We all want to do it "on our own." We don't want to so very openly admit "defeat."

But it's not defeat. It's taking charge. It's making a commitment to succeed. It takes hard work---but that's true, no matter what route you take. (There are NO magic solutions--none.) But it's the path that is MOST likely to result in lasting weight loss.

My wife is very supportive. She is only worried because its Surgery and things can happen.

I had a friend who wasn't really that supportive. Mostly because of misinformation. Now... he sees how wrong he was and supports me to the fullest.

Maybe she'll come around. In my case it was more from worry, then not really being totally unsupportive, just super worried.