Hello! I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts. I am considering having the lapband. My first consultation is tomorrow. I have not been successful in following a diet thus far. What will change when I get the band. My doctor tells me the band is only good for people who eat large meals at one time. I am more a snacker. Do you think that statement is true? I would truly appreciate an honest opinion.

Hope to be a bandster soon

Christine

Well, I'm a relative new bandster (11/17/03), but I'll be happy to share with you what I've learned thus far.

Your life drastically changes. By that, you basically have to teach yourself how to eat all over again. The days of eating all you want whenever you want are behind you. The pouch that is created is roughly 1/2 cup in size, give or take a little. Even before your first fill, you will notice that you can't eat the same amounts that you used to.

Eating becomes a new experience. You must learn to greatly narrow down your portion sizes that you put into your mouth. meats must be chewed extremely well, lest you risk bringing it back up or a stoma obstruction. Protein becomes your mainstay, as my doctor preaches getting in the protein first, in case you are unable to hold any other food.

There are physical sensations that you must learn to adjust to. For example, if you eat to rapidly you are going to know it. I got in a bit of a hurry the other day eating some deli turkey breast and before you know it I was having a good old slime episode.

You learn to know when you are full. For me, I feel like there is a golf ball in the top of my stomach. That to me is a good feeling because it certainly discourages me from eating that one last bite.

I am having to learn to reexamine my relationship to food. I would eat a big steak, baked potato and vegetable along with a compliment of dinner rolls in 15 minutes. Now, I have to literally fight to make my 1/2 cup meal last 30 minutes. I still haven't mastered that one yet!

Having gone through Thanksgiving newly banded and getting ready to go through Christmas banded also causes me to give a moment of psychological pause as well. It's darn hard to watch everyone around me woofing down piles of turkey, ham, dressing and mashed taters with gravy while here I sit basically nibbling! I'll certainly be glad when the holidays are behind me!

Hope you carefully think things out and choose wisely for your personal needs. Choosing the LapBand has been the best decision I have made

I was very bad at dieting pre-band, but the band helps a lot. It's a lot easier to say no to bad foods when you're physically unable to eat another bite anyway!

I don't agree that the band only works for people who eat big meals. Grazing is not such a good way to eat post-op with any of the surgeries, but you can learn new habits. And, besides, when your stomach is so much smaller, you will end up eating less regardless of how you eat - it's just that grazing might prevent you from losing as much weight as you're fully capable of.