I will know any day know if I am approved, I first applied last year through BC/BS of Illinois and they denied me and also denied my appeal because I did not have the 12 months. This insurance is free through my hubby's work so I decided to pay for insurance as I work for a major insurance company and they are easier to get approved.

Anyway, I have always wondered this and wanted to ask, what makes the band it for you, I mean, I find I eat when I am not hungry, and will eat my meal even if I am full, does the band change those habits, I mean do you feel full and do you not get that feeling of just wanting to eat? I read people exercise now etc.. and I feel why couldn't we do that before, does the band truly make a difference in the feeling we get when we want to eat.

I hope this is not a silly question. :scared:

Thanks all.

Your the best.

Hi Beth,

No, not a silly question at all. For me, physically, the band keeps me from eating as much. If I try to eat too much then I have pain. If I swallow without chewing good enough, I have pain.

I currently have a 1cc fill and find that in the mornings I have a hard time with some solid foods. In the evenings I don't have as much restriction and can eat more than I really am supposed to. Although just tonight, I was noticing that even though I can eat more than I'm supposed to, I eat NOWHERE near the amount that I used to.... too uncomfortable.

I do know that I can "eat around the band" by eating foods that are soft (like pudding) or chocolate that dissolves and doesn't leave bulk in my stomach. I can eat alot if this is all I eat. I guess it just goes right through and doesn't fill up your new stomach. So, I've started making sure that I've eaten a "solid" meal and start with Protein and then if I want a little pudding or chocolate, I'm still really full and can't eat alot - so a little goes a long way. This does take discipline for me though.

Exercise I don't know about because I really haven't been doing much of it yet. I keep promising myself I will, but haven't. I think as I start to lose more weight it will be more of a motivator for me. I know if I can just start, that I'll probably want to keep doing it.

Hope all goes well for you! Take Care.

Kim

Hi brneyezz ~ I do not have the band yet but, I am 110% sure this is the way for me. This decision did not come quickly as my husband & I have talked about the band for the last couple of years. He used to work for Ethicon Endo-Surgery (J&J) and they are the company bringing the Swedish band to the US pending FDA approval, so he had some insight from the labs.

In addition to a lot of prayers, I did research on my options and decided on the band for the following reasons:

1. I have to change my habits REGARDLESS of what surgery or weight loss road I take, so eating around the band does not scare me. It's only a tool, but a SUPER tool if used properly.

2. I need chocolate as LEAST once in awhile. Like Kim_8, I can let it melt and that will take care of my cravings. It's my understanding that this is not possible with bypass unless your willing to get really sick.

3. Less invasive, lower death & complication rate. All surgeries have risks, but my odds are better with the band. In addition, I have 2 boys ages 4 yrs & 3 yrs.....I just wouldn't risk bypass surgery.

I too, also asked myself why I would bother getting the band if I can change my habits and exercise to lose weight. I have tried most of the diets out there and for me personally, the band is the missing link to my success. I can make all those changes, but the band will help me make it long term. They say it takes 3 mos (is that the correct number?) to create a habit. The band will help me create healthy habits by keeping me honest.

Now that I've decided on the band.....I WANT it YESTERDAY!! I can't wait!! :dance:

I'm sure there are many others that can give you more insightful reasons, but I hope you find something useful from my preband experience. It's not for everyone, but I want mine. :rolleyes

Hi Beth,

I guess for me the band is my last hope at trying to lose weight. Gosh only know's we've all tried a gazillion things. I can lose 50 lbs but can't keep it off for Beans.

At this point with the band I have very little restriction which means I can eat a lot of food, but, not as much as before banding. I am finally feeling a little bit of my fill / restriction. So for instance, instead of eating 4 slices of pizza, I can only eat 2. But even with those 2 slices I'm not losing weight b/c I'm still eating more calories than I'm burning (yes I pick inbetween and my exercise sucks) I'm hoping my next fill will help me even more.

I knew that I would not change over night with the band, and that its going to take time to modify my habbits, I mean lets face it, I'm not going to change 40+ years of bad habbits in a 1 hour operation. But you know Beth, thats okay. It took years for me to blow up this big, and if it takes years to get me to lose it, well thats okay too, just as long as I'm heading in the right direction... ya know. I just want the band to help me eat like a normal person and I'll be happy. Slow IS good :scared:

One day at a time

Thank you all for your informative posts, I appreciate it very much.