Hey everyone!

Getting banded this Friday whooohooo!!!

My concern is this:

I usually eat big meals with lots of people who pig out. Pre-band I am able to enjoy the food with them and dig in along with them, but I'm so scared that after the band I will be watching them eat yum foods and i'll be sitting next to them miserably wishing that i could be eating too.

Of course I have read on here that people simply don't have the appetites post-band that they had pre-band and that they don't desire as much food as before but this is something I can't seem to wrap my head around.

**BTW, I'm thinking of dinners/family get togethers where we eat lots of fatty delicious foods like pepper steak, lasagna etc. What if I just simply can't stand to watch everyone wolf down food knowing that I can't?**

Does anyone have insights/tips to share?

I have one question, where do I find all of these people who don't notice what you eat????? The people in my office where I work, always ask, is that ALL YOU ARE EATING after staring at my plate throughout the whole meal. I never hear them say anything about the piglets that stack their plates a mile high, but they are so concerned with the little bit on my plate. I do not do their luncheons anymore, I go out to lunch and if it is something during the day with doughtnuts or cake, I keep far away. There are, however, some people who have supported me and say wonderful things how great I look because of this.

Uch, i'm noticing this with my obese friends. Whenever one of us stops eating so much suddenly the questions start "why arent you eating" "are you trying to diet AGAIN?".

I think it's absolutely gross to look at someones plate and comment on what they're eating. Its just not polite at all. And if it's too awkward to continue eating with them, then I certainly will stop. Why put myself in an uncomfortable situation?

I would never advise you to stop celebrating life with a meal. what I want you to do is be a bit more selfish. be selfish for you' date=' you want this weight loss, you want this new health. this of you for the next months, you are worth working hard for. as the weight starts to come off, you will see a new person. a person you knew to be lost, but now is found. love the new person as she develops again. you are worth working hard for, remember that at the table with all the food and festivity.

you will be surrounded by food for ever more, it doesn't have to be an enemy. keep posting on this forum, be honest, we are all here to help each other in succeeding together![/quote']

I love this! I will look back to it often for support. Thank you!!!!!!

This is a great topic - we've all had to deal with this. I find that I'm fine taking a little of what's being served (unless it's just something that I can't tolerate any more) and talking, laughing, moving my food around my plate, taking small bites, chewing chewing chewing, and really taking my time. My biggest problem in the social situation you describe is I get wrapped up in conversation or distracted and eat too fast or take the occasional too big of a bite. You probably know the rest of that story, but it's a graceful "excuse me a moment," a trip to the ladies room, then back with the fun. Nobody notices. It's awesome. I haven't missed the volume or any of the foods I have not had since being banded. That's the beauty of the band, it won't let you overdo it - and it feels great to eat like a normal person despite what may be going on around you!

Best of luck to you!

D

Believe it or not it won't bother you as much as you think it will. I eat out with friend a lot and usually order soup or an appetizer. No one says a word. They are too busy noticing how amazing I look in my size 10s!