My husband and I have been trying to eat half portions and chew really thoroughly in preparation for me being banded. But we barely lasted a day until we were shoveling food into are mouths indiscrminately! I don't know if it is 'last supper' mentality or what. But I can't seem toi have a shred of discipline and it scares me. How will I be once I'm banded?

How do you DO this?! Does the band just force you, with penalty of PAIN, to slow down, chew and take it easy?

I feel like I can't even get it together enough to do portion control PRE-band. I feel like I've already failed and I'm not even banded yet. I have so little confidence in my will-power -- like my belly is a botomless pit. Are all of my demons mental? I know the band won't address that.

I'm freaking out - thanks for letting me share.:phanvan

The last supper mentality was funny since earlier tonight I told my Mom that I needed something good for dinner since I was getting my fill tomorrow and she said "You've been having your last supper for 8 weeks now and I'm not buying it"....

The pain of eating too fast really puts a stop to it quickly. I haven't had a PB yet but plenty of intense hiccups that hurt like hell.... I chew and chew and chew now.

Man, I didn't even attempt it before I was banded. The band definitely helps you to regulate your portions but it sure is easy to go over your limit. I have to just measure out my food before I eat it so I don't end up with a PB or pain. It takes like 20 minutes for me to realize I'm actually not hungry any more. You'll learn to chew slowly after a couple of PB episodes, though.

Once restricted, it's uncomfortable to overeat solids. Of course, the milkshakes and junk slide right through!

Shawn

That's probably why you need the band in the first place, so i wouldn't worry about it. I was the same way. The band wil let you know when you dont chew enough and you are not likely to repeat the behavior any time soon!

The placement of the band changes everything. Before I was banded I could eat so much it food at one time that it astounds me to think about it now. The sensation of being "full" has changed now. As Jack often tells us, the new sensation is satiety rather than the old "unbutton your pants and pat your full belly" type of full. Here is what Websters Dictionary has to say about satiety: "SATIATE and SATE may sometimes imply only complete satisfaction but more often suggest repletion that has destroyed interest or desire." We simply lose the desire to eat - from hunger. Now, head hunger is a different story!

Anyway, there is no way you could simulate a banded person's satiety by eating 3/4 C of food prior to banding. You have a full sized stomach wanting full sized meals. Once you are banded that will change without a lot of effort - other than fills.

If you want to prepare for banding, begin by learning to chew your food until each bite is goo before swallowing; do not drink liquids for 30 mins before and 1 hour after eating; eat your meal in no less than 15 mins - no more than 20 mins.; eat with no distractions, learn to concentrate on your food and how you feel when eating it so that you are aware of the first signs of no longer being hungry. Those would be worthy habits to master before banding, because they are part of the key to success with your band.

I read this thread earlier and thought of it as I was munching my dinner earlier while preparing the rest of the family's food. Alone in the kitchen, no talking, take a bite, chew, walk around, do my thing, chew, find those little pieces of "not quite chewed enough" bits and chew them, just as comfortable and easy as you please. It was thoughtless and effortless. I just chew alot now. Don't get me wrong, I PB'd just last night taking too big of a bite and swallowing too quickly so I could say something, which is why it's hard to eat dinner at a table with young children! LOL There is ALWAYS a need to speak! Dangerous, I say! anyhow, the forever chewing is kind of like my forever shoveling was pre-band. That chewing is a very big part, for me, of what satisfies. Good question!

Thanks for the great responses. Sometimes I see posts about how some bandsters are so diligent and disciplined. It is both inspiring AND intimidating.

I had total "last supper syndrome" Put on ten pounds before my surgery and only now really getting rid of them. I know it's really hard, but take my advice, DON'T FALL VICTIM TO THE SYNDROME! The point of the band is that you will be able to eat basically anything and everything again when you're healed, just in moderation.