I was banded on sept 11 and I'm having a hard time already emotionally. I didn't expect to feel this way. I didn't realize how much of a food addict I was/am until I got banded. Whenever Im stressed, upset, happy etc needless to say I'm am an emotional eater far more then I thought. Because I'm only able to eat full liquids I don't feel satisfied.I'm not hungry but being banded has caused me to have to deal with my emotions instead of stuffing them down. So needless to say I've done a lot of crying over the last wk. I was considering counseling to help coup with my new body once that happens but thinking I may need it now to address other ways to help me deal with my feeling since I can't eat them away anymore Has anyone else experienced this? And how did you handle it. This has completely caught me off guard. I know they fixed my stomach and not my mind and how I've associated with food for years.

Hi Goingforit

I think many of us have felt or are feeling what you are going through right now.

I know for me I never realized how much food controlled my life. I had a really had time with “head hunger” in the evenings.

I’ve been banded just over 6 years and have talked about this here a couple of time but I think it’s worth repeating for new bandsters.

Back when I was banded my doctor suggested something called the “Egg Timer Distraction”. It’s kind of difficult to explain here but I’d be happy to email you the .pdf document. It REALLY helped me with “head hunger. I can’t tell you the number of people in my lapband coffee groups over the years that have said how helpful this “trick” has been in dealing with their head hunger.

Also, I’m not really a “diet” book type person but I recommend you pick up two books.

Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle – by Dr. Michelle May

I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. May speak at a conference when she came to Toronto and her book and guidelines really work well with the lapband journey.

The second book is:

The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite – by David L. Kessler

Try and take it one day at a time. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t go into this journey saying “I’ll never be able to eat this or that ever again.” I can eat ANYTHING except rice and apple skins and no carbonated beverages. Follow the guidelines given to you by your doctor. Take tiny bites and remember to finish what you have in your mouth before you take your next bite.

Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions and also if you would like a copy of the “Egg Timer Distraction Document”.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net

I also recommend David Kessler's book. Very enlightening.

I have moments when I "mourn" past favorite foods.... the list can be long. This past summer, I often mourned barbequed foods.... hot dogs and burgers on the grill, grilled corn.

But, I also realized that I CAN have some of these foods, just smaller quantities, chewed to death (!), but I could still taste them.

I agree that this is a very real feeling that we have after being banded.

I agree with Tom about following the "band rules"

I think I should carry them in a card in my pocket !!!!

I really enjoyed both books. If I had read David's book in high school I'm sure I wouldn't have been as fat as I was when I was banded. Both books really made me stop and think.

I love the band because I don't feel like I missing out on anything (with the exception of the rice, apple skins and pop). I can still eat my carbs

I can still go out to dinner with friends have pizza... but instead of eating 6 slices of pizza (yes I did that) or order in a large pizza at home (I live alone) I can now eat 1 to 2 slices and feel full.

When I eat now I feel full but NEVER stuffed. I enjoy my food much more now.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net

I think you are right, start counseling now. You can learn healthy ways of dealing with your emotions. What you are feeling is perfectly normal. Congrats on your surgery!