Tomorrow I fly to MX and then my surgery is the next day. I'm stressed. I'm not looking forward to the poking and proddding that always accompanies surgery. But I'm surprised by what is really upsetting me: the realization that I won't be able to able to eat a big plate of food and feel really full, like I can't eat any more. How much that is upsetting me is making me realize how emotional it is for me to be able do that. Its not about the tast of the food or satiating my hunger. Its the eating a lot and getting full that I've been going after.

A lot of pyschologists have theorized that when you overeat there is some psychological reason for it: an unhappy childhood, anxiety, whatever. And maybe there's something to that theory for some people. But I theorize that there is some sort of chemical that is released into the body when you fill your stomach up like that and its the chemical itself that gives you a feeling of pleasure and that some of us are predisposed to dependency on this chemical. Fen-phen worked well because it acted on certain chemical receptors in the brain. Too bad Fen-phen kills you, but I think the drug was a step in the right direction.

Congrats!!!! on your band date.. you will be banded before you know it!

About the amount of food, I had the same problem, I always worried about not being to handle to eat the things I like in small portions. but you know it works out it really does.... You will get that "full" feeling as though you didnt have the band but you will eat so much less..... its it great! Its hard starting off but it all works out! Good luck, you will be in my thoughts and prayers! Take Care (((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))

Congrats and good luck. You'll adjust to the band requirements, because from what I read you only need to be stuck once to want to avoid it. For me it's been interesting how much food was a part of my everyday socialization. You'll be fine, relax, and enjoy your new life post-op.

I have had the same fear/realization. I recognize that there is something internally that is soothed by totally stuffing myself. Terrible, but true.

I try to imagine all the things in life that I *learned* that soothe me. Knitting, gardening, snowboarding...all of these I never knew aout, then I discovered them and they gave me joy/peace/something to do. So I guess I hope that with the vacancy food leaves, it can be replaced with something, or many things, that are also soothing.

I'm nervous about it too! But I figure if so many foodies here on LBT have made it, we can do it too!

Yes, you put it right. Something inside is soothed by totally stuffing myself. Some people think its a psychological problem. I think its a biochemical problem. But the result is the same either way.

But with people telling me I will still get that full feeling, maybe it won´t be as bad as I fear.