Hi everyone, I'm not sure how to post just yet...i'm very new. I'm in the planning and decision making stage and am curious what the level of actual dieting is involved with the lap band surgery. I'm motivated, but I've had so many successes followed by so many failures - meaning, gaining all the weight back, that I'm scared I'll get this surgery and it won't work. How did all of you prepare for surgery and keep weight off?

Hi flipper,

LBS is not going to fix your emotional eating or mindless eating for you. To quote another, the band goes around your stomach not your head.

That said, LBS does help you to stay in control of the portion size that you consume to a degree, though that is not the true goal of LBS. It will help with the feelings of uncontrolled hunger, and offer a feeling of fullness faster then you might have them now.

The band is a tool that you must master. Just like a carpenter or a plumber can call themselves that from day one, but to be a true master of their craft they must master all the tools that they employee in their service.

You can be banded and never truly master your band. If you want to be successful and lose and keep that weight off for good then you must make that commitment to mastering the use of this tool.

It is not an impossible feat, there is a pre-op and post-op diet that require strict adherence. They consist of mainly liquid diets, and soft mushy foods building up to a regular diet of Protein and vegetables.

Take some time and research what the band is all about and see if you are able to make the full commitment that is required of patients under going this surgery.

Best of luck to you on your journey.

oh man this is a great question. i am dealing with my brain knowing it has always been stronger than me. but i allow all the voices of the ppl sharing on this web site to enter it and it has helped me when i am dealing with cravings. the band does help with over eating but it doesnt help with what you put in your tummy. it is a constant war but so far i have won most of the small battles, and everyday i learn one more way to deal with the battle.

but what if it did work??

do your best, follow the instructions your dr gives you

on how to use it, eat better food, exercise, believe in yourself and see what happens...

Honey, we all have eating issues or we wouldn't be here... food addiction is no different than alcohol or smoking or drugs.. something you may have not realized is that the lapband will change your relationship somewhat with food.. I love food but since being banded I don't think about it 24/7... I eat to stay alive, I still enjoy food but not as much.. after you have been eating healthy for awhile you will be surprised how your eating habits will change.. The band is the best thing I have ever done.. I tried every single thing to lose weight and never successfully kept it off long enough to matter.. This is different... Give it serious consideration and there are psychologist and counselors who can probably help with the mental part... You do have to change your eating habits but if you follow the rules and do your very best, I believe you will be successful. Best of Luck....