Thought I'd poll this one. Seems like alot of us use the band as a diet tool and many others as a lifestyle change. How do you use it?

Diets are a temporary thing to me. Tha Lap-Band is a permanent change in lifestyle.

I agree with you Wendell. When I got the band I told my dr I was never going to diet again. But I find myself counting calories everyday and stress if I'm not losing. I still eat the foods I've always loved but I had to vote that I'm using it as a dieting tool - at least for now. Eventually I hope it will only be used as a lifestyle change.

I use it as a lifestyle change, i diet yes but i'm not too worried about going off the diet. When i have the chance to go to an asado (similar to american barbacue ) or a family dinner i eat everything i want, in smaller portions obviously but i don't really count calories (i did a while ago but i found out it was very stressing so i just stopped)

This is an intresting question......

I asked my doctor prior to banding if I was to go on a low carb diet or something like that....

She put her hand on my shoulder and said, You are not to deprive yourself. You are just going to limit your ability to consume more than you should. If you were to deprive yourself, it will be such a psychological restriction that more often than not plague you with more eating issues.

She also said that food one should enjoy. Just in small amounts. Dont deprive, just eat in moderation....

So indeed this Band is a lifestyle change :-)

to learn moderation and enjoy the foods I eat.... all is good

I agree with your doctor Autumn.

Its definitely been a lifestyle change for me. I've never counted a calorie, gram of Protein or anything. But I do eat healthy foods and only eat more fattening foods occasionally. I dont want them inappropriately any more.

I'm only 7 weeks out from being banded as of today and haven't had a fill yet so I'm using it as a diet tool now. I see this as a stage to lay the foundation for a true lifestyle change as I progress.

Well I voted dieting tool but that isn't completely accurate. I am one year out and it is really both a dieting tool and a lifestyle change. I don't count my calories everyday and I still have things that I've always loved. I count my protien more than anything to make sure I'm not shorting myself of what I need. But I didn't have my surgery to just eat less I got it to lose my excess weight.

Well, I voted dieting tool too, but I don't actually count calories. I have just decided to make healthier choices in what I am eating, and to exercise regularly. But, if I want a piece of pizza, or some popcorn at the movies, I will have it--I obviously can't eat as much as I used to of it, so I don't think I am hurting myself. So I guess it is a lifestyle change more than a dieting tool, because I think I will continue to eat like this forever.

In the beginning...

I just used it to help me eat less. And I was able to lose weight.

But getting closer to goal, I find I really have to count calories and be vigilant to lose anymore weight.

My Dr. told me at the beginning that he doesn't give out recipes for bandsters becasue we should be eating normal food, but less. Then, or course, he gave me the sheets that said that I must eat Protein first, chew chew chew, not eat many carbs, etc.

So his message was as complex as the bandster lifestyle. I think the answer for me is both! I eat a low carb, calorie counted diet at home, and when I'm out to eat, I order yummies and eat smaller portions.

I use it as a lifestyle change. I remember before I was banded, and I would come on the board and say I was going to eat all the foods I loved before the band, just in smaller amounts, and people would jump down my throat and say "If you think you can go on eating the same fattening foods as before the band then you aren't going to be succesful." And they would go on and on about how it's not calories that count but rather the type of foods one eats, and that we have to make healthy food choices, etc etc.

And I would fight and argue and say "but studies prove that calories in vs. calories out is what determines weight loss." and they would argue back and say I had to examine my emotional eating and why I crave "bad" foods, etc.

Well, over a year later and 87 pounds down, I am very happy to report that I did not cut out any kind of food whatsoever. As a matter of fact I probably eat more fat now than I ever did before being banded! I eat exactly what I feel like eating on a given day or moment. And if that means cake and pizza, well then I will eat cake and pizza! I also have plenty of days where I enjoy wonderful healthy fish on top of lucious spring greens, though, too. For me, it's all about variety.

If I feel like junk food, junk food I will have. I also eat alot of whole grains, lean Proteins, and veggies, because they are also delicious. For me it was never about "emotional eating", it was about hunger, plain and simple. Now that my hunger is under control I can really enjoy and savor all kinds of foods in small portions.

I am so glad I didn't go into this thinking eveyrthing I ate had to be "low fat" and "healthy". A varied diet rich in both healthy foods and treats is what keeps me satisfied and happy!

I wish people with weight problems would stop blaming themselves and start realizing that it's NOT our faults! When we are TRULY full and satiated, we stop eating, and we lose weight. My problem was that before the band, I was NEVER full and satiated.

It's a huge relief to finally know what being full feels like!

What Sunta said!!!!!

I too eat as I please for the most part. I do make a more concentrated effort to eat a healthier variety---and I can do that because of the band. Before I felt so hungry all the time, I ate anything and everything that was handy!!! Now I will actually take the time to toss a salad, as opposed to grabbing a bag of chips.....unless I really WANT the chips!

I am terrible about feeling deprived! I was not either excessively spoiled or denied as a child, so I have no idea why, but as soon as I am told I can NOT have something I fixate on just that! With my band, I have not eliminated anything ---except raised donuts, and they hurt me----so I don't try! Otherwise, just knowing I can have it if I want it---relaxes me!

I was not willing to diet like crazy today to be thin tomorrow---I would rather the journey take a little longer, and enjoy my todays as well as my tomorrows. The band works for that.

I love the feeling of freedom the band has provided, I am no longer controlled by hunger or food. Serious dieting to me is as oppressive as obesity---which may be why I failed at all of them!

Definitely a life style change----so I can run with my grandbabies!!

Kat

Sunta, that's exactly how I feel about it too. And I'm happy to report that apart from having reached a normal, healthy weight, I am also not deficient in anything, apart from being low in Iron, which I always have been anyway.

I think this is personality dependent though. My mother loves to live on Weight Watchers. The routine and discipline suits her, she thrives on it. So counting calories sure doesnt hurt, but for others of us, it just isnt a healthy obsession to have.