I had wriiten last week that i was having reservations. Many of your ideas helped me. I am now worried that I will not be able to follow the diet that the doctor gave me for post surgery. I can stay on a diet for a week or 2 but I am worried about a lifetime.

Seppi... I worried about this as well... but it's really not like a "diet". After you get through your post-op stage and your band is filled... you will not be able to eat large quantities of food. There are times that I still WANT to eat but my sweet little band just won't let me. This is how it helps me... I don't have to worry about stopping myself from overeating... if I overeat... I have pain... salivation to the max... it's not pleasant... so I just don't do it anymore. Yes... I could still eat a half a gallon of icecream... so... I don't keep it in the house. It is a very effective tool and most of us here were also unable to stick with "dieting"... and here we are .... losing... losing...losing.

I followed the immediate post-op eating instructions but once I was free to eat a regular diet... that is just what I did. I eat the same foods I ate before... just in smaller amounts. I hope you will find the peace that you seek before you have your surgery.

Darcy

I think this all has to do with how much you really want to lose weight. Of course, everyone of us here never had any luck with 'diets' or we'd not have to be banded. This is more than a 'diet', this is a lifetime committment to trying to make better choices MOST of the time. We had to resort to having the band installed because alone, none of us could do it ALL the time. That is where 'diet's fail us, they are temporary, with some holy grail waiting at the other end. This is not about diets, it is about learning how to eat to maintain a healthy weight. If I eat 3000 calories per day, that is enough to maintain 300lbs. If I eat 1500 a day, that is more likely to maintain 150lbs. That's tough for those of us who are used to eating 3000 and probably don't even realize we're eating that much. So, the band governs the volume. Something we tried, but were'nt any good at. You can defintely undermine your band, if you choose to eat high calorie, high sugar, high fat content foods in excess. But, I'll bet you can do it! Just like those of us here who thought we were hopeless before the band. Believe it or not, the band really does help. Your body does begin to crave things like Protein, instead of refined starches/sugars. It's a learning curve, for sure, but many of us have walked right where you are today, in fear and uncertainty, being sick and tired of being sick and tired and today, the band allows us a new life with much more energy, better health, better sleep, lower medications, new self esteem and inner awareness.

Just think of the things that are hard for you to do right now. How about health issues? This is really a lifestyle change. It takes practice, but you can do it and we'll help you when you need support and encouragement!