Hello everyone...

I am considering LapBand surgery and have some concerns.

I am a very picky eater. There are so many things that I don't like. I have a lot of concerns about the liquid and mushy phases. I am reading through the postings regarding what others are eating and not seeing very many things that I like. If I make sure to take a vitamin, will I be okay?

Even now I am rarely hungry. I eat because I'm bored, or on emotions, or because my family is eating and I know I have to have something in my system. Is getting banded going to make me hungry? I'm not really looking forward to feeling hungry when I haven't ever really had to deal with that. When I am on the liquid phase...doesn't it just pass straight through and won't I always feel hungry??

Last (sorry). As I am sure all of you feel this way to, you can understand that I am not proud of being fat and embarrassed that I may have to resort to surgery to make me finally lose weight. I would prefer that not everyone knows. Obviously my closest friends and family will know. But how to I explain to others why I am not eating much at all and how I am losing weight so quickly. At my work, we have a lot of activites where we eat. Also, I know people will think bad of me for having surgery. It seems like a stupid concern but I have worked really hard to be respected in my life and don't want to lose that respect because I did something I felt I had to do.

I am so grateful for this forum...it has answered so many of my questions. Any advice would be apprecaited!!

As for being a picky eater, there is bound to be something you like in the mushie/ puree stage. My favorite then was ground turkey pureed with applesauce. I know odd, but I liked it. I also had a lot of plain applesauce with protien powder. I bought a babyfood grinder and was able to eat just about anything I felt like grinding up.

Right now it sounds like you're more of an emotional eater or social eater. The band isn't going to correct those issues, but will limit the amount of food you can eat when you eat for those reasons.

As far as hunger. I wasn't "hungry" until a few days before my first fill, but eating a small meal satied the hunger. That was the last time I was actually hungry. Now I have to remind myself that it's time to eat something.

As for the work issues, I'd just say you were on a portion controlled diet and working out. Technically after the initial liquid, mushie and soft stage you can eat regualr food again, just limited quanitites and some foods people can't tolerate. Personally I can't eat bread, rice or Pasta. These were the foods that made me fat in the first place and now they make me really sick, ie stuck or pbing. So I just stay away from them. And at 5 months post-op I have realized I actually like the sauces and dips for them more than I liked the actual food.

Hope this helps.

I'm a picky eater, too. I'd say it's most important to get your Protein, so as long as you are getting your doctor-recommended amount, I wouldn't worry too much. You can always use Protein shakes to supplement.

As for people wondering why you're eating less...just say you're trying to make better choices. With you eating with other people a lot, I would make sure to practice the bandster eating techniques so that you don't feel pressured to eat at their pace and end up in pain - THAT might be obvious. You might want to start now whenever you are around them. Cut your food in small bites, chew-chew-chew 30 times, no liquids with meals. Hopefully if it becomes second nature by the time you get the band, you'll be able to get through the meal without trouble. Make sure to not load down your plate, either, or you'll feel the pressure to finish and that can also be painful (eating too much). There are many things you can say...trying to eat better, not really that hungry, going out for a big dinner with the family that night, etc. I mostly just eat around DH, but we go out to restaurants and it's not obvious that I'm banded. Just don't let the pressure to eat like other people get to you! That has kicked me in the rear more than once.

As to the hungry question during liquid phase. Hmm. Thinking back, I don't really remember being terribly hungry. I think it was because of the swelling. And really, you can drink to your heart's content while on liquids, so if you feel hungry again, go get something else. Protein goes a long way towards satiating hunger, so make sure you get your protein shakes.