Hi everyone- I am in need of some advice. I was banded 3/27, and so obviously I have no restriction yet. I hope what I am about to explain makes sense to all my bandster peeps.

I am having huge anxiety about getting a fill. Because of the fact that I have no restiction, I am able to eat pretty much anything, and I have been doing more emotional eating in the past few days than I have in a looong time. And it scares me to think about after having my fills I can't do that anymore. Which in turn is why I got the band in the first place to have control over portions and eliminating emotional eating for the most part. Are these feelings another reason they call it BANDSTER HELL??? Or am I just nuts? I am so stressed and upset with myself, and I never realized how much power emotional eating had over me.

Hi everyone- I am in need of some advice. I was banded 3/27, and so obviously I have no restriction yet. I hope what I am about to explain makes sense to all my bandster peeps.

I am having huge anxiety about getting a fill. Because of the fact that I have no restiction, I am able to eat pretty much anything, and I have been doing more emotional eating in the past few days than I have in a looong time. And it scares me to think about after having my fills I can't do that anymore. Which in turn is why I got the band in the first place to have control over portions and eliminating emotional eating for the most part. Are these feelings another reason they call it BANDSTER HELL??? Or am I just nuts? I am so stressed and upset with myself, and I never realized how much power emotional eating had over me.

You are afraid of saying goodbye to your best Friend food. The food that is killing you and your sex life:lol:.

With proper restriction (which isn't promised in your first fill) you can still eat around the band -

I think you need to do some head-work or see a counselor as you are sabotaging yourself already - don't want to get a fill - then why did you get banded

The band does not stop emotional eating - I don't know where you thought that it would - the band just makes you feel full faster on a small amount of food -What you put in your mouth and how often you eat is all up to you.

The band is only a tool and not a magic cure to our issues with food and to overcome our addiction we need help and sometimes it is in the form of a counselor too..

Talk to your doctor about your fears - they may be able to recommend someone for you to talk to about you issues.

i was actually thinking as i was writing the thread about seeing a counselor or maybe even going to OA. thanks for the suggestions!!

i was actually thinking as i was writing the thread about seeing a counselor or maybe even going to OA. thanks for the suggestions!!

I know this is hard - but it can be done - I am a firm believer in tough band love (operative word being love)

I just don't understand why someone would get banded and not do their very best to follow the rules..

This may be due to my age as I know that I have less year ahead of me than whats behind me and I really wanted to have a longer life with more quality.. I can tell you I feel 10 yrs younger and have so much more energy. Also - I had to have tons of test and at my age this was major surgery - It's my last ditch effort to lose the weight - and I just made that commitment to myself to eat healthy and exercise.

You are a baby still - you have your whole life in front of you. Losing the weight will improve your life - it will make you a happier person - you will have so much more energy - self confidence etc.

You just gotta make the commitment to yourself - before you stick that bite of food in your mouth - think why am I eating this - do something to distract yourself - get on the computer come here it's open 24/7. Go clean out a drawer or bathroom.

Losing the fat is losing the barrier between you and your world - that's what you are afraid of food soothes your emotions - you are going to have to learn new coping measures. It's doable - you just have to make up your mind.

I wish you the best - Good Luck...

I too was afraid of my first fill, for several reasons. I was afraid of being too tight, afraid of the PB'ing or sliming, afraid of not being able to eat my favourite foods. I asked my doctor to take it slowly as I wanted the time to get used to the whole idea, and in the mean time, did the best I could with will power. He was great about that and only put in 1cc instead of the usual 2cc at my first fill. By the time the 2nd fill came around I was really feeling the hunger again and was over all my fears so told him to "go hard" this time. I wanted another 2cc, he usually only does 1cc on the 2nd fill and we split the difference at 1.5cc. The third one was the charm, with another 1cc and now I'm feeling the sweet spot really well.

If you're hungry for whatever reason, go for the fill, and if you are worried about it being too much, just take it gently at first. I think you'll soon find, like I did, that the fear doesn't last long and you want to really get into the swing of things once you've gotten over it.

thank you both so much for your responses. i never realized how much i TRULY depended on food as my "drug of choice". i live and take care of two adults with developmental disabilities, and naturally it is an emotional rollercoaster in this type of situation. and so at night the habit i started forming over the past couple of years, is as soon as they go to bed around 8 or 9, that that is my time. and i used that time to watch tv, unwind, and of course eat. so anywho...im in for a challenge, and i think when i start exercising and get a couple of fills under my belt, and start attending OA meetings, maybe it will make it easier to get my head in the right place. but thank you both for your replies...

Hi everyone- I am in need of some advice. I was banded 3/27, and so obviously I have no restriction yet. I hope what I am about to explain makes sense to all my bandster peeps.

I am having huge anxiety about getting a fill. Because of the fact that I have no restiction, I am able to eat pretty much anything, and I have been doing more emotional eating in the past few days than I have in a looong time. And it scares me to think about after having my fills I can't do that anymore. Which in turn is why I got the band in the first place to have control over portions and eliminating emotional eating for the most part. Are these feelings another reason they call it BANDSTER HELL??? Or am I just nuts? I am so stressed and upset with myself, and I never realized how much power emotional eating had over me.

Hi, just a little note find a new hobby for you to do instead of eating. with me it was walkin 5min at first then reading was another i did. you just went through major surgery so dont xpect miracles at first. just remember you are worth all the hard work that lies ahead and no food tastes as great as healthy feels. As for getting fills i didnt really feel it because of all the stomach fat i had. I certainly did not watch them do it but it was very fast and painless. Remember this is your second chance to get healthy./ Go Get it you can do it. I promise :biggrin: ginger 74lbs gone