How will I know if I can stick to the food program and not eat "around" the band. In the past I've never been able to stay on a healthy eating program for any length of time without "cheating" and falling off the wagon. It seems every diet I go on when something goes wrong in my life I just don't care anymore and I go off the diet eating cakes, cookies, ice cream whatever. I worry about highly densed caloric foods that take up very little space but are packed with carbs and cals. i.e... ice cream. I have a bad sweet tooth too. Could that also be a problem? I'm trying not to be negiative but I know the best predictor of future behavoir is past behavoir.

I think its an absolute necesity to enter into the process with an "I CAN DO IT ATTITUDE". If your having doubts about it i would seriously research all the weight loss surgery options available to you and decide wich one would best suit your individual needs. If eating around the band is being contemplated before even having the surgery perhaps its not the best option. As far as myself is concerned .....i knew that since i was subjecting my body to a voluntary surgery there was no way i was going to risk harming myself or my band by not following the dietary rules and guidlines.

I think you have to really want it badly, and you have to be ready for this journey. Nothing will keep you from eating around the band if that's what you want to do.

Everyone keeps saying the band is just a tool, and that's the truth. I think it's a powerful tool, it can not only restrict how much we can eat at one time but it gives us a psychological boost as well.... which really helps us to find the inner strength and discipline to make healthy choices about what we eat (and don't eat). My attitude has changed towards food since I got my band, and I don't even have real restriction yet.

So the band can help you a lot, but it can't do it all.

Hi there, I was worried about the same thing. As other people have said, it isn't magic. That being said, I do notice a big difference when I do "go off" what I should be eating. I find that it's not a forever thing like in the past. Even when I do go off I can get back on in a matter of a day or two or even the same day. This have never been possible with me in the past. Although my weight loss has been slow, I know it will continue. Everyone is different but this has been my experience.

Regards,

Alfie

i've only been banded for a little over 2 months and i've already learned how to eat around the band. i've had a couple of set-backs by binging on chocolate bars BUT i want to lose this weight SOOOO friggin bad that my want to be thin is stronger than my want of bad food. you're going to slip and cheat but you just have to get right back on plan the next day!