One of the unspoken thoughts I've been having since considering the surgery has been "what about my precious food?! Will I never again be able to gorge at the all you can eat seafood buffet on vacation?! Will I never again be able to have a big ole birthday dinner with a big dessert?!" I associate special occasions as occasions to splurge and eat whatever. I usually eat pretty healthy... especially when I cook at home... but around the holidays and other special occasions I say "To hell with being healthy!"

At first I didn't know if I could handle letting go of the pleasure of food long-term. Then I started thinking "Maybe the emotional/pleasure side of eating goes away with time?"

Is this true?

Two years or so down the road, will I be perfectly happy eating two crab legs, two shrimp, and a bite of lobster tail for dinner on vacation? Or will I despise my husband for being able to eat until he is just about to pop?

My surgery was in April and since then I eat to live, not live to eat. I must admit that some of the pleasure of eating has gone because I am eating differently now. There are certain foods that just don't go down well and others are just an effort - chew, chew, chew, eat slowly, etc - all behaviors that were foreign to me. The good news is that my cravings have gone away - I don't crave sweets anyone and the urge to binge has gone - probably because I know that I can't do it. Food is not important to me anymore and that's OK. I have no problem going out to eat, going to parties, etc. and finding something to eat - I just eat MUCH less and take the leftovers - usually can get 3-4 meals out of a restaurant portion. All in all, NO REGRETS!! My foodie friends miss me joining in with mucho gusto, but losing 35 pounds feels better than eating a pint of ice cream.

I personally still desire my comfort foods sometimes. I had a snickers yesterday, don't tell anyone. I try to eat the right foods, but I do still have to watch myself. You will have times you can eat some of the things you love, but in smaller portions. You will learn as you go what works for you personally. I can not eat bread, but my friend who had the surgery can eat bread. I am glad I can't eat bread because it was something I ate way to much of. I still eat a burger, but without the bun. I had surgery six months ago and I do not crave the junk food like before. But during my TOM I do. Best Wishes

Two years or so down the road, will I be perfectly happy eating two crab legs, two shrimp, and a bite of lobster tail for dinner on vacation?

i think so. as mentioned by the previous poster, i no longer fixate on what i'm going to have for my next meal, what time that meal will take place & where. 9 months out, i don't have any foods that give me a problem - i take my time, enjoy every meal - actually TASTE the food rather than inhale it. i think once you start loosing weight, your more apt to make better food choices in general....i pretty much lost all my salty carb cravings by month 4 & now those foods just have no appeal.

good luck to you!

I am been thinking about this also. I am very worried that my husband and I will lose our "connection". We go out for "date night" once or twice a week and it always center's around food at our local sports bar or neighborhood resturant. I don't want to grow apart because of this.

Is anyone else have the same fear?

I had the same fears! However there's been a thought that's really helped me. You can always have it again later for your next small meal.

If you love what you're having but are stuffed after 10 bites - just put it away and have it again later. It's almost better because before I'd have a huge meal and not stop till I felt completely stuffed and almost sick. What I didn't realize is, halfway through a big meal you stop really enjoying the taste. This way, I get the deliciousness of the food anew. Also, going out to dinner is better in a way because you eat slowly and really have more time to talk. That being said, I've only had one fill so far and can still eat almost anything, that's why I'm making better choices as well.

Oh and one more thing. In my case, I really stopped caring about food in the same way. It is no longer an activity. It's literally just a way to get rid of hunger. I eat like a toddler does. Small Snacks every couple of hours. It really can completely change the way you interact with food

You and your husband could change what you do on date night. Go dancing, movies,bowling,gym etc. I still eat out with my family. I make better food choices and eat less. I am always the last one finished eating. I bet if you really think about it, you will find that eating is not your only connection. Go for the surgery and the rest will take care of itself. Life is about changes. Good luck

I would have to say for me the emotional eating has been the hardest part. I'd advise to really work on this before lapband. What has made me happy is knowing that I can still eat whatever even if it's in small bites. Like on holidays I still eat all the dishes I want but now it's a teaspoon of each. Believe it or not it does satisfy me. It's different than being on a diet and 'not' being able to eat it. The one things that's really hard to understand until you get banded is that you really do get full and are satisfied. It does take awhile though for your head to learn that this small amount of food will be enough to make you full.

Since I got my band, and have gotten my sweet spot, my relationship with food has changed. I no longer crave big meals or wish I could sit down with a tub of ice cream...

HTH!

However, my relationship with food has also become MORE positive. I am a true 'foodie' in every sense of the word. I enjoy the textures, the taste, the quality of food I eat so much more. I want the 'good stuff' because I am no longer eating to fill... We were at a local pasta place and I got a tomato/mozzarella salad and some soup. I enjoyed that meal more than I ever had enjoyed one at that restaurant, and before, pasta was my favorite. But, in hindsight, it was my favorite cause it filled me up. Now, I get to eat the really amazing stuff with the really amazing tastes and enjoy it more, cause I am not fixated on needing that 'full' feeling.... HTH!!

that scared me too.

For me,the pleasure side of food is still there. Its social, its a way to relate to friends, family etc, I like going out to eat in a group. I love seeing a really yummy recipe on tv, buying the magazine, shopping for the ingredients and cooking it up. That's a great saturday acivity that Doug and I do, and we usually crack a bottle of wine whilst we're doing it.

BUT - I get the same pleasure out of a tiny amount of food, than I did before. In fact is MORE enjoyable becuase I know I wont make said recipe and then gorge myself stupid on it. I can make a cake and eat one slice, to me that's a freaking miracle.

I really enjoy food MORE now because I'm not afraid of it. I taste it better, it lasts longer, I dont feel guilty when I'm eating, all of that stuff.

Food is not the same now. I eat to live. I do miss some foods like Subway and lots of sushi.