Hello OutThere, Going to the surgeon on Thursday. 50BMI female 47yold diabetic type 11. So scared. Trice

What are you scared about?

If I don't do it - My life will be short

but

If I do do it - will I cope mentally. When you are a big eater and use it for comfort I worry what I will use for comfort instead of going crazy. No, not mad just scared.

I think you are very smart to ask yourself those questions. I will say I personally went through about 10 months of behavioral counseling and therapy before I decided, with my therapist's blessing, to get the band. I figured out why I overeat, and she taught me some good tools that should help me help the band.

Just one thing you should remember....you will be full. You will not be truly hungry. You will, especially once you've lost, most likely be able to eat all the foods you love, but will be satisfied with way less of them. However, you are right; if you use food as an emotional crutch or cover, you will either "eat around the band" and gain weight (and what a thing to do after surgery and so on!) or you will need therapy to teach you new ways of coping. There are emotional people who don't overeat; you can learn new ways. It will just take some work on your part. My therapist really helped me.

Thanks Restless Monkey

Trice,

I was banded on 8 August. I too was a big eater, but honestly, the hunger pains have been few and far between. Comfort foods can be a nice hot cup of a home made broth, or healthy soup which has been blended..(I use this a lot) but make it healthy and lean... I did not go thru this to substitute milk shakes and ice cream for healthy stuff. You will be just fine, there are lots of folks here to talk to and confide in. We have been right where you are. You will be fine and just think how ABSOLUATELY fantastic you will feel about yourself with BMI of 25 or under. You go girl... and God bless you.

You getting some counseling before the band and after is going to be very important for you. If u wanna be healthy... u gotta see its just not the body that needs the help, but also the way ur mind works to deal with problems. Best of luck!

~~jessica