I usually keep a fairly healthy diet but my main problem is that even when full I often don't feel satisfied. It's as if my body wants something that just isn't in what I'm eating. It's like I need a cigarette real bad only with food. As a result I tend to eat a lot of different stuff until I eventually feel satisfied.

My concern is that with the band I will fill up fast but still have that nagging feeling of not being satisfied with what I've eaten. I hope you guys will tell me that this wont be a problem. I'd hate to feel like I'm starving to death with a full stomach.

I know EXACTLY what you mean and it was my main problem prior to banding. I didnt get hungry like others seem to have, but I could eat till I was full and STILL want something - usually its a fair whack of sugar that satisfies it for me.

I still suffer with this to *some* degree, and I think I always will. I can manage it a lot better with a band because I know that I cant continue to eat in the hope of dampening the craving so a piece of gum, a cup of coffee, cleaning my teeth or a small piece of something sweet like chocolate is usually ample - and obviously the emphasis is on small. Overall calories are much lower so I lost weight and keep it off.

I really dont kid myself that I'm ever going to be some perfect eater who doesnt suffer inappropriate appetite. The band wont work miracles. But it really does help you deal with it and keep it in control.

Just as an example - our favourite weekend lunch used to be a pie from the bakery (meat pies are to Australians what, I dont know, hot dogs are to New Yorkers) followed by somethign disgusting like a couple of custard tarts or donuts or massive cream cakes. A couple!!

sheesh, I cant even eat a whole pie now, let alone a cake afterwards. We switch to party pies (little mini ones) followed by a sweet biscuit. Perfect nutrition? No. An everyday food? Definitely no. But a big improvement on about 2000 calories and 80 grams of fat? definitely yes!

Its about management, control and making good decisions and the band really helps you with that.

Thanks so much. It's always comforting to know there are people who understand what I'm talking about and can offer words of encouragement.

I actually eat pretty healthy foods for the most part - just far too much. Once I am banded, I'd imagine I might even be able to loosen up my diet restrictions due to only being able to eat about 5% of what I previously could.

I do relish the thought of being able to go out to dinner and just order from the appetizer menu and be full.