Hi! I'm completely new here, and I have a question for you all. I'm planning on being banded over the summer (I just started the process with my doc) and need to know: does the band really help? I guess what I'm asking is: If I haven't been able to lose weight before without the band, is the band really that helpful that I'll be able to lose the weight after I'm banded? I guess I feel somewhat hopeless after trying so many times to lose weight, and wonder how helpful the band really will be. I'm willing to make the commitment and change my eating habits, but does the band make changing those habits any easier? Thank you for your responses!

Edited April 4, 200917 yr by kristanlee

IF your problem is eating too much at meals, then yes. IF your problem is grazing and snacking, then maybe not, or at least, not without some real work on your part. Because it provides portion control but you can graze and literally eat all day. What is that saying...I can eat an elephant, one bite at a time? LOL So only you can really answer that question.

It is important to understand that the band is NOT a calorie counter. If the issue is not being able to have the self control to make the right choices, then maybe not. The band is only a tool, but you have to make the decission to become a healthier you and make the right choices.

My problem is portion control and using food as an emotional crutch. If there's anything I've learned from reading the posts here and in the introductory materials, it's that the band is a tool. I must change the way I feel about food and my relationship with food. I was just wondering if the band was helpful in making those changes. Thanks for the posts!

The band helps with portion control. I feel satisfied on about a third of what I ate prebanding. I almost never hungry, so it doesn't feel like a diet even though I routinely eat 1200-1500 calories per day.