I have my 1st appt tomorrow with the surgeon in my area to start the process to get the lapband. I am 34 and been heavy all of my life and food has always been my best friend or enemy. I am trying to deal with the feeling of losing the food...did anyone go through these feelings?

I think that most of us have. We all have issues with food, I think, or we wouldn't be in the situations we're in. Some people are able to overcome their food problems easily, some aren't. I'm in the latter category, unfortunately, and plan to seek counseling as soon as I get my new insurance card.

Amidst all the drama involved with a possible slip and a total unfill, my first thoughts were about what I could now eat that I had been missing. PIZZA danced in my head and visions of sandwiches swirled all around me, LOL. So, yes, I have major food issues, too, and need the band to help me control what is controllable, The head hunger I have to do on my own and with the help of friends and that higher power.

Mimi

You know, I've got issues (you don't get to 405 without having issues!) but I've NEVER thought food was my friend. I've felt more like food was a hateful master who kept me on a short leash (no kidding).

If you think food is your friend, as I've said before, she's a back stabbing beotch. Let her go.

I didn't really think about missing the food so much as I thought about missing the situations where food was involved.

Pre-op, after church, my hubby and I would always go to a specific restaurant and I would enjoy the best pecan pancakes, bacon and diet coke. Right after my banding, I would get emotional thinking about "missing" that. What I've had to realize is that we can still have breakfast after church, but it will be different.

Food is a very big part of my life, I express myself with food....I eat when I'm happy, sad, nervous, angry, but I'm ready to battle this mental disease and win with the help of the lap band lol.

Missing food and missing the situations involving food was definitely something I thought about prior to surgery. I believe there is a huge range of emotions to go through when coming to terms with giving up our old lifestyle.

What I have learned since having surgery is that I can still enjoy the same situations I did prior to surgery and I can still enjoy food only my food choices must be healthy ones. So far (4 mos. post-op) I couldn't be happier with my decision. Getting banded is the best thing I have ever done for myself. My family has been great and supportive and they are very proud of me.

Good luck to you!