I have really been cosidering the band for about 6 mths, since a family member had it done. My concerns are not with the surgery, device, ports, etc, My concern is my love of food. I don't eat for comfort or out of depression, I just like to eat good food, as I'm sure a lot of us on this forum do, we didn't get big by having an aversion to food. How hard or long did it take for any of you to get over your food "addiction". I am 6'6" and I weigh 340-360 depending on what I have for dinner, and I think I should weigh somewhere between 230-250. Diets haven't worked and I really see this as a great opportunity but I know that the procedure doesn't address the cravings/love of foods. Any advice?

Hi Magnus,

I love food too! Specially good food. What the band has done for me is help me enjoy the full flavor of the food I'm eating, since I am no longer inhaling it, but chewing it more slowly(at least I'm try to do that). I alos feel satisfied after much small portions, so I'm eating less.

The great thing I love about the band is that it has not changed my love of food. I like to cook, so I'm always looking for new recipes. I just use less fats. Fortunately, I'm not a sweet eater, so that's never been a big problem. I still enjoy a glass or 2 of wine before/after dinner, and sometimes even a FEW SIPS with dinner. You have to go slowly at first to see what your system can handle, but you probably will be able to enjoy so many flavors. Just make some healthier choices, and learn new eating habits. Maybe I'm making it sound easy - the eating habits have been a real challenge for me - but a challenge worth doing.

I was surprised at what I could learn about my eating habits after the band. I always thought I was a stress eater. But the truth of the situation is much different. I am a clean your plate eater. If it is there or available I will eat it. But if the portion is reasonable then I will not be looking for more. This has been a very good thing since the band is very effective for this kind of over-eater. I would suggest that you not go into this with a hard and fast belief of why you eat. It may not be true and the band is a wonderful tool to help you understand your eating habits (and yourself) better.