For the past 40 years, people have been trying to convince me that *all* fat people are in that condition because they're emotional eaters and that if we just get therapy and deal with 'why' we eat, the weight loss would come off "just like that". For a long time I bought into that theory.

As part of becoming a psychiatrist, I had to go into therapy myself and it became apparent that I am not an emotional eater. I don't eat when I'm depressed or stressed. In fact, I tend not to eat during these times because my stomach tightens into a knot and if I eat, it will just come back up. I don't eat when I'm happy because I'm too busy with 'life'. I'm not a sweet eater. I don't eat all day. So I just accepted that I ate too much (of the wrong things like carbs) for my sedentary lifestyle.

Then, one night at dinner, I had an epiphany. My loving concerned husband said to me as I reached for a second helping, "if you'd just stop at one when you're full..." It hit me. I *do* stop when I'm full...and it isn't gut busting full, just 'contentedly' full...and it's the same type of 'full' that my husband gets with reasonable, moderate portions and he's no more active than I am!

This is what I expect the Lap Band to do...create that physically 'full' feeling.

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Hi Elfipoo,

Yes!!! you nailed it ! That is exactly what the band will do for you. It is hard to get used to and even if you are not a real emotional eater there will be some "head hunger", but it is so wonderful to feel full on very small portions.