Is This Really So Hard?

[BeyondAnanda]

This is my first post ever, and I'm confused. I haven't been banded yet and in fact am just beginning the process. Am I so naive? Why does everyone make this sound so hard? I thought, well, the reason we gain weight is because we eat portions that are too large and sometimes eat the wrong things. The band should take care of portion control, right? And if you begin to eat the wrong things, doesn't the band at least stop you before you down that entire bag of Fritos? Other diets seem to fail because you have to fight so hard not to eat when you have room for more food. Isn't this the tool that makes it so we have less room for food, therefore, we CAN'T keep stuffing ourselves? I mean, you eat some steak and some salad, and after that you CAN'T eat the cake, right? Or am I wrong? if you go back and eat the cake later, at least that stuffs you and you can't eat another piece, which, face it, fat people probably would do as long as we could. I'm not getting it, how it can be so hard, and such a struggle.

In case you're wondering, I'm no immature bimbo. I'm 60 years old, 5'2" and 240 pounds, but I was thin when I was younger and I loved it. I'm not afraid of it. I already eat the meat and veggies first. Too bad I have room for lots of that and other stuff too. :ohwell: My motivation for getting banded is the osteoarthritis in my knees, which is exacerbated by the weight and which rules out a lot of heavy exercise, adding to the weight problem even more. If being banded is going to be just as hard as any other diet plan out there, I need to know because I can't see it.

[503-250]

Nope...it's not hard at all. I think you have the right attitude and that's more important then the band. Excercise is definitely important though...even with OA...I've got RA and Gout and still figure out ways to work out so I am sure you can to.

Best of luck Beyond...make sure you stay in touch and let us know how you're doing.

[art]

Welcome to the site. You will be coming to us multiple times during your journey and you'll learn that the people here are a tremendous help with any questions or concerns you may have. We will tell you the truth and we will not be critical. You will find friends here. I have only been banded about 10 days so I still have a lot to learn from the process. For me the hardest part was the 14 day preop liquid diet. It was the hardest thing I ever accomplished. The surgery was a breeze and recovery was a breeze. The people at the hospital were all marvelous. I would recommend Rochester Minnesota to anyone. I guess what I learned during the 6 month preop diet required by my insurance company is that I was never eating well. I was given a plan that headed me in the right direction. I didn't lose much weight during that time but I learned to eat during that 6 months. A very good experience. Again welcome and I hope to hear from you again. Keep posting.
Art

[MommaStone]

I think you may have been seeing some posts when people don't yet have restriction (not instantaneous) -- because then we can still eat more than we should. You are right, when you are at the right amount of restriction, it will keep you from eating too much. However, the band doesn't pick what you choose to eat........that's where the need for a "head" band comes in. You still have to follow the band eating "rules". Quality, dense, lean protein, then veggies, then carbs. Limit sugar and fat. Don't drink with meals. The other thing that is hard is when we hit plateaus. You won't lose as fast was with gastric bypass and that can be frustrating because we all want to be thin instantly, even though we didn't get fat instantly.:crazy:

Keep coming here and ask any and all questions, this is an excellent source of info from folks who've walked before us on this trip

[savannah smiles]

What can make it tough having the band is the fact that you can cheat the band. Even with proper restriction, you can still eat a lot of something like ice cream because it slides right down. You still have to make the right choices and lifestyle changes which, although much easier with the band, can still be challenging.

[Ready2succeed]

Very well worded by all above. I haven't been able to get to the doctors office for a fill like I should as it is 4 hours away one way. So I am still having to have some willpower as I can still eat way to much. But like they said above it is also all about your food choices so many of the not good choices just go down way to easy and you never get full off of them. It has taken me a while to figure all this out also. I have just started journaling my food intake at that is a lifesaver!! I knew the band was just a tool but I think subconciously I was thinking it would do more of the work for me. I think it will once I am more restricted. Welcome and the best of luck to you!

[SixOfOne]

I am between surgery and my first fill. So, I am struggling along on willpower right now. It was easier when I still had restriction bc of swelling. And I think it will be easier again when I have some restriction from the fill. The pre op diet is also tough. But all in all I'd do it again and I am incredibly glad I've made it this far. Also I have lost 40 pounds in the last 3 months. So I consider it a success. It's just never as fast as I want it to happen. It's a marathon not a sprint.