Food addict here afraid to have surgery...someone help??

I am contemplating having the lapband surgery and I have got to get on it quickly because time is running out for my insurance to pay. They won't pay after Jan 1, '05. Anyway, I want to have the surgery but I am afraid that I would try and binge or something and couldn't and I don't want to be a binger so I am hoping this would stop it. I want to lose weight more than anything on this earth and have tried a gazillion times, only to gain it back. So here are my questions: 1. Will I still be able to eat a reasonable amount of food if my husband and I go out? 2. Will I be able to eat good kinds of food once in a while? 3. Will I lose the majority of the weight that I have extra, I don't want to have the surgery only to lose 40 lbs and need to lose 80. 4. How will this surgery change me from being a food addict, will it? Is that why people have it done to control what they can't on their own? I welcome anyone's comments, thank you all!!

Hi, there is a Lap-Band board where you can meet very successful bandsters who may be able to answer some of your more specific lap-band questions. It is here http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgtype-forums/LapBand/posts.html 1. Will I still be able to eat a reasonable amount of food if my husband and I go out? -- My understanding of the lap-band is that it is restrictive, you won't physically be able to eat a whole bunch of food without a lot of discomfort and a feeling of being full. 2. Will I be able to eat good kinds of food once in a while? -- What are good foods? If you mean eat sweets and 'junk food,' yes. The surgery only restricts the amounts you can eat. It is up to you to make good use of it. 3. Will I lose the majority of the weight that I have extra, I don't want to have the surgery only to lose 40 lbs and need to lose 80. -- How much you lose will depend on how serious you are about losing. There are bandsters who have lost more than 100 pounds with their bands. It requires a lifestyle change though. Bandsters dedicate themselves to quality food choices and exercise. 4. How will this surgery change me from being a food addict, will it? Is that why people have it done to control what they can't on their own? -- No, the surgery is on your stomach, not on your mind. You will still need to work through whatever issues it is that makes you want to eat. Many of us (myself included) have been in therapy or continue therapy to help us deal with the issues of emotional eating. Any weight loss surgery can be 'out eaten' -- meaning anyone can have the lap-band, RNY, DS or VBG surgery and the surgery not be succesful because the patient continues to make the wrong food choices and not follow their surgeons eating orders. Good luck in your journey and keep researching. Go visit the lap band forum as well, they are a fantastic group in offering support and help to everyone.

If you want to have surgury before Jan 1, 2005 you need to start your paperwork and the process. I started the process the first week of September and just got a surgury date in November 22. And my insurance does not require a precert. You need to get started lots of things to do before you can get a date. I wish you the best of luck.

Yes, I am going tomorrow to talk to the MD and get it all started, thanks!

Hi Lacy... i had some of the same concerns... but my desire to get rid of the weight overrides my desire to taste all of the things i like. For me, i have decided to look at this thing from a mental perspective. And for some reason, before the thought/decision to have this surgery, I could not focus on the mental game food plays on a person, to save my life! But now, I have just decided that for once, I am going to eat to live, not live to eat. And the thought has stuck. The Drs. wanted me to do some disciplined weight loss before they agreed, so for the past 2 1/2 weeks, i just decided to eat different. Looked at it that the eating ha*****anges will have to take place anyway after surgery, so I started cutting out the foods that I won't even be able to eat, BEFORE the surgery. The result? Lost 10 lbs. Go figure! lol .... so perhaps something that I have suggested from my own path, will help you on yours. Good luck!