Questions re the Band

I'm trying decide whether or not the band is the right thing for me. I have several questions and would love to hear from banded folks. Please feel free to answer one or all! 1) Does the band REALLY address hunger pangs? 2) Are there any foods on the DO NOT EAT list? 3) For those of you who stress eat, do you have better control with the band? 4) Any issues I need to be aware? Thanks!

One thing that you need to consider---and I speak this from experience....ANYTHING can happen.  heh.  no matter what anyone or any surgeon tells you--be prepared for that.  I had the band (it was nonadjustable back then and I think the adjustable ones are much better options)...but anyway, it was said "oh, you can eat anything, just smaller portions"  and I've heard that said about the adjustable band...  but I couldn't eat anything from the bread/pasta group and could eat very few meats...mostly veggies and anything soft.  i couldn't even eat a cracker.  it would somehow bind in the stoma and stick.  I did lose alot (160 pounds) in under a year.  but I had problems and eventually had to have the band removed.  I think the adjustable band is a great option now, though.  it just didn't work out that way for me. 1.  hunger pangs?  no, the band did nothing for that.  i just literally couldn't eat more than a few bites.  that was hard...really hard.  but eventually i got over the head hunger and it wasn't too bad.  but there were times i was really hungry and flat out couldn't eat. 2.   The do not eat list--well, you can easily sabatoge the band by eating milkshakes, ice cream,  heavy fat/high calorie sauces, fried foods, candy bars, etc. etc. etc.  I found ways to 'eat around' the band--and it was usually easiest to cheat with things that were really bad for you.  Even if I could only drink/eat a little at the time, if you constantly grazed, it could be bad. 3.  stress eating.  wow.  i thought about that today--and even with the rny i catch myself *wanting* to eat more than I can.  That was also true with the band.  I try to find an alternate activity--especially when I realize that's what I'm wanting to do.  so, yes and no to that question.  yes, it's helped my willpower...but it isn't a magic wand that makes those feelings or desires go away.  it's a tool that helps me stay in control (even if i eat a few bites of the wrong kinds of things before i get it back under control). 4.  Issues to be aware of:  we all have our own opinions and situations.  Every single one will be different.  Do you research, get your information, and make your own decision.  then stick with it.  try not to second guess yourself.  Find a surgeon who you trust and follow their instructions.  You'll find that every surgeon is different in how they do things (and their post-op care/instructions, too).  Some people take mega-supplements, others take only a multivitamin daily.  I say trust your surgeon and do what he/she says....not necessarily what everyone else is doing or saying. :) good luck!  post away!  questions are great.  stimulates thought. mary

Great answer - lots of info even I could use..... D