Waiting for surgery and can't stop eating.

I am waiting for Insurance approval and a surgery date, I am going for the Lap Band.  I find I can't stop eating.  This is definately "head hunger" I keep eating the things I know I won't be able to have after surgery.  Did anyone else go through this?  What did you do to change, or did you just wait until you had the surgery?

I was approved for VSG in September of 2008 and was scheduled for surgery in October.  For the month leading up to my surgery I consumed anything and everything I wanted- the week prior to my surgery I ate five pints of chocolate and peanut butter Haagen Daas, as well as several servings of Olive Garden's fettuccinni alfredo and Oriental Top Ramen.  

We have a complex relationship with food and therefore, we mourn the possible lost of one of our most trusted and reliable relationships.  Consequently, when faced with the prospect of severing these ties it's natural to begin partaking in several "food funerals".  It's part of the grieving process, so to speak, and while not psychologically or physically healthy it is understandable. 

I stopped eating such giant portions and gorging myself on carbohydrates the momement I got surgery.  Truthfully, I relied on the surgery to give me my self-control and post-approval and pre-surgery I didn't exhibit any inhibitions about what I would consume. 

Thank you for your reply!!  What you say certainly makes sense.  And I know once I have my band, it will be the tool I need to help put me back in control. 

Hi Mary
  I ate everything I could find while waiting for approval but my problem was nerves- I am such a nervous eater that I put on 30 lbs way too easily!! I realized that I had to take it back off because I was already at a bad BMI. If you are too big they will put you on a two week liquid diet, but I only had a three day diet to contend with and went in at 301 lbs.
Do not think the band is going to make you stop eating- I didn't stop eating untill after my second fill (5 months later) and even today could eat around the band with what they call "slider food " like fully loaded nachos, Frito pie, enchiladas and most of the mexican food I love that is mushy, crispy chips and cookies go down way too easily too and beware of ice cream! I have to admit that I "experimented" with all of these.wicked foods after surgery.
    I found out by reward and punishment (barfing) what goes down and what doesn't--your experiance may differ. I gravitated towards raw fruits and vegs because they go down just as easy as sliders, never make me sick nor gain weight.  I had this operation to lose weight and doing it painlessly is a nice bonus.  My interest in eating is lost  except for fruits and vegs- so if I must eat I make it good for me and follow the plan. I do not mourn the stuff that made my life miserable.

I believe for me it was a mourning period of what I won't be able to have and I've already backed down from that type of eating and have been practicing chewing well, watching my fluid intake and not drinking with my meals.  I've lost 3 lbs so far.  I'm still waiting for my insurance approval so we'll see how it goes.
Thanks for your reply!

Hi Mary
Well look at you you stopped yourself  eating like that and lost 3 pounds already!! Great Job! There is a lap-band forum on here (pull down the tab above in the toolbar"Forums" and chose "Lapband"). The people will answer all your questions and guide you through everything! Hope you have a smooth approval!!
Good luck!

Thank you so much. 
I am a frequent flyer on that forum as well as a few others.  It is such a supportive environment here. 
 My fingers are crossed!!

I am having JUST the same issue.  I have my VSG scheduled on June 27, but would like to lose some weight before then.  It seems like everytime I decide to lose weight, I eat more.  These last two days have been really bad!  All I can think about is eating!  Grrrrr!  I'm making myself crazy!

I've got to find something to do to keep myself busy and away from food!

I'm still having the "head hunger" and it's a constant struggle that i don't always win.  Dinner time is the worst!!  I really have to work very hard to control myself.  I'm trying to drink more water when I feel hungry.  I still haven't received approval yet, and want to schedule my surgery ASAP.  I've met all the requirements.  So, we'll see....
I have a friend who just had the RNY and I speak to her often.  I find that sharing what I've learned helps me too.  It makes it real.
I was at Borders book store the other night and picked up Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies.
What a great source of info.  Have you seen it?

Hi there - i just wanted to let you know that I'm going through the same thing - although my surgery is scheduled for next week.  My doctor asked me to lose 30-40lbs, and i've got about 20 down, but I keep eating things that i shouldn't.  I'm on a pre-surgery diet, self-inflicted - and I can't seem to stick to it when it comes to dinner time.

We'll see what happens... We can only take one day at a time, and try our best with each new one.  I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone - and i'm glad to see that i'm not either!

Good luck - and i hope you get your approval and surgery date soon!