not decided yet but new perspective

Since I began looking into the idea of the gastric banding surgery, and learning more about it, I find my perspective has changed. It seems that everytime I eat something, I look at it in a whole new way. I am sure that is a good thing. I am beoming more aware of what I am putting in my mouth. Does it stop me from eating with the bad habits I have accumulated? Not yet. I sometimes think, "I know better than to be eating this" or "I really enjoy this... if I pursue the surgery, will I ever be able to enjoy it again?" Sometimes my mind says "okay, eat this now, cause you may not be able to again if you go ahead with the surgery." I am sure these are thoughts that others have also had... I wonder how others have answered some of these thoughts after their surgery.
I would like to hear from some of you who have been through the different phases and what you have experienced.
Thank you
Lori W

It is very common for all weight loss patients to have that "last time" feeling.
With band patients - unlike bypass ones - you can have it again.  The tiny pouch, over time, can handle just about anything.  I am about 1 month out and I have not yet had a fill, although
I am careful with what I eat -  I know that I can eat anything over time.  Might be a year - maybe less - but I will be able to eat much smaller amounts of all sorts of foods.
My tiny pouch does not want to eat much now.  It sends this wonderful message to my brain
telling it no more!  It is amazing.  I call my stomach my 2nd brain - because it tells my head
brain all sorts of foolish things about what I should eat.  My little pouch brain just keeps on
saying no! there is no more room.  I have been through a very rough ride since this surgery.
I was very sick after - became lactose intolerant and could not eat fake sugars for a few weeks.
Things happen that you may not have exactly prepared yourself for - but the end result and
for me one month later - I am so happy I did this!  My best advice - read all you can.  Get the book
Weight Loss Surgery - by Barbara Thompson and Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies.  Excellent help!  Good Luck!

Hi Lori

I thought about everything, but I knew my health was more important then a piece of food. I did however eat all the things I enjoyed prior to my surgery. It was not the thinking that I may not be able to eat as much as how much of it I would be able to eat. So far there are only two items that I cannot tolerate and they are peanut butter and peanuts, and with the scare going on these days with peanuts I am glad.

You just have to take the time to realize exactly why you are doing this surgery if it is a health issue it should be an easy decision for you. I am still amazed at how little I can eat though and end up taking a doggie bag home with food for two more meals.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

It's funny now to look back at how I thought before my surgery. I ate anything I wanted and in whatever quantities i wanted. I knew I would NEVER EVER get these foods again. I know now I think I was using it as an excuse to pig out for a few months. I gained some weight during that time and just had more to lose when I got my mind in order. You can eat the things you love some times, but just less often and in very small portions. And along the way you might have some happy surprises in store... such as... I went to my step-daughters birthday party last Saturday and she had cake. It looked good. I mean REAL good so I took a very small piece and I took a bite and it tasted like pure nasty sugar. I threw it away. And then last week I wanted a Mountain Dew SO bad I craved it all day and then I finally made a friend buy one so I could have a little sip and when I swallowed it I wanted to gag. It was so sweet. And there ended my craving for soda, probably not permanently but I know if I try again I probably won't like it anyway. Your tastes change as you go and stuff you crave now you may not even care about in a few months. You'll see. I wish you the best of luck!