Question:
Have any of you had snaking habit before surgery?

Hi. I am planning for WLS, Lap Band, and I have the bad habit of snaking all day. Do you think I can change this habit after surgery? Nina A.    — Nina A. (posted on January 29, 2007)

January 29, 2007
I have the opposite problem I havent been very hungry latley Surgery for me is in 2 more weeks and I dont feel very hungry and am not losing either.
   — MOMTOTWOSONS

January 29, 2007
Nina, I had the bad habit of snacking at night. I had the lapband on Dec 4th and I have stopped snacking at night. But that was my decision to stop. I want to succede at this so I made myself stop snacking and if I do snack I try to have a healthy snack. You have to want this bad and make up your mind that it will succede. The lapband will not make you stop snacking, it will make you stop eating a lot but you have to make yourself stop snacking. Best of luck. Dan
   — bigdooba

January 29, 2007
Start working on it now. Surgery does not make you stop snacking. You may (or may not) feel less hungry and YOU are the only one who can choose to put food into your outh. It is very hard to stop. Good luck!
   — SteffieBear15

January 29, 2007
I knew I couldn't. Heck, I joined Weight Watchers the first time when I was 6 years old. I failed every diet before WLS - why would I succeed with one after? I guess that's why I love my DS so much. Before surgery grazing (or snacking frequently) is BAD. After the DS it's GOOD! Since my surgery over 4.5 years ago I've lost 210 lbs and a boatload of comorbidities. The truth of the matter is that I love food - I have a culinary degree - so yeah - food is important to me! Again - all reasons why I love my DS! Of course, you gotta be wise! You gotta choose to get good food in first, then dessert! Do your homework! Be sure you understand the different surgeries and what their post-op lifestyle requires - this is about the rest of your life. Make sure you're at peace about it. Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

January 29, 2007
Nina, I am just gonna be honest with you, but truly, I mean it in care and concern for you. To change that habit after surgery is WAY too late. Either change it now or consider a different surgery. The lap band is designed to let small amounts of food through, but if you do that all day all the time, there is no need for surgery, you are already setting yourself up for failure. Obesity is a head issue with a body consequence. Deal with some of the head issues, even before surgery and get tough on yourself if you really want to take the weight off. It is a battle and many women and men have thought that they would change after surgery, only to find that two years down the road they are gaining back to where they were. Be in it for the long haul and start now. Best to you. Patricia P
   — Patricia P

January 30, 2007
i think the best thing for you to do is start right now on cutting out that habit. it will make your surgery alot more successful and it will be alot easier on you if you start now rather than after surgery. i'm planning on having gbs soon, just waiting on insurance approval, and i used to love regular soft drinks and every night before i went to bed i had to have something sweet. in the last 2 months i have completely cut out reg soft drinks and in the last month have cut out all sweets. i only drink diet drinks occassionally and if i want something "sweet" i keep a stock of sugar free russell stovers candy and sugar free puddings. it took a while to completely cut it out, but i wanted to do it before surgery rather than worring about whether or not i could do it after surgery. i am very proud of myself and i know my surgery will be successful since i have made this step and you will fill the same way if you work on your habit now. you have to get your mind right before the surgery because it's only a tool not a cure. hope this helps, holly
   — RNlvnCARSON

January 30, 2007
I've cut down and haven't had the surgery. I can get breakfast at work -- around 9:30 or 9:45 because lunch isn't until 1:30 -- or 2 if I'm caught on the phones. Keep those Slim Fasts at work and I will grab one of those in between meals if I get a food headache and sometimes an end user can stress me out and give me a headache and I just try to gauge which is which. I'm not doing as much snacking today as I was a few weeks ago. I remembered as a child, we weren't allowed too many snacks during the week; however, on the weekend we could have ice cream, potato chips, and McDonald (when we went to Shreveport on Saturday) --rest of the week, home cooked breakfast and dinners.
   — the7thdean

January 30, 2007
Hi Nina A. I am not much of a snacker.....but of course when they say you "can't" do something you want to! It's been an easy fix for me - try something else. What is your trigger to snack? What is your snacking preference? Answer these questions - keep a snack journal - I think you will be surprised by what you find out. When I feel the need to snack ... I go for a walk. I drink water. I eat something high in fiber or protein. I take a hot bubble bath. I read a book. I put the radio on and dance. I do whatever it takes - an outside stimulate to subsitute the snack. It works out pretty well. Good luck.
   — jammerz