MIND VS MATTER

[Brenny]

I am so worried about the physiologic and psychologic aspect of the band. I don't see alot of posting about this. Do you feel WEAK and tired? How does your bloodsugar react? If I go too long without eating, I get shakey, grouchy and get a head ache. I have a physical job, sometimes don't get breaks for long periods of time. How do you guys survive? I know I'm missing a big part of the way the band works.... but I don't get it. none of us need the band because we don't know what is the correct way to eat. How does it make me not eat??? Sorry, that sounds so odd, but

I'm just not getting it. Please help me understand better. Thanks, Brenny

[LaurenLeigh]

I am so worried about the physiologic and psychologic aspect of the band. I don't see alot of posting about this. Do you feel WEAK and tired? How does your bloodsugar react? If I go too long without eating, I get shakey, grouchy and get a head ache. I have a physical job, sometimes don't get breaks for long periods of time. How do you guys survive? I know I'm missing a big part of the way the band works.... but I don't get it. none of us need the band because we don't know what is the correct way to eat. How does it make me not eat??? Sorry, that sounds so odd, but

I'm just not getting it. Please help me understand better. Thanks, Brenny

Brenny,

The band doesn't make you "not eat." It makes you eat less. You just can't fit the same amount of food in your stomach as before the band. I got my band on 8/20/07. I haven't had my first fill yet(the band is filled with saline about 6 weeks after it's implanted), but I don't feel weak or tired, other than the normal weak and tired I am from being 250+ pounds!

I'm sure there are people on here who have had their band longer than me who could better explain this for you. I stayed up too late last night, so I'm probably not at my sharpest!

Good Luck!

[Clynn]

The way the band works is that it makes your body desire less food and you feel full after having eaten much much less. It sort of tricks your stomach and mind into thinking it is filled to capacity after a short time. Knowing the correct way to eat is much much different than doing it. The band is an excellent incentive towards eating well and will cause discomfort when bad eating habits are used. Eating too fast, too much, or not chewing throughly are examples of bad habits. As your habits are corrected by the band they will become second nature.

I was banded a year ago and there is just no comparison the difference in my energy levels. I can exercise twice as long and I want to go out and do things rather than just be a spectator. I feel like an entirely different person. The only time I felt really tired and weak was during the post-op diet when I was on liquids. This was due to poor nutrition on my part and by working to get more nutrients in I was able to correct that.

[barbflorida]

Ditto on what Clynn said. I just make sure I get enough protein and my liquid vitamins daily and I feel great. When you are dragging 100+ lbs. extra with you it's amazing how much more energy you have.