They have learnt alot about how eating with the band can lead to good results. Some of the very first people to go through sort of went into starvation mode (their bodies did), which then lead to weight gain again when they tried to normalise their eating. There is a book written by a dietician on living with a gastric band, and she also does presentations (in Melbourne anyway). I don't know all of it, but one thing was to do with the way you chew your food. By adapting chewing technique, the stomach registers the food earlier and so you feel full earlier. This can reduce any discomfort from overfilling the tummy but also allows the person to eat a wider variety of things which gives the body the nutrients it needs and avoids snacking on unhealthy foods through boredom in the diet.
Can you get a second opinion? Just keep getting as much info on your options so you are really comfortable with the decision that you do make.
Sorry, my very profound and thoughtful reply is obviously floating around somewhere in the ether, I'm sure I posted days ago!
That's not a bad idea BG, getting the band first and then progressing. The only thing is, the surgeon I've seen, who is the best in WA, refuses to do the sleeve on anyone who has previously had the band, not sure why. There are a couple of other surgeons in Perth who do the sleeve, but their success rates aren't as high. I'll have to make another appointment and ask why he wouldn't do it for someone who has been banded.
Do you know the name of that book Kate? I know we're recommended to chew slowly and at least 30 times, and drink water between mouthfuls, just wondering if the 'chewing technique' is something other than those? Will definitely be getting a second opinion, I've got 12 months to wait for either procedure anyway, so its a great time to talk to other surgeons and try other methods, and only use the surgery as a last resort. One of the main reasons I originally went for the appointment was because they do a full panel of tests before the surgery, to make sure there's not another cause for the excess weight - I wanted the tests, but the GP wouldn't order them for me. Doncha know, everything, even the common cold, is caused by being overweight these days!
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