I am having a gastric balloon fitted and the evaluation was comprehensive.
I realise that fixing the weight loss will not fix the emotional issues.
Like I eat to feel a need.
I can fill my time generally but that is not enough.
I need to learn/understand/actually get through to my brain/stomach that the only person who can make me happy is me. Filling time should not be an issue. I should be absolutely happy with who I am and where I am in my life. Is there a psychological topic running?

I would recommend speaking with a licensed psychologist before getting the procedure. You want to make sure you are 100% ready for something like this so you don't hurt yourself physically or mentally.

Hi Gator
I did, which is what has made me think about the longer term effects of this procedure.
I was just wondering if any other newbies were addressing the same "brain to stomach" issues

If you're eating to fill a need, to me anyhow, that's absolutely the worst reason to have a balloon fitted because you'll never truly resolve the weight issues...

When are you having it fitted?

What I would strongly suggest between now and then -- with every bite of food you take -keep a journal and don't focus so much on calories and such but instead on what you ate -and more importantly how you felt before you ate - while you were eating and after.

I am having it fitted next Weds.

I will keep the journal -thanks for the suggestion.

I would like to lose the weight and address the emotional side at the same time. I am being offered support, not just diet but pschological support and now that I realise what the problems are, then hopefully I will be able to treat the whole of me.

It's called willpower and you need a lot of it in order to lose weight. Forget the psycho-babble talk. It's just going to screw with you even more.

my friends husband had the band fitted & as gator suggests he had to see a therapist as part of his pre-treatment. so i'm assuming you had to aswell.

there is a thread about emotional eating i can't remember which part its in but its in my posts that i've posted on in my profile. like maleficent says keeping a journal is an option not only to record what you eat but why/when esp if not doing so b/c hungry. i would say my tendency to eat what i don't want to really eat IYKWIM happens due to emotional/comfort eating far more than it does if i'm actually physically hungry...b/c when i'm really hungry i will take the time to prepare & eat a healthy meal.

unfortunately theres no magic pill or even procedure to zap away & keep off weight...as Chef says it comes down to willpower...it sucks i know but its true i'm afraid. i once paid £3,000 for liposuction & lost a measely 6lbs from the procedure!!! a very expensive bloody way to lose 6lbs!!! (never again!! LOL) btw my friends hubbie has lost 7 1/2 stone in 2 yrs...fantastic yes...but he has had to totally change his eating habits & can never succomb to an all out eating binge ever again...he'd end up in hospital.