mminuk

I gave up ABSOLUTELY nothing I enjoy!
Life is more normal after surgery if anything.
I still eat EVERYTHING I love. Just a lot less of it. That being said, I am a meat and potatoes guy that never really ate a lot of Cookies and candy.
Living alone, I eat out 5 to 7 days a week. I either order and appetizer or kids portion when available. If I do order an "adult entree", I ask for a to go box before I even start eating. I store what I don't plan on eating in the box and take it home for later.
I don't do fast food (any place with a drive thru). If you enjoy McDonalds,Jack-in-the-box or Taco Bell, you'll have to cut you portions and trips down.
NOTHING is bad in moderation!

My Dr. did require 2 wk. liquid diet. Until reading posts on here I had never heard of a Dr. that did not require it. The good thing about the liquid diet is I lost 10lbs before my surgery. A nice jump start. My Dr. said the larger the liver...the greater risk of accidently knicking it. I tend to side on better safe than sorry...So, I would probably do the 2 wks liquid anyway. It is entirely up to You.
Best of Luck with Your Surgery!!

I had a post JUST like this a couple weeks ago. I've been heavy as long as I can remember. I guess there is a picture of me at like 4 when I wasn't but after that, as long as I can remember I was chunky. I was about 260 in college and my husband married me at about 270/275. Picuring myself smaller is a stretch but what I was told is - don't think so much about how you will look (although that is so exciting). Think about how you will feel. How much easier it'll be to bend over and pick up something off the ground or try your shoes or cross your legs - something I dont' think I've ever done. How exciting it'll be to shop at normal stores, buy the cute clothes... I'll be 30 in a week and these are some of my motivators. Not to mention the HEALTH BENEFITS!
And as far as your friend goes, I have learned that there are times in life when you have to be okay with being selfish. You are doing what is right for you. Embrace that! Hopefully she will come around the to the idea of you being healthier. Encourage her on the way. Maybe she too will decide to change her life for the better.

I have not been given any limitations to food. But I have my own based on my needs and what does and does not work well for my band.

Having said that, the rules that I was given was 4 oz of food, 3 times per day. No snacking in between. Each meal should be 3 oz of Protein and 1 oz of anything else I want. I should eat about 800 calories per day and get 60 to 90g of protein per day. For Water the minimum is 64 oz.

Working within the rules I usually eat between 450 and 650 calories per day, and I always get in at least 60g of protein. I hardly drink a protein shake unless I just have a day where I don't feel like eating. For water, I typically get in about 124 oz -- but that's because I'm actually that thirsty and not out of requirement. With each meal I tend to skip the 1 oz of something else and stick to 4 oz of protein. I'm not big on fruits and veggies... especially in the winter time. It's a thing so I depend on my Vitamins to get me what I'm lacking with no fruits and veggies.

Because I used to be diabetic, I avoid anything white like bread, flour, sugar, and rice. And I eat very low carb because carbs tend to spike my blood sugar and now that I'm off diabetes medication, I'd like to stay that way.

Just recently I made a video about my food, my choices, and what I work for with each meal. If you're interested, it can be viewed at http://www.thebandinme.com/2010/12/02/food-exercise/

Congrats to everyone. I too waited a long time to get my band I looked into it for about 2 years, I was scared about the surgery that I use to all was chicken out from going to the seminars. I know chicken but now I have lost over 200 lbs and I feel great, It has by far the best decision I ever made. I would tell anyone the Lap band saved my life.

Good Luck to everyone on their journey of healthier living 4 more pounds to goal.
Jon
:thumbup:

When I was a little girl, the doctor told my grandfather that he would have to give up salt. My grandfather got sad/mad, threw a fit and said he'd rather be dead than give up his salt. He was dead within six months; he was 51 years old. My grandmother on the other hand, had to have her gallbladder removed and was told by her doctor that she'd have to give up fried food (my grandmother's specialty was fried chicken every Sunday for dinner). The rest of her life she'd say, "I can't eat that" when presented with anything greasy. She lived to be 91. When I was getting ready to have the band, I decided that I was going to choose to be like my grandmother. No drama. Just, "I can't eat that."

I've made no secret among my friends, family, and coworkers that I'm having surgery December 6th. To a person, every single one of them has been supportive. They've seen the long-term battle I've waged, and they know I'm not going into this lightly.
The closest thing to negative I've gotten from anyone was a comment made by a semi-friend at another friend's home this past Thanksgiving. She said, "Did your doctor require you to go through extensive counseling before approving you for surgery?" I told her I had interviewed with a psyche, and he'd agreed I know what I'm doing. She half-smiled, and said, "I'm sure you do." I took it to mean she thought I needed to be totally sure of what I was doing before agreeing to have surgery, and that it wasn't the choice she'd have made for herself. (She's rake-thin and eats like a horse, so I hate her anyway. LOL! Just kidding. Well, sort of. )
Bottom line: If you're comfortable surgery is the right choice for you, then stand up for yourself. As the old saying goes, "When they're running you out of town, get in front of the crowd and make it look like a parade!"
Good luck!
Dave

My surgery is in three days, on December 6th. We're going to Glacier National Park in June, and then to New York City in September. I want to hike the park and walk city streets without being exhausted and having to sit down so often. I want to keep up with my friends, instead of lagging behind all the time whenever we go somewhere.
I have the next six months to lose the first part, and all Summer to lose even more. I hope that by the time NYC rolls around I'll be able to comfortably fit in an airline coach seat. That would be a major treat. (Man, have I gotten simple, or what? LOL!)
Buying clothes that fit right off the rack in a normal store, not from the fat guy places. And as I posted in a similar thread awhile ago, I want to be able to go on vacation and bring home a souvenir article of clothing that isn't a ballcap - till now, that's all that would fit me.
Everything else is relative.
Dave

You know - I think one thing that I am most excited about (you know beyond the being healthy parts) - at least a physical part I'm happy about. I'm ready for a full compliment not a half-one. Anyone who has gotten half compliments knows exactly what I'm saying. The "oh you have a beautiful face" or the "dude your sister would be perfect if she'd lose some weight" ... Anyone else sick of them? I am a phenomenal, beautiful person despite their sideways view of me. I'm just happy that my outer body will soon match the spunk from my inner soul.