Kitt3000

I remember that! Oh wait- mine still makes those noises. Lol!
I find for me, it's not hunger, more like pulling the plug in the sink, and hearing everything gurgle on the way down.
Eventually, (some days I think it's never going to stick), I hope to be so in touch with my body, that my mind will just know, it's not true hunger, it's all in my muscle memory- and of course, the gurgle sink! Cheers!

No bs. Just experience with people my entire life, admittedly, small minded, only want to know so they have something to talk about- or make up something- if they actually don't have facts...
My body, my business , don't care what most people think, happy to share with folks here who genuinely come here for info and support.
I admittedly like animals more than most people- because animals are genuine. Which does not mean I I don't have close friends, or people who love me, but, sometimes you are damed if you do, damed if you don't .
Good thread, enjoy hearing both sides, but have to agree with the two post above, one a button down professional work environment , where most things are impersonal, and the other post stating it's a choice each person should make for themselves, based on their truth and circumstance, has need of being respected. We all are doing the best we can, no bs

I remember that! Oh wait- mine still makes those noises. Lol!
I find for me, it's not hunger, more like pulling the plug in the sink, and hearing everything gurgle on the way down.
Eventually, (some days I think it's never going to stick), I hope to be so in touch with my body, that my mind will just know, it's not true hunger, it's all in my muscle memory- and of course, the gurgle sink! Cheers!

No bs. Just experience with people my entire life, admittedly, small minded, only want to know so they have something to talk about- or make up something- if they actually don't have facts...
My body, my business , don't care what most people think, happy to share with folks here who genuinely come here for info and support.
I admittedly like animals more than most people- because animals are genuine. Which does not mean I I don't have close friends, or people who love me, but, sometimes you are damed if you do, damed if you don't .
Good thread, enjoy hearing both sides, but have to agree with the two post above, one a button down professional work environment , where most things are impersonal, and the other post stating it's a choice each person should make for themselves, based on their truth and circumstance, has need of being respected. We all are doing the best we can, no bs

No bs. Just experience with people my entire life, admittedly, small minded, only want to know so they have something to talk about- or make up something- if they actually don't have facts...
My body, my business , don't care what most people think, happy to share with folks here who genuinely come here for info and support.
I admittedly like animals more than most people- because animals are genuine. Which does not mean I I don't have close friends, or people who love me, but, sometimes you are damed if you do, damed if you don't .
Good thread, enjoy hearing both sides, but have to agree with the two post above, one a button down professional work environment , where most things are impersonal, and the other post stating it's a choice each person should make for themselves, based on their truth and circumstance, has need of being respected. We all are doing the best we can, no bs

No bs. Just experience with people my entire life, admittedly, small minded, only want to know so they have something to talk about- or make up something- if they actually don't have facts...
My body, my business , don't care what most people think, happy to share with folks here who genuinely come here for info and support.
I admittedly like animals more than most people- because animals are genuine. Which does not mean I I don't have close friends, or people who love me, but, sometimes you are damed if you do, damed if you don't .
Good thread, enjoy hearing both sides, but have to agree with the two post above, one a button down professional work environment , where most things are impersonal, and the other post stating it's a choice each person should make for themselves, based on their truth and circumstance, has need of being respected. We all are doing the best we can, no bs

I know you're nervous but I'm excited for you. You are starting one heck of a journey and you will be so happy once you start to lose the weight, get healthier, and feel better. Keep us posted and let us know when you've made it to the other side.

I told no one....didn't want to put myself through all the cross examination, etc.
I'm one of those where a lot of things about me is none of anyone's business but mine.
I simply took a week off from work.
Since then I have lost all excess weight, I am a normal body fat%....a slim physically fit person.
That was over 3 years ago....everyone has forgotten I was ever fat, and new people I have met since then never knew I was fat and there's no reason to tell them.......no one talks about it anymore. No One!
Even with my PCP and Cardiologist, they never bring it up anymore...no more "You need to loose a few lbs"
I did it, completed it, now live a new life because of it.
Life is good....
People look at me today, and see an energetic, vegetarian, daily gym rat, no junk food, 63 year old male.
And I'm fine with that.

Judging. Shaming. One-upping. Self-righteousness.
We all suffer from it.
It's a toughie.
Over the last 15 years, while caring for family members with health issues (like many of us have) and being caught up in some attendant family conflicts, I came to realize that no matter how anyone is acting or responding at the time, they are probably doing the very best they can manage right now. In the future, they might and probably will be able to do better.
That's probably true of each of us here, too.

I am a private person - when I went thru a divorce 20+ years ago, no one in my office knew until they saw my name change back to my maiden name - was I embarrassed about getting divorced? No, I was happy to get rid of the abusive piece of crap, it just wasn't anyone's business.
There are now six people that know I had surgery - husband, son, parents and two friends. I just told my oldest friend last night. We recently reconnected after a couple of years of shutting her out. I felt like I wasn't being authentic with her when I didn't tell her about my surgery. I felt the need to tell her and finally did. She was supportive as I expected her to be. We had a great talk about it - she is naturally thin, she has different struggles than me. She listened and showed genuine concern and happiness for me.
I do not feel the need to tell people I barely know "how I lost all the weight". I just don't. I feel like telling them gives them license to share my story with others - this is my story, not theirs to gossip about. I live in a small community - the minute I tell one of the mom's at school, mom's on the other side of town will know. It's not that I'm ashamed, it's my story, not fat to chew at the pick up line at the school.
We are all different - our bodies were made differently, our personalities are different. That's what makes this such an awesome forum. I love to read other peoples' perspectives - I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this debate other than "Do what's best for you!"

Kindle, your lifestyle and personality are such that you aren't harmed by others' opinions about either WLS in general or your own WLS. Your decision to be transparent about WLS works for you.
But your situation isn't the same as mine. Looking only at our work situations, you work in veterinary medicine, and I work with people who wear suits six days a week.
My clients and yours probably couldn't be more different in terms of what is considered appropriate to discuss when the meter's running. "Buttoned down" only begins to describe how formal my work world is.
It's also a judgmental culture, in the sense that judgment is what my clients pay for and what their clients pay them for. Very few (if any) of my clients and work colleagues are overweight, much less obese. They are fit, fashionable and lead mostly healthy lifestyles. The comments they've made over the years about people who are heavy make it crystal-clear that they have zero understanding or empathy for those who are not like them. And trying to convince any of them that WLS is the proper response to obesity would be like trying to convince them that ... sorry, but I can't even think of a suitable analogy.
One of my motivations for WLS was to be able to become even more successful in my career. I'm not looking to be perceived as even more different from them.
So in response to your thread title, I am very honest with myself. But I do not see any upside for me in being honest with them.
Does this put a barrier between my work colleagues and clients and me? To some extent, yes. Is it possible I could change my mind and become more transparent with them? That option is always available to me.
But while I'm going through all these WLS changes myself and sorting out my own feelings about so many aspects of weight, overweight, health, and other things in my life, the last thing I need or want is to struggle through difficult conversations with people who have no understanding of the problems I have struggled with since I was six years old.
So this is why I think the decision to tell or not tell about WLS will always remain a very personal decision. There is no universal right or wrong about this decision.
In many ways, this ongoing debate about WLS transparency reminds me of my all-time favorite bumper sticker (seen 30 years ago on the back of a San Francisco taxi): "Opposed to abortion? Don't have one."

Recently one of the forum members, veganjello, on the Lap-Band forum, found a delicious liquid to add to anyone's arsenal of acceptable foods and liquids to eat or drink pre and post op.
http://milliessavoryteas.com/index.htm Millie's Savory Teas are just like little tea bags with a little green tea(I can't taste the tea) mixed with other flavors like Spicy Tortilla, Tomato Basil, Indian Spice, Smoky Facon(bacon?), Butternut and Lemongrass.
I've only tried the Spicy Tortilla and it was very tasty. These tea bags simmer in 6-8 oz of hot Water and taste like broth. There a small amount of sodium in each one and the green tea gave me a nice buzz(I'm a little sensitive to caffeine since surgery) and assuaged my hunger for an hour or so. I'll be trying the others and will add comments as I sample them.
 

What's up with my avatar randomly changing one or more times a day? This has been happening over the last week. Sometimes it's actually my profile picture, but right now it's some strange woman wearing glasses. It's been 5 different things that I know of, including cartoon characters. WTF?

I do feel quite full and satisfied, after sipping on one, I enjoy them, and I get dairy, Protein , fruit, Fiber, Probiotics, all in at the same time. I also eat regular meals, of protein and vegetable . I just wonder why slider smoothie has a bad rap. I don't feel full or satisfied on a Protein Drink, so I get that.
I have always been a fan of frappe drinks, so if I can get fruits, veggies, etc in one "meal", stay full, and enjoy it too, I think why not? But, I also like to hear others thoughts on healthy suggestions. Never know what "nugget" will inspire!

I AM ONLY TWO DAYS POST OP AND CANT DECIDE WHETHER THE LITTLE BUBBLING IN MY STOMACH IS ACTUALLY HUNGER OR AIR. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS SILLY BUT ITS A DIFFERENT FEELING THAN THE HUNGER I HAD BEFORE.

I think it's because it help to tell your brain that you have eaten more than you actually have.. I may be wrong though x x

I don't know if this is why but chewing to mush extracts maximum nutrient from the foods. Makes for more soluble (absorbable) nutrients.
Plus, if you take time chew-chewing everything, it's gives your stomach time to tell your brain time you've had enough to eat, and to stop eating at satisfied, not full.
Eating fast with not enough chewing gets a lot of food in before the natural system can let the brain know to stop. You consume too many calories and get that OOF! I've eaten took much feeling

Because it still takes time for it to pass through the band. The texture makes it so that the stomach still has to work to get it through the band. Whereas, with a true slider, it literally almost just slides through the band without much work on the part of the stomach. Also, the other thing is that when it takes you longer to chew something, you get the satisfaction of eating for a longer period of time without actually having to consume more food. And, as the above posters have mentioned already, it gives your stomach time to send the message to your brain that you've had enough before you've eaten too much.

I like Countrysweet's answer. You can down 16+ ozs of slider foods in a matter of minutes whereas chewing your chicken cordon bleu could take 20+ minutes. And solid food will take a little longer to pass through your pouch.

I can only tell you what I know my surgeon has told me about such things. He says those things are sliders. He prefers that we eat our Protein rather than drink it. I can't tell you from experience really because the only time I've ever done smoothies in the post-op period was on 2 different occasions when I was really craving a milkshake, I made a smoothie instead. It did seem more filling than I expected so I don't really know how to answer your question. Perhaps some of the veteran bandsters who've been at this a lot longer than I have will have a better answer for you....

Just because it's a slider doesn't mean it's unhealthy. As long as you aren't hungry between meals, you're losing weight and the shake satisfies your nutrition requirements why not?
But looking at this from a lifelong lifestyle I think in the long run it's best we consume normal healthy foods most of the time otherwise it becomes just another diet that you tire of?
And I believe docs/nuts consider sliders to be any food that does not stimulate the valgus nerve?

That is simply the best feeling, and then you look at it, make peace that it fits but no longer in style and "let it go" let it go".......

That is simply the best feeling, and then you look at it, make peace that it fits but no longer in style and "let it go" let it go".......

I experienced a new NSV this evening and I have to say, I'm feeling pretty good after this one! My daughter had a dress in her closet that was MINE when I was a sophomore in high school. I wore it when I walked in the football homecoming that year. I remember feeling so beautiful in that dress. We were looking through old yearbooks and pictures a few nights ago and she said "Hey! I have that dress in my closet!" So tonight, she pulled it out of the closet and insisted I try it on. I was certain that it would NOT fit. Only, it DID fit! OMG! Wow! What an amazing feeling that was/is! I just can't believe it! People keep telling me how skinny I am and how great I look but I have such a hard time seeing/believing it for myself. I have spent my entire adult life wishing I could be THAT small again and looking at that picture and thinking how little I was and now...Wow! Just wow!

Here is a question for ya all, if we are supposed to chew chew chew to mush, why does it matter if we are eating sliders? Or Protein Shakes?