Jonathan

Surgery went fine. Recovery was so rough, I wanted to die. Only three weeks out -- but that seems like long ago. And now I feel great. When I felt that bad, I thought I'd made a mistake in getting this band. But now I eat out and don't embarass myself by eating too fast. I taste what I eat and chew food until it's gone and then I feel full. Although I know that the band is only a tool, it's a tool I need. I don't regret it. I did what I had to do; I'd do it again. Each day is a chance to live life to its fullest -- to improve myself. I have to thank God, not only for my new life, but for my new friends. LapBandTalk.com, you're more than just some forums, you're like family.

Losing weight is great! One thing makes my wife upset: I have lots of gas.

Betty 54 Paula 43 Kelly 65 Becky 77 Carol 102 Alex 110 Nana~49 Rich 20 Larae 22 Maureen 73 Marie 56 Wyld Blu 73 Penni 54 Vera 60 Darcy 59 Kelly 39 michelle 135 mary 65.4 greg 77 Sharon 35 Tricia 60 Darcey 23 cindy 88 Melissa 39 Michelle 80 Jonathan 27 Total 1585.40

I definitely want smaller boobs...

Hey guys, So, I realize that with the band, you're supposed to eat 3 meals a day and not snack between meals. Well, if I were good at that kinda thing, it's possible I might not have needed the band in the first place. =) I'm sure I'm not alone, and I'm sure many of you have found healthy Snacks that you can eat between meals and be just fine. So, what do you guys snack on? Fess up!

Ok, you out-thought me. =) I still think you should do it =) I guess it all depends on how much excess skin you think you'll really get from going from 170 to 150 over the course of how ever long you expect that to take. I'll stick to my original statement anyway... you've earned it =)

How is that cheating? When you set your goal weight, did you say, "I want to be 170 lbs WITH 15 lbs of excess skin"? =) If losing 150 lbs doesn't earn you the right, losing 165 won't either Go for it, with PRIDE! =)

I think you'll have a very hard time getting unbiased advice on a support form that has one type of patient or the other -- including here. You're going to have to REALLY pay attention to the FACTS and trust your heart. Hopefully your fears about the band not working for someone "your size" are easily put to rest in the face of success stories found on this site alone. Bypass is, without a doubt (in my mind anyway), a "bigger" surgery. It changes your anatomy in a permanant way. I don't think that anyone who's done that would ever want to think and/or admit "I should have had lapband instead". But if you go there, ask them about it, and they say "Yes, you should have lapband", that's pretty much what they're having to do. My doctor does both procedures, and raves about the lapband. He says that the bypass is a wonderfull procedure for anyone who can't have lapband, or can't stand the thought of having a "foreign body" (the band) inside of them. I don't know what your insurance/doctor situation is, but if you can find a surgeon that does both and seek HIS advice, you'll be better off than asking us, or obesityhelp which procedure you should have. I just think we're all too close to the situation and too biased. =) That DOESN'T, of course, mean that you shouldn't ask question after question to both groups until you feel like you have a good understanding of both options. Don't lose yourself in the decision making process. The important thing is that you're making a decision. Bypass or Lapband, you'll change your life in the best physical way you can. Jonathan

Awesome idea. As for me, yesterday, it was definitely just the fish, no rice. And LOTS of wasabi. =)

It only happens to me when I eat. Probably related to the same thing others have said -- I ate one too many bites, or ate too fast. I used to always get hiccups eating fried rice... which I always ate too much of, too fast. =)

I decided today that sashimi was "mushy". =) I went to my favorite sushi place (I'm an addict) and ordered the "Sashimi Appetizer". I'd already told the sushi chef there that I was having surgery (yes, I love sushi SO much that I have a personal relationship with my sushi chef =) ) so he was happy to see me and knew I wouldn't be his cash cow anymore =) He cut the sashimi into tiny pieces at my request, and I sat with a friend and ate my "appetizer" as he ate a much larger meal. He was done in 20 minutes, but sat with me for another 25 as I finished my feast. It was, indeed, mushy -- especially with proper chewing. It went down without any pain or discomfort whatsoever. I was amazed at the flavor. I've never really been a taster ... always more interested in texture and quantity than in taste. I have to say, I prefer this MUCH more. I enjoyed an hour away from work. I spent half to one third what I would have spent before. I enjoyed it 4 times as much. And when I left, I didn't hate myself for eating like a pig. Oh, and I actually heard and remembered what my friend and I talked about. In the past, conversation was just a product of being there. I was there for the food. I gotta say, I *love* my band. =) Jonathan

I've been getting the hiccups a lot lately. (At least they don't hurt anymore.) Anyone else have a higher rate of getting the hiccups, either right after being banded, or just with the band in *hic* general? Jonathan

No, I'm MUCH better now, Sue. I posted somewhere about it =) Saturday I kept 12 ounces of tea down. Sunday I kept about 32 ounces. Yesterday I probably drank close to 80 ounces. Liquids are free flowing now, and mushies aren't giving me any trouble, as long as I go slowly =)

I love this site =) There's a support group in my area that meets once a month. Once a month? Whateva! I know a support site like this can't replace a doctor's advice, but we all know how hard doctors are to get a hold of. It's SO nice to be able to get a quick answer (or even search instead of post and get a QUICKER answer) when you're worried about something. And it's nice to have some place to "hang out" where you KNOW you won't be judged. I love you guys =) Jonathan

I had some for "breakfast" today. It is AWESOME. And I think about 140 calories. I REALLY like the Campbell's Soup-At-Hands!

Ahhh... I kinda thought that might be what you meant... I just wasn't sure. It makes sense. I think soup could get me into a lot of trouble... I *really* like good (fattening ) soups. I'll probably have to stay away from them once I can eat "real" food.

I'm doing great, now, Missy =) Thanks for thinking of me though! As someone in my mushies as well, I'm very curious about your comment... What kind of mushies are you eating? I had some mashed potatos today (delicious!) but they were "lumpy" (by desing, I guess) and more work than I thought they'd be. Although I'll probably get scolded for it by someone here (and deserve it ), I ate some avacados on clubhouse crackers, and found that the crackers went down more easily than the potatos did earlier in the day. (I think the wetness from the avacados helped, as well as lots and lots of chewing.) For the record, pickles aren't mushy. But that's another story. =) So after 2 weeks of liquids, they didn't think you were ready for mushies? That kind of scares me, since I'm 1 week post-op now, and am doing mushies, after 5 days of not being able to have ANY liquids. My doctor's fine with it though... We have a different format we follow... There are no time limits on stages... just goals you have to meet before moving onto the next stage. As you said though, everyone's different and things change all the time =) I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything I'll regret. (Although I have complete faith that my doctor knows what he's doing =) )

Did you eat them just with a spoon, or did you put them on something?

MMmm.... what would I eat it with... just a fork? =)

Still? 8 Weeks later?

What kind of Jello do you use? The stuff I have only has 1 gram of Protein per serving. (And that's probably rounded up =) ) Jello is probably one of those foods that I used to love, but won't with the band. I liked taking big bites and let it jiggle down. When I chew it up enough to slide through, I don't like the texture anymore

Hmm... I remember seeing some girls in short skirts dancing on a green field... almost as if they were cheering about something... Was there a football game too??

I had clam chowder today =) 6 ounces or so... the Campbell's Soup at Hand. Believe it or not, it, and any creamy or non-creamy soup is on my "stage 1" list. And it did go down fine. In fact, to be honest, unless it was just a coincidence, it's what really opened me up. I did have to keep it warm though. Again, thank goodness for microwaves. Speaking of "Soup at Hand"... is that stuff perfect for us or what? No chunks! My "stage 2" foods include mashed potatoes, applesauce, and pudding. GOOD TIMES AHEAD! =)

I just drank a COLD glass of ICED TEA in about 30 minutes!!! We're talking 12-16 ounces. I tasted EVERY sip.. did you know that tea tastes like something? I had NO idea. It was delicious. It was heavenly. It was tea. I did experience my first gas pains... just a little pain spanning from my stomach to my shoulder, then a burp, then it was gone. I can do this. =) I CAN do this. I CAN DO THIS! Jonathan

Even I had no idea how much time I spend around food. Even in "dieting" there's SO much thought into it. Going out to eat takes up 3 hours, at least, if you count getting ready (well, it takes me 3 minutes, but it takes my wife an hour), driving to the restaurant, ordering food, eating it, paying the bill, and driving back home. Since I've been almost a week now where I've spent NO time on food, I'm bored to death. I thought I didn't have enough time in the day. Now I see there's plenty there -- I just wasn't using it. All the same, I'm looking forward to spending 45 minutes eating 1/4 cup of cottage cheese =)