pointfndr

I used to drink Diet Dr. Pepper. One day at a casino, my husband went to get me a tea. He forgot & got Diet Dr. Pepper. I didn't realize it & took a big drink. It hurt soo bad. I'd been banded for almost a year. I know that everyone is different, but I don't think I'd chance it again.

I can't have anything with splenda (sucralose) in it. It gives me gas & diarrhea. It took me months to figure out that's what was bothering me. I couldn't figure out why I always had the stomach flu and a friend knew someone that had the same problem with splenda. I stopped eating it & my stomach was fine. It sucks because it tastes soo good & is in almost everything diet, but I'll just stick to regular sugar in small doses. :thumbup:

I don't know how to PM, but here are my stats: Banded 6-17-2008 Height -5' 2" Pre surgery 282 bs Post op as of today 266 lbs I haven't measured my waist My BMI was 51.6 & is now 48.7

6 Weeks ago I was a chain smoker. I 've smoked for 25 years. I didn't have any desire to quit & honestly didn't think that I would be able to. 7 weeks ago I started taking Chantix. I took the starter pills (white) & continued to smoke for the first week. They didn't make me feel like not smoking, I still smoked all the time. On the seventh day I started taking the higher dose (blue) pills & continued to smoke that day. At 10:30 p.m. while smoking my last cigarette I wrote a goodbye letter to my cigarettes. I woke up the next morning & had no craving for a cigarette. They say that the pills block the nicotine receptors in your brain. I'm still in shock that I haven't smoked a cigarette, they've been a part of me for over half of my life. At first I'd have a little twinge, like I was reaching for a cigarette, or I'd think about it after I ate, but they were just habits. I never had a craving. I've heard that some people start smoking again after they quit taking the Chantix, so I'm taking it for the whole twelve weeks. I'm totally amazed that it works, but believe me it's worked for me. Just make sure to take it after you eat or your stomach will be upset. I'm having my surgery in the morning , so I can't take my morning pill. I'll let you know if I have a craving after my surgery. :biggrin:

Hi, I feel your pain. I'm from Wichita & am having my surgery tomorrow in Topeka. It cost more than Mexico, but is a lot cheaper than in Kansas city. The self pay cost is about $12,500.00. I'm having it done at Tallgrass surgical center. You have to attend a seminar, they have them on the 2nd Saturday of the month. You pay for your initial appt. which is $250.00, but is deducted from the total cost. So far, I've been very happy with them. I guess the real test is tomorrow. I'm packing now & we're going to spend the night in Topeka tonight. Wish me luck & I wish you good luck with your decisions. Every one that I've talked to said that it was the best decision that they ever made and that they don't regret spending the money for it at all.

HI, This is my first post. I'm getting Banded on June 17th. I'm on the yucky liquid diet right now, but am going to tough it out.