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Jack hit apon the biggest secret I have learned and that it to eat until I am no longer hungry instead of eating until I am full. Another secret I learned is to pit my fork/spoon down between bites and not pick it up again until I am completely finished with the last bite. Because it takes 30 minutes to feel full, eating slower helps you feel full with less food. Those are the 2 biggest things I have learned from this process.

I don't drink much at all and had not since I was banded, But when I went under 200 pounds, my wife and had a shot of Tequilla to celebrate. No problems upsetting the tummy.

You will be fine. This journey is so different for everyone, its impossible to say how your body will react. As long as you follow the guideline and (from viewing and researching here) are aware of some of the things to look out for, you will do fine.

TOM - That is the first political post you have made that I agree with (except for the 3rd paragraph ). He was a good man in a bad time in our history. Thanks for your tribute - well stated.

I would say some can't, some can. My personal beleif is that those foods are loaded with calories and should be avoided. A hamburger patty would be good. Eating hambergers and pizza made it necessay to be banded in the first place. Just my 2 cents.

I have not tried with the peal on. My doctor said it would be hard to eat, so I havee avoided it. Too scared of getting stuck. I was told the same with oranged, that the membranes of the orange could couse problems. Nutritionally, they are fine though.

Congrats! THat's a great accomplishment!

I wouldn't say liquids are the answer. You say you are eating less, but what are you eating? I find an Atkins/Southbeach like diet have really helped me along with the portion control that the band helps with. Are you getting plenty of protein and lots of water?

I used Dr Cribbens here in the DFW area (he is in Plano off the Tollway and Park) I did not have to do the pre-op diet, but had to be on post-op liquids longer than many others I have seen here. If I remember right, I was on like 2 days of clear liquids, 4 weeks of full liquids, and 2 weeks of mushies. I really like him and his office as have countless friends and co-workers who have used him or his partner Dr Hamm. Their website is www.yournewhealth.net

1) Do any of you use baby spoons or forks for smaller bites? no 2) Do all of you NOT sip water when eating? no sipping here 3) How much alcohol can get you buzzed now that you are banded? Haven't really tried I had one shot of tequilla 2 days ago to celebrate going under 200 pounds and I did feel it a little 4) Who can still eat fast food? no 5) Who can still eat bread? haven't tried to eat bread, I don't want to know 6) Do any of you do Atkins? my own version of it - Low carb/Low fat/High protein diet 7) Do any of you do Weight Watcher's program? no 8) Does sex count as exercise? I hope so 9) Anyone have problems with chewing/swallowing/digesting nuts? no, but I only eat a handful once in a blue moon 10) What about cheese? I eat low fat cheese once in a while 11) Anyone already noticing their skin sagging? yes, lots of saggy skin issues 12) Any good snack ideas out there besides veggies? I am burned out on them!! I try not to snack 13) Any good tips period? 14) How long should it take to lose 10 pounds if you are doing everything correctly? impossible to tell, depends on many individual things like metabolism, excercise, etc.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

What an awsome/selfless thing your son did. I know your proud!

:wave: I am all for it.

Sorry your going through this during the holidays. It's easy to say on the other side that things will get better and you'll find someone even better, but the truth is you will. Keep your chin up and take care

Thanks Alicia. BTW, I love the new pic in your Avator. Your looking great!

Thanks Marz. I know what you mean about not being miserable. It was nice when all the meals were over and everone one else was complaining they ate too much and felt miserable and stuffed. I felt very comfortable and satisfied. Its a great feeling. I haven't exercised in about 3 months since I lost my last job that had a fitness center. For Christmas, my brother gave me a Visa gift card to sign up for one. I went to LA Fitness this morning and got all set up and plan on starting tomorrow. Wish me well!

Great job Alicia! I hope everyone is having a great holiday. I had a cool SV for Christmas. I made Onederland. I weighed 197 on Christmas day. I weighed againt oday to make sure it was true and it was. Have a great and safe New Years everyone.

I have been able to stay away out of fear. I fear trying something in fear I won't be able to stop and slip into old habits. For me personally, its easier to resist all together than to sample goodies. Nothing wrong with it, just too hard to me to stop once I start.

Hi Rhonda. It sounds like you are having pre-surgery jitters . The reality is that there are very few complications with the lap-band. Lap band is totally reversable and should you develope a serious complication (which is very rare), the band can be removed and everything goes back to the way it was. The most serious complications that I am aware of is slippage and erosion and again are not very common. There is nothing to worry about. To me the band did the opposite. My kids got their dad back. I am healthier and happier and can play with them a lot more than I could before the band. If I had kept going in the direction I was going before the band, I have no doubts I would not have been around long enough to see them grow up. Lap band and WLS is not for everyone, I understand that. Just know that if you decide its not for you, its not because you are worried about the complications. Good luck and let us know if you have any questions.:huggie:

I couldn't feel my port when I sat anymore than I could standing. I could feel it internally at all. Now, if I rub my fingers over it, it feels like a golf ball right under my skin, but its not irritating like it might sound . In fact, sometime I catch myself rubbing it just because, like a good luck charm. From my understanding, Its stitched into the muscle, not the fatty tissue. The needles are pretty long. But because they numb the area first, you don't feel a thing when they actually do the fill. You all are asking great questions. Not to promote my site, but I do have a link on my personal site that lets you watch the entire surgery and a doctor that does a good job narrating telling you what is goin on during it. Don't watch if your squeemish :huggie: Good luck.

Great post. Hell, I wouldn't have dated me at my heaviest. Glad I have a wife who stuck by me, although I have always been heavy.

Welcome aboard!

You are so right, Its easy to find low fat OR low carb, but very hard to find both! Possible, but hard.

Susan, congrats on starting this path. I was borderline diabetic and my Dr was about to put me on pills for it (same with my blood pressure). Hope all goes well with insurance. Its a hit or miss thing, some companies are very good (mine was great). Each doctor is so different in there approach. My experience for my consultation was this: We had a group meeting in the doctor's waiting room ( probably about 20 of us). He went over the various types of WLS, went over pro's and con's of each. Answered any and all questions. Then we were taken back one at a time to have a personal consultation while his coordinator took down our insurance infomation and the nurses took all our vitals to make sure they felt we were qualified from a physican stand point. It was painless for me. I have heard some have to sit through an all day seminar. Its hard to say what your doctor does. Whatever you have to endure, let me state it is all worth it. i would do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck.

Woody's - Great job on your loss!

Welcome Tracy! Lap Band is great. I have freinds also that have done well with RNY, but this was for me and has been successful so far. Having the "foreign body" is not an issue, no worse than having an artificial joint (knee, hip) put in or numerous other procedures. Very safe. Wish you well!