btrieger

I am just the opposite. I just passed the 5 month mark and had no surprises.

Good luck everyone. Don't get too excited. You'll be disappointed if you are expecting bells and whistles. You go to the hospital; you go to sleep; you wake up; you go home. Really quite event less and boring. We'll see you in Bandland.

Relax, it's a piece of cake. The surgery is just part of an extended process and nothing happens so quickly as to shock you. If you're expecting surgery to be a life changing experience; you're going to be very disappointed. A week or 2 after surgery, you'll be your old self and you'll have to look at the scars to prove you even had surgery.

Everything is good in moderation. If you enjoy those peanut butter crackers, then go ahead an eat one or two. If they are out of a vending machine, find somebody to split them with so you aren't tempted to eat them all. Take litytle bites and chew long and hard. It's amazing how satisfying two crackers can be. I love fat free yogurt and cottage cheese but once in a while I have baked chips or Cookies and they are delicious. This isn't a diet, this is the rest of your life and you don't have to sacrifice the things you desire. You just have to cut down the quantity and frequency.

Brush your teeth. Nobody wants to eat immediately after brushing.

You shouldn't concern yourself with infection. Infections don't happen often but they do happen. About a century ago they discovered penicillin and other anti-biotics that makes infections go away when they do happen.

Sounds like you are making assumptions Manda. She may be talking about her sphincter.

I gained 2 pounds since last week and haven't a drop of alcohol all week. Maybe that's it. Gonna suck down a few Guinness right now and get rid of these extra pounds.

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Your numbers are great but that picture in your avatar is priceless!!!! I think besides physiology, the reason men lose faster is because we are stubborn. When we set our mind to something we do it. Women, not so much.

You have no clue how disturbing this is to me and the other sane, freethinkers out here.

Congrats o your progress but don't torture yourself. If you want fries; have a couple. Anything is ok in moderation.

If your surgeon thought that Weight-Watchers was an siutable substitute for the 6 month supervised diet that insurance companies require; he is obviously inexperienced and I'd look for a different surgeon.

Captain Morgan! Unfortunately, I am bound to get dirty looks while drinking it at work. So, I settle for Water. I love water and always have. If I need a little more flavor, I throw in a packet of Crystal Light.

Congratulations honk!!! You are doing great! I understand your concern about already living on a low cal diet and had a similar one myself. I went through with surgery anyways and am pleased that I did. The lower calorie meals are much more satisfying now. You have 2 weeks to decide. If you still aren't sure you want to go through with it; postpone your surgery until you are. Surgery is not going anywhere and will always be there when you are positive it is right for you. Good luck, Bob

You've lost 14 pounds. That is a positive. You haven't gained. Another positive. You don't need your butt kicked yet. Being banded may force you to change but not necessarily for the better. You can always find ways around the band and many do. The band may make us eat slower and less but it doesn't necessarily make us eat any better. Do NOT try to change everything at once. Take it one step at a time. Drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. This is a MUST! Keeping a positive attitude also a MUST! Not about everything, just the fact that you can lose the weight and not suffer doing it. Cut your portions down a little at a time. Using smaller plates helps. Cut your food to about the size of a die (that pencil eraser crap is unrealistic) Chew each bite at least 25 times. Document everything you eat. Sites like Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate help. Stop drinking calories. Do NOT drink any soft drinks with more than 10 calories per serving. This include fruit juices and whole milk in your coffee. Do NOT eat at any joint that has a drive-thru. Walk at least 150 minutes a week. Break this down any way you want. ALWAYS eat breakfast! Eat only 3 meals a day. Snack between meals if you are truly hungry but keep it to less than 100 calories. This doesn't mean rabbit food only. Baked chips and Cookies are fine in moderation. I did this and lost 95 pounds between my initial consultation and surgery. If I can do it, anyone can! There are other minor changes required but those I listed are a start. Do one at a time and only move onto the next when you are comfortable doing so. This isn't a diet. This is the rest of your life and there is no need to hurry. Good luck! Bob

Bob, funny that you mention this. I remember believing in Santa but I can't recall ever believing in god. :rolleyes2:

Go to Shreveport; triple your money and do all of the above.

This quote highlights the obvious idiocy of Xtians and their silly beliefs. Buddhists and Hindus have much better character for the most part than Xtians. Yet, they can't go to the xtian faerie land in the sky because they don't savor Jesus? What kind of adult believes in this crap? And no, I am not being a provocateur here. I am just in awe at how gullible some adults can be.

I had my surgery at Wise Regional as well and had no pain. Maybe it's the great hospital? However, on the 3rd day following surgery I woke up and felt like I had run a marathon the day before. I was stiff for about 3 or 4 hours and attributed it to the IV fluids from surgery leaving my body. I also lost 5 pounds that night. Was Dr Kim your surgeon?

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There is nothing wrong with finishing everything on your plate if you use a smaller plate and don't over do it. I am 5 months out and have the same issue with feeling it is necessary to clear my plate. This usually isn't an issue because I don't put much on my plate. When I eat out, which is daily, I ask for a to-go box as soon as the meal arrives and put everything but what I plan on eating in the box. I don't walk on water; I get stuck and regurgitate my food at least twice a week because of over eating. When I mentioned it to my surgeon; he got pissed at me and told me I was heading for a slip. That was a week ago and I have only overeaten once so far. Come to the support meetings and you will see that many of us have similar issues. I know it's a far drive but it's only once a month. I will be reminding you when we are close to the August meeting on the 27th.

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I tend to overeat at least twice a week and have become very adept at forcing it up and out when I get stuck. My surgeon got pissed when I told him this. He said if I keep it up, it is only a matter of time before I am on his operating table to have a slip corrected. I guess when you push enough, you end up pushing some of your lower stomach through the band and that is what a slip is.

I waited about a month. Be careful if drinking beer. Especially American or Canadian crap. The carbonation causes gas that will lasts for hours. Not worth it.