Hi, I am just getting ready for my initial consult and am wondering what I should be expecting over the next year. So many of you have been generous with sharing your experiences and I'd appreciate any tips or "words of wisdom" you'd be willing to impart.

Thanks!!

My best advice is to do some hardcore research. Know EVERYTHING about the surgery before you go in for consultation. If you haven't already, I urge you to read through this forum... the goods and the bads... learn about the hardships that we all go through one way or another.

Also... I'd like to say that having realistic goals are very important. Some people here lose 100+ pounds in their first year after surgery... but for most of us, this isn't realistic. For me... I would be happy with 50lbs of weight loss TOTAL. I'm figuring 1 pound a week and would like to do this in one year.

Good luck to you!

Be ready to change! Keep in mind this is not a DIET, but a true life style change. You can cheat the band, but you need to remember that you went through this for a reason. Write those reasons down on sticky notes and keep them on your fridge, bathroom mirror, anywhere you go daily. Mine are on my bathroom mirror, I read each one aloud daily while getting ready. Get someone to be on your "side". Have then do the research too, know the eating restrictions, have them go grocery shopping with you to help you make the right decisions. Don't trust yourself at first, :0). You have to work on earning your own trust. We are the reasons we are where we are today. I am finally able to trust myself a little more. I still make bad choices, but I am human and just start right back over!

Good luck!

I agree it is important to remember this is about having a new mindset. If your doctor does'nt have individual or group sessions with a psychologist on mindful eating; find one. It is important to explore WHY you eat. Because most of the time it's not about you being hungry.

There has been recent research that shows people who have a all or nothing approach to dieting are more likely to give up or in general loose less weight. After getting through surgery I wanted to live my life the way thin people do. While admittedly I eat less fat/calories, snacks than my thin sisters. I wanted to be able to have a small piece of cake at a family birthday party and not have it be a fall down a rabbit hole to eating junk for the next week.

So I may not be answering your question but I think it's important to develope a new relationship with food that allows you to be in control. I feel the band helps me do that because I eat a lot less then I used to; and by the time dessert comes I'm not ravenous for a large serving.

More directly to your question. Some people come on this board and complain the band does'nt stop them from eating ice cream, candy, etc. Well, it won't, EVER. Having a new mind set when it comes to food however will help you choose not to eat high fat/cal foods and eat less of them.

I wish i had started working out sooner but I was too embarrassed to drag my fat tush into the gym!