I simply cannot understand going under the knife, having 85% of your stomach removed and a few months (or less) later, asking....."How long before I can have a soda?" That's simple, never. Or at least you never should. At the seminar I attended prior to surgery, I knew cokes were the ONLY thing he said NO to, no as in not in six weeks, six months or six years. I know there are some that cross that line, but why? I quit smoking fifteen years ago, a bad habit, an addiction, just like soft drinks are for some people. I have never wondered or considered going back. I did not stop smoking, just to start back up again a few months later. I was not a 'coke' person before, so the thought of NEVER drinking a coke again, that was not a deal breaker. I maybe had six cokes a year, and I had 'rules'.....crushed ice and out of a fountain. I can't believe anybody can think it's a good idea to consider this, I went into starting this new life knowing that I'd have to make lifestyle changes, changes that I can make because it is much, much easier to resist when I need to or want to, but my new life has a new look, besides wearing size 4's and 6's....the new me weighs every morning, religiously. When at home, I weigh and measure my food. I log my food on line. I make it a point, when I'm measuring a half cup of cottage cheese, I don't quite fill it to the top of the measuring cup. Almost but not quite, I under eat my sleeve, meaning I stop before it is filled, it is way more comfortable this way. I hate that 'Thanksgiving' full feeling. I am not deprived, I eat anything I want to eat, but there are things I CHOOSE not to eat, at least not often. Seriously, when it doubt, err on the side of caution, it's a slippery slope we are walking on. Failure is NOT foreign to any of us. It's easy to get in the gutter and not nearly as easy to climb back out. Ok, 'nuff said. I'll quit preaching!

Laura-ven,

Majority rules! :-P

Ntv txn-I gave up soda, coffee, and wine for my sleeve. I track my food but travel a lot for work so I can usually only weight measure portions at home on the weekend. Any tips to under eating your sleeve away from home. I eat until full right now.

You are a good person. I went to decaf, per the doctor's instructions, prior to surgery and didn't even like the way it tasted until 3 month post op. The dietitian told us at the seminar and I quote "I am not going to ask you to forever give up something I wouldn't give up" - this was concerning coffee. God bless her and Dr. Davidson!!!! LOL I don't drink wine, I suffer from migraines, and I've never drank a lot of anything but iced tea. A glass is sitting here with me as I type! Everyone is different, and when eating out, you can only "eyeball" what you're eating, it get easier the further out you get. My problem is this, I do get an empty feeling, but I don't get hungry, the empty feeling is something I can ignore if I need to or choose to. With that goes the other part, I don't know when I'm full, until I have eaten more than I need to. For instance, I know I can eat one enchilada and about 1 TB of refried beans and 1 TB of rice and that is enough. I CAN eat a little more, but then I take the chance of being uncomfortable, it doesn't take a lot. Therefore I eat a little less than I can hold, I "under eat" my sleeve. I heard about this at a support group meeting I attended before surgery and have always remembered it. Does this make sense? When I order something, or when my husband and I share something, even if I don't ask for a 'to go' box then....I kind of push aside what I'll take home and what I will eat. When I've eaten it, I stop. I love tracking my food, and all the little rituals I do now that are part of my life. It's like a game to me, a game where I am winning.....at least I am right now!

I am SO happy I don't work in North Dallas! Driving back and forth from downtown is nothing compared to dealing with 635 during rush hour!

I will do just about anything to avoid 635 anytime, day or night!!! 75 isn't any better. Where are you located? We are in NE Plano, almost in Allen, love it here....but we love Dallas!

Laura-ven' date='

Majority rules! :-P

[/quote']

I will do just about anything to avoid 635 anytime, day or night!!! 75 isn't any better. Where are you located? We are in NE Plano, almost in Allen, love it here....but we love Dallas!

Forney - I do 20 to 175 to get downtown. Much less stress than 30!

I dunno - I'd rather do 75 than the Tollway most days!

30 is the worst!!!!

Forney - I do 20 to 175 to get downtown. Much less stress than 30!

I dunno - I'd rather do 75 than the Tollway most days!

Well maybe, but there is a lot of stupidity on 75!!!! LoL The drive into downtown, once you get there must be nice in the mornings. I love downtown Dallas, but I'm a nut!! We got lost/detoured in Forney a while back, made the mistake of exiting to go to Starbucks, and then the access road to get back on 20 east was closed, hence the detour. Very scenic tour....beautiful country and homes, but made the trip a little longer! LoL

(African cornmeal mush)

Known as ugali in Kenya and Tanzania, this starchy, polenta-like side dish goes by different names in sub-Saharan Africa. In Malawi and Zambia it is called nsima or nshima. The South African name for it is pap or mealie pap. (pronounced pop).

When I lived in South Africa, my family and I could not ask for a pop if who we were asking was not used to Americans.

"You want mush?" "Why?"

I'd like to see an international pop or sody chart. Iowa's apparent switch to pop must be the result of tourists, corn fields you know.

Speaking of Africa, do coconuts migrate?

<img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Exactly! Look at those crazy Californians! Thinking as one!!!

:-P :-P :-P

Speaking of Africa' date=' do coconuts migrate? [/quote']

It depends on the swallow

This group use to be supportive of others but lately it seems there is a lot of name calling. I feel bad for the new ones just joining to see all the negative responses and name calling. Why can't you just respect that others will have different opinions and leave it at that without calling them stupid. I for one am tired of logging in here and reading nothing but negative thoughts. Time for me to find another group that is more supportive. Good Luck

I could be going nuts..but wasn't this also a topic in another forum too?

as Forest Gump would say "stupid is as stupid does". I am sorry fot the way my fellow Texan is behaving. Not every Texan is like her. I was born and raised here. My father is exactly like her, they say it is Texas pride to me it is stupidity.

as Forest Gump would say "stupid is as stupid does". I am sorry fot the way my fellow Texan is behaving. Not every Texan is like her. I was born and raised here. My father is exactly like her, they say it is Texas pride to me it is stupidity.

Bless your heart. Every Texan is not like me, first of all, I can laugh at us, and how we are, deny it all you want. We are a different breed, all you have to do is look at our governor, like Rick Perry or not, he is a good Texas boy and we keep electing him, over and over again. Really, that says something right there. Then we have the Texas Nationalist Movement, a group who REALLY want us to secede from the others! Now, what were you saying, oh yeah, we aren't all like me. No, not all but....well, I'd rather have a stick in the eye than argue with a 'fellow Texan' about The Lone Star State.

Haven't read all the comments yet but my dr never said I can't have it ever just for the first few months so I dont get why its so crazy to think someone who was told this would have some eventually. I used to have a diet coke like twice a month nbd