So, I have decided I want to test myself a little bit to see what I am capable of. I went to a seminar to learn about lap-band yesterday, and then began perusing this page to learn more about it.

Many of you talk about having to be on a liquid diet for weeks pre-surgery, and then continued post surgery. You also have mentioned not being able to drink soda, which I think for me will be the BIGGEST sacrifice. Hearing all of this has lead me to want to try an experiment.

I'm going to try to "pretend" that I am having the procedure. I want to test myself to see if I can deal with the liquid diet and no soda. I'm also setting some exercise goals for myself, and I want to see how well I can cut it. I'm still researching the lap-band, and i know that would make this easier as it would eliminate so many of the hunger pains, but I want to make a challenge to myself to see if I can mentally/physically prepare for an "imaginary" surgery.

Wish me luck, and I will keep you updated with my progress/failure!!

Wow, no I didn't!!! Thanks, WasaBB!

And you're almost all the way there! Woohoo!!!!

I'm going to try to "pretend" that I am having the procedure. I want to test myself to see if I can deal with the liquid diet and no soda. I'm also setting some exercise goals for myself, and I want to see how well I can cut it. I'm still researching the lap-band, and i know that would make this easier as it would eliminate so many of the hunger pains, but I want to make a challenge to myself to see if I can mentally/physically prepare for an "imaginary" surgery.

Wish me luck, and I will keep you updated with my progress/failure!!

You might be suprised how easy it can be to give up something like soda. I swore I would never drink *DIET* Sodas. Then I found out I was diabetic. The first 2 weeks was rough I was a horrid Pepsi addict, and plain Water made me feel sick.

But I descovered that diet dr. pepper didn't taste like a *DIET* Pop. So I started drinking that.

Cut out all sugars and junk foods like chips etc.

lost 200 lbs that way.

Now When I crave a snack I find myself looking for nuts, crackers etc instead of sugary stuff. I CAN"T stand regular sodas.

And have recently droped soda totally. And i was drinking 1-2 liters a day of diet rite. And I do not miss it at all. Sure when I'm out I sometimes treat myself with a soda but at home I use Splenda (Walmart has a version called altern that is cheaper)

And make tea, lemonaide, koolaid etc. Since the Sodas I did/do drink aren't caffinated It was easy to drop them.

If the soda you do drink is caffinated maybe try switching to sugar free tea for a while. Then slowly switch to a decaffinated version?

I admire your desire to pretend band. I may do that myself.

Now When I crave a snack I find myself looking for nuts, crackers etc instead of sugary stuff. I CAN"T stand regular sodas.

I had one of those moments today. We went to a costco kinda place today and usually I'd look at the bakery section and think... Ohhhhh, cake! Today I caught myself saying, "Ohhhh, check out the produce!"

Since I got home I've been eating fresh raspberries all day long. Found a new fruit as well! I forget what they are called, a combo of plums and apricots. Haven't tried one yet, I'm still stuffing my face with fresh raspberries.

Please, NOBODY tell me raspberries are loaded with sugar and calories, I don't want to know. :confused: Many as I've eaten today I'm afraid to go to NutritionData.com NutritionData's Nutrition Facts Calorie Counter.

nah... i'm SURE raspberries are actually like negative calories! :confused:

I've been practicing banding as well. I try to eat out of a 1/2 cup dessert cup. Not hard. The portion size was not my problem. I hate the chewing, chewing, chewing. The food loses its' flavor and I don't much care for the semi liquid texture before swallowing. YUCK! I'm eating my protein first. Never was a big soda drinker, so that's not a problem for me either. Not a big snacker, so I don't have to worry about that. Drinking all the water is a problem though. I have a bladder control problem, and it makes it a little tough. Doc says that will lessen when I lose weight and there is not so much weight on my bladder from my stomach. I worry about the exercise as I have advanced arthritis in knees, back, hips and shoulders. that will limit me and I'm afraid that will set me up for failure. We'll see....

I've been practicing banding as well. I try to eat out of a 1/2 cup dessert cup. Not hard. The portion size was not my problem. I hate the chewing, chewing, chewing. The food loses its' flavor and I don't much care for the semi liquid texture before swallowing. YUCK! I'm eating my Protein first. Never was a big soda drinker, so that's not a problem for me either. Not a big snacker, so I don't have to worry about that. Drinking all the Water is a problem though. I have a bladder control problem, and it makes it a little tough. Doc says that will lessen when I lose weight and there is not so much weight on my bladder from my stomach. I worry about the exercise as I have advanced arthritis in knees, back, hips and shoulders. that will limit me and I'm afraid that will set me up for failure. We'll see....

Ohhh Ive started the portion control too. And my daughter is having fits cause I made mashed potatoes last night and gave everyone a *Normal* Portion. And did not make enough for seconds. lol.

She has a weight problem too at 14. And no amount of my discussing it with her and nudging has gotten her to eat better.

I'm doing fine with it myself though. And in between if I need a snack I make me a bowl of salad. Curious to see at the next doctor visit how much weight a month of this will get rid of.

nah... i'm SURE raspberries are actually like negative calories!

I know this is a fact!! But only when they're in season.

I know this is a fact!! But only when they're in season.

Well, I took your word for it and ate almost the whole (large) container between yesterday and today.

Now, since they are a negative calorie source should I go weigh? As many as I ate I should have actually lost a pound or two, right?

definitely... maybe even 5 lbs!

definitely... maybe even 5 lbs!

HA! You know, I've been fretting over this one and I just couldn't bring myself to go and look it up. Finally did it.

A whopping 15 calories per ounce! The box is (um.. "was") 12 oz and so 6 oz a day was a huge scale tipping 90 calories daily.

I think I'll survive this one.

Serves me right to fret over this one for not looking it up BEFORE stuffing my face. :tea:

Just wanted to give you some encouragement about the no-cokes.

My biggest problem was Mt. Dew (not diet!).. I drank 12 cans at least a day.... that's more than I needed in food calories wise.. but I digress..

I went to my meeting with the doctor to find out more about the process, and they said you can't drink carbonated drinks anymore. I didn't know if I could do it. So THAT DAY (which ended up being 1 month pre-op, didn't know at the time), I gave up cokes (sodas/etc) cold turkey.

I had headaches.. but I did it. The first week was rough, combined with the fact I do not like Water..

But that was about 5 months ago, and I've not had one since. Even in the past when I dieted, I always allowed myself 1 mt. dew a day.

So this is the longest I've ever gone without it.

You can do it if I can! :tea:

I've been drinking adkins advantage shakes for breakfast.

I started walking yesterday.

I'm going to work out today as well.

I am really excited about my future banding.

Wow... No soda forever... Kudos to you for being able to do it, I am still doubtful that I can do it... I just LOVE my Winn-Dixie brand diet soda!

I quit diet soda cold turkey about 2 weeks ago and now I can't even look at can of soda without feeling gassy and gross. I thought that would be the worst thing to give up (which is why I started early), but it's turned out to be pretty easy.

I guess something about banding that I am worried about is all that chewing... I would just feel ridiculous I think... I have tried chewing things until they are a total paste, and it's just so weird to me!