I'm new here and just posted my first blog...I'm excited to be here and to meet everyone. I have a great group of women that just finished a 14 week Healthy Lifestyles class at Kaiser (something I highly recommend...non members can join the class as well...great class and you make a great network of friends in the same "boat") and am looking forward to making new friends here as well.

Daren

Welcome Daren, I read your blog and I am touched by your story. You are doing very well with your weight loss. Are you banded yet or planning to be? I am glad you found this site since you'll find a wealth of information here. Good luck on your continued journey.

Welcome! What part of CA are you in? (You don't have to be specific if you don't want to. It's only for my curiosity!)

I'm Kaiser too and just had my surgery 6 weeks ago. Best wishes for your process!

Thank you for letting me know that someone actually read my post...It was nice to "tell my story". I look forward to reading more stories here and sharing more of my own.

I have not been banded but am hoping to be by the end of the year. Just went on a 5 day holiday to see my best friend who I've been eating with for 20+ years. Already learning to adjust to not having so much when I'm not with my family. They have already adjusted to my changes so far but it was new for my friend. It's been interesting to see the reactions you get from wait staff when you tell them that you don't need anything to drink with you meal...or before it. They always want to bring you Water or something "just in case". I always have to have them take it away because so far that has been the biggest adjustment for me...I'm really not a huge eater in the first place so smaller portions isn't too difficult (though I have been known, when completely bored to polish off an entire bag of Ruffles!!! lol) but drinking is the hardest so far. I'm sure I'll have other challenges ahead.

Thanks again,

Daren :crying:

I am from Northern California and will be going to South San Francisco for my procedure. I was pleased to see that after my 5 day holiday I hadn't gained any weight...my friend and I also went on a cruise in August and THAT was my biggest test to see if I could stick to the "diet" that they prescribed for me at the beginning of August. Not too bad...didn't lose anything on the cruise...but didn't gain anything either...I figure I broke even so it was a wash...lol My friend and I have gone through husbands and children and divorces (non recently thankfully) together and have always found solice in our bread and brie days...alas...no more of those. I think I will miss the french bread most of all...but if I can stop smoking (9 years ago) then I can live without french bread and brie and be a better person for it...or so I keep telling myself...though I did find out recently that after you are released for "real" food you are allowed to have small quantities of well toasted bread...half a piece would do me just fine...knowing I don't have to go complete without forever makes it a lot easier. I can handle a little bit but NEVER I don't think would happen.