I met with my Dr. at the VA Hospital yesterday and received the good news that Lap Band Surgery will become available at this facility in April or May. I will be given an opportunity to be a candidate for the procedure if I meet certain criteria, the first of which is to lose 5% of my current weight which is 333 lbs during the next 6 months. I know I can do this, I have in the past. There are other criteria that are probably not unlike what most of you have been through, i.e. meetings with shrinks, dieticians and physical therapy. While I am excited about the prospect of LBS I just wonder what I am going to do with my love affair with food, the buying, cooking, inviting folks over and the over indulging? I just hope and pray that I can learn to be happy with a few bites of this and that and not feel the need to over indulge. Talk to me if you have had similar concerns about leaving your past relationship with food. Thanks, art, a friend of Jesus.

If feel sure you can do this -- or, put another way, if I can do this, ANYONE can! :cursing: I am three weeks post surgery and find all is going well. I have also had to deal with the "growling stomach" syndrome (see a previous post) but every day it seems to get better. I just ate a very very smal bowl of mashed potatoes [made with Smart Balance butter substitute and Milk-Plus (high protein) milk] and not only was I full, it tasted better than ANY mashed potatoes I've ever had.

This is not to say it has been or will be a complete 'bed of roses" -- but you seemed determined, you seem to have a religion to rely on, and now you also have members of this chat room for support. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!! :tongue: