Finally, I am having my surgery on 9/16! This site is wonderful!! It is really making me feel confident about this decision.

I only have 72 pounds to lose, but I do have severe arthritis now and high blood pressure. I have a 10 month old son and I really want to be around to watch him grow up, not to mention the fact that I would like to give him a little brother or sister in a few years without risking my life at such a heavy weight.

The only concern I have, which is really insignificant in the grand scheme of things, is what I have read and been told about carbonated drinks. My husband and I are beer snobs (you know, like wine snobs but we love beer). I am not a heavy beer drinker- just the opposite, I taste and sip very small quantities of micro-brews. I rarely, if ever, even finish one beer. Does this surgery mean I have to give up my beloved beer forever?? Obviously, I have made the decision to do so if I have to, but I will be very sad :think

I've been thinking about lots of stuff like this, particularly bread. But in the end I've decided what's bread compared to not having this weight problem anymore.

I am REALLY concerned about many healthy foods though. Things like red meat, pineapple and lettuce. Lettuce is the one that really gets to me. Never eat a tossed salad again? I really cant imagine that. It sounds strange, but most junk food is completely expendable to me, I know its no good for me and I have no qualms about letting it go. But I cannot imagine my life without salad.

I think what I want to be able to do is pare down my diet back to the basics - my meals are healthy. Its all the rubbish that follows them that needs to go. But I dont want to have to change the basic way I eat, which is actually pretty good.

Congrats on you surgery date! I am going in on 9/12. I am a diet coke junkie and have just about given it up (down to 2-3 a week). Inamed recomends no carbonation, most doctors do also but I have read posts from bandsters that have tried it and have no problems. Where you are talking infrequent, small quantities you may be able to get away with it - It depends on how much your willing to risk.

I have noticed thought that a nice fresh micro brew doesn't seem to be as carbonated as say canned soda. DH and I were up in Maine this summer and toured Atlantic Brewing in Bar Harbor - they have a wonderful blueberry beer and one that is made with honey and has 12% abv. It was a good time.

Good luck with your surgery,