Hey all, Like the great Terrell Owens once said "I love me some me."

That pretty much sums me up, so writing this intro will be fun.

In 29 years I've managed to see and do many things. I've lived in the projects, and in a couple of trailer parks... I've started and grown my own business (Ice cream trucks--probably responsible for at least 20 lbs of me)-- Have driven across the USA twice. 2nd in my extended family to graduate college. 1st with a graduate/professional degree (Pitt Law '07).

I've been everything from a garbage man to a "rave" promoter. (ravers hate the word rave, we just say "party").

I've been married for going on 7 years to the best girl in the world. I've played football, rugby and indoor soccer competitively (high school, college club and intramural).

My band goes in thursday, may 14th. Dr. Quinlin in Pittsburgh will be doing the surgery. The liquid diet is leading me to consider eating one and/or both of my cats.

Developing sleep apnea is what did it for me---a signal of my mortality, and the fact that if I don't take the weight off... it'll start impacting my health--- That's why I'm doing it.

Dang! You've done it all! Well here's to a new adventure for you! Welcome and good luck. You will feel awesome after your band is in and you are back to eating regular foods.

Good luck on Thursday, Frank, and try not to eat your cats!!!!

Good luck to you! Please keep us posted on your progress and how the surgery goes.

And please, leave the cats until harder times.

Yes, the liquid diet is a killer!!! But it is well worth it so stay focused on why you're doing it. I lost 18 pounds on the liquid diet alone! By the way are you a wrestling fan? The big show is why i ask.

Thanks, all. I'm only a day away now... My dietician cleared me for four ounces of chicken breast, which is broiling now...

some people say they weren't very hungry after the 1st couple days... for me---that has not been the case. I've been lifting for a while, too... and maybe continuing to lift during the liquid diet phase wasn't the smartest thing, as far as hunger goes...

plus I've gone lower carb than suggested... they told us high Protein boost or ensure 3 times a day---that is only 45g of protein and over 100g of carbs, I've gone with supplements (EAS, muscle milk and a powdered protein w/skim milk) that give me about 70g of protein and only around 50g of carbs a day... figuring that they said high protein/low carb)

losing the weight is going to be pretty kickass, I'd like to be able to ply sports again on some level, even if it's just finding a few over 30 "old man" leagues about a year from now...

and yeah, Jul, I am a little bit of a wrestling fan, though over the last 5 years, my interest in it has dropped off some.