I'll be the first to confess that I am not the model LapBander. For the most part (about 95% of the time) I have lived by the Golden Rules of an ideal LapBand Lifestyle...............However, I have gone astray on occasion. Here are the top 5 of my personal LapBand sins that I have been guilty of: What are y'alls (Texan Talk)?

1. drink liquids with meals

2. eat way too fast

3. drink an occasional diet coke

4. chew gum

5. eat beyond the first feelings of fullness

Alrighty then, my no, no's are:

- Drink White (our vodka) & Club soda at least twice a week

- No Exercise (keep starting and stopping)

- Eat Bread (because I can)

- Depend On the Band Too Much (just started accepting that fact)

- Make bad choices all the time

1. drinking with meals, chewing gum, not eating protien first, eating late at night.not exercizing, its not easy is it.

Today I'm 4 weeks and 1 day post-op. I made an "executive" decision to start eating soft foods today. I can't stand the thought of one more liquid meal! I ate at Arby's today, just the deli meat, and didn't feel one bit guilty about it. In fact, it was the first time I have felt even remotely satisfied by food in the last 4 weeks. I'm supposed to be on hard solids starting next Monday. There seems to be no transition period.

My plan is to continue to eat soft foods this entire week!