I'm new here, and quite excited about my consultation on Monday! I really don't want to be denied by my insurance company, that would be crushing.

Ready to loose the pounds, but I put my goal weight at 200 so that I can celebrate that victory and keep going. Internally, I'm asking a few questions that I don't want to admit I already know the answer to:

1) Will I miss Champagne and sweet potatoes? Glad it's holiday season.

2) If I can only eat a little bit of food, why can't it be chcolate and pizza and a vitamin?

3) Will all-inclusive vacations be worth it anymore? Were they ever?

4) How do I explain when people ask me how I'm loosing weight? or why I'm not eating?

Keep me in your prayers!:huh2:

WELCOME! You'll love the site and everyone on it. This site has talked me off the ledge many times. Welcome home.

To answer your questions......we can eat sweet potatoes, they actually want us to eat those rather than regular potatoes cuz they're better for us. Champagne, don't know about that one. Each doctor and each patient are totally different. Some docs (mine for instance) say no carbonated drinks, others give you a waiting period. That just depends on what they tell you. You could eat chocolate and pizza I suppose if you wanted to. You might find it hard to eat bread, some bandsters have issues with it some don't. My mom is banded as well and she can eat bread. I can't. I can't even eat anything that resembles bread (ie, cake, very soft cookies, muffins, doghnuts, tortillas, you get the idea). Just remember that the goal of the band is make it work with you, not for you. You'll eventually get to the point you can eat almost anything you want, just in moderation. I think vacations are more worth it now with the band. I look better, feel better, and have so much more energy to do stuff. Instead of loping around the hotell all day when I can do that at home. For free. lol When people ask you why you're losing weight you can be honest with them if you want. They'll find out soon enough anyway. However, I didn't tell most of my family untill I had already done it. Didn't want them to try to talk me out of having it. Which wouldn't have happened, but could have caused tension so I just skipped it all together. There will come a time when people are much more interested in what/how much you're eating and how much weight you've lost than they should be. Tell them not to do that. In my opinion it creates a stigma about us (bandsters) that I don't like and is untrue. Tell them you're the same person you've always been, just healthier.

The band works if you let it. If you listen to it and your doctors and if you trust it to help you. I was banded on June 16th of this year and I've lost 40 pounds. I never have, nor will I ever regret it. It's changed my life.

Hope this helps, sorry it was so long. Feel free to get in touch with me, we're all friends here. Good luck.

Hi, I'm new here and won't be banded until January or February but I can answer these :huh2:

1. Sweet potatoes are a vegetable and not necessarily bad if eaten in moderation.

2. Chocolate and pizza can be healthy using the right ingredients and eaten in moderation.

3. Don't laugh, I have been thinking about this one for weeks. I love Aruba!

4. You tell them the truth or that it is none of their business. You aren't obligated to tell anyone anything.

Another good answer is "I'm eating less and exercising more." Its the truth and nothing further is needed.If you are the kind of person who gets their feelings hurt by peoples shameless comments...don't tell people about the band. If you're pretty tough and remarks roll off you, go ahead and tell. You'll get a lot of info here but you will prob also see some people telling some really negative remarks that have been made to them...I didnt really tell anyone because I dont want to have to explain the whole thing to people who dont know...I have lost weight kind of slowly so no one is suspicious.Bottom line, its personal, its medical, and its no one's biz But you will get lots of support here...welcome!!