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Congratulations on this big decision. I just got my surgery date: 11/05 -- maybe we will be November Bandsters together. Actually I am hoping they will call and move me up -- I feel so ready! Sounds like you are quite the cook. I love to cook for our family, gatherings, the freezer -- you name it. Volume cooking -- the kind that takes hours and messes up the entire kitchen. Our son is turning into quite the cook, too. I plan to just keep at it as for me it's not really about me eating it in the end, it's the act of cooking itself that I really love. And I'll still be able to have my cup of whatever. Meanwhile, I've also been wondering a bit about Thanksgiving. If I am banded 11/5 with a week of liquids and a week of mushies I will just be back to "regular" food for that holiday. Could be a good lesson in what the future will be like for me. Very small portions, chewing, chewing, chewing -- making sure everything is cut up into teeny-tiny pieces. Since I'm not telling every one about band it will be a social challenge as well. May as well get it over with! Good luck to you!

You sound motivated and realistic about the challenges..family and social events take planning and committment to your purpose. YOu can do this..you will be happy to know, that for me..adding bbq to my food in small quantities has helped the food go down better! deb

Good luck and hope all goes well. Please keep us posted.

II have not had the sleeve surgery yet..scheduled nov 14.. However, the addiction part is a big worrisome . I have to expect that the sleeve won't take away my addiction.. May curtail it for a while. That is why I will start seeing a food addiction psychologist before and after my surgery. I will need that one on one support to deal with the addiction for the long run. You may want to consider getting additional support to lose your extra pounds. In your area is there post baractric sppport groups, or small discussion groups to help you. You have come a long way..and congrats. But you can do it.. Believe in yourself that you I will lose those extra pounds.

We LOVE old cartoons in this house and my 6 year old has become a fanatic too! We have bugs bunny, daffy duck, taz and marvin the martian artwork throughout our house! Right on the wall next to me now is the speechless print you were talking about above...a gift to my hubby...love that one two. Was sad when all the warner brother stores closed....hard to find good artwork now.... Nothing like snuggling on the couch with my little guy (and big guy too) watching old cartoons...my son knows its channel 126 in NY....thats the Boomerang station. Ahhh....the good ole days!

I always have problems with lettuce. I know it is soft and it should go down but some of my worst stuck episodes have been when eating some type of leafy green veggie. My theory, which may be wrong is that even though I think I chew i feel it must slip down partially unchewed and lay over the opening of my band causing me to be stuck. Sounds good in theory. Some of the dishes you are eating are more difficult to digest, pasta, lettuce, salads, cereals. If I may make a suggestion, stick to simple cooked soft proteins. Fish is a moist soft protein that is easy to digest and packed full of protein and oils that are good for you. There are also some other cooking methods that will allow you to eat chicken and some of the other proteins and this will make them easier to digest. One method is to seal your meal in pouch, vacuum and cook the meal in boiling water, this method is called Sous-vide. It may sound like a lot of trouble but it works and the food is moist and delicious. Also another method to tenderize meats is an old Chinese method using baking soda. The baking soda will give the meat an almost silky texture and make it so tender and much easier to digest. I realize that this may sound like a lot of work but learning to live with lap band requires a life style change. I am 3 years post op and have worked through many tight episodes during this journey. Many of my problems were not my bands fault but mine for making poor choices and finally learning that I needed to make this work. I was determined to make this my life and make it work for me and my family. I cook wonderful meals that most would think, you can't eat that, you have a lap band. But you know what I can and do eat most anything I want but some days, I have to remind my self to slow down, chew and spend a few days in the penalty box for not following the rules and drink my protein. So rethink what choices you have been making and stick to basics for a while. Good luck and I hope your journey is successful. Also, never feel stupid.. this is a learning curve and we all learn everyday even 3 years out. http://www.ehow.com/how_5560702_tenderize-meat-baking-soda.html

Wow! You are amazing! I hope the day will come for me, too, when I can weigh less than 200, bicycle and walk the dogs like you, and feel confident enough to go to a reunion. Maybe your body is saying, stop and look at me, I rock!

It's just a part of being human. I do the same things to myself, We know ourselves better than anyone and it takes time to be happy with ourselves. Just try and remember all your positive accomplishments and not let the fact that a few numbers on a scale ruin your entire weight loss journey. A 110 lbs is not easy to lose at all. Your doing great,and looking good just go easy on yourself (: