KBKB

Went to North Metro Medical Center at Jacksonville, Ark., at 7:00 a.m. Was in operating room at 8:45 and out the door headed home at noon. Dr. Rex Luttrell is a kind and gentle man, and he's also a really good surgeon. I did my homework on him and others in the greater Little Rock area. No issues getting up right after surgery and making many laps up and down the hall (leaning on my wife's shoulder). Had some discomfort with the gas in my shoulder and taking deeper breaths, but it's already gotten better over just the 7 1/2 hours I've been home. Absolutely no pain from my incisions -- yet. Figuring they'll wake up tomorrow. Told only family and two friends before the fact but about 15 friends via an e-mail after the fact and support/encouragement/understanding have been unanimous. I have lost 80-125 pounds through Weight Watchers once and on a medically supervised liquid supplement diet twice, but always regained. Was 396.6 pounds two weeks ago today. Post-op diet left me at 377.8 this morning, and I am headed for 250. The band is a tool I will use to help me lose weight and keep it off. I am 100 percent committed to following the rules, not cheating the band and getting back into a steady walking regimen, which my wife and I have done well at many times (but not lately). None of us has any guarantees in life, but I like my chances of living longer at 250 pounds than 400. Haven't posted much here but have read a lot. Thanks to everyone for sharing advice, thoughts, fears, etc. As I said to my niece in an e-mail today ... YEA ME!

My doctor says soft drinks, beer and any other carbonated beverages will be a thing of the past for me after lap-band surgery. Anyone hear that from their doctor and do you know why that is?

January 20 in Little Rock, AR. Can't get here too soon!

I began my two-week pre-op diet today and am committed to staying with that plan until my surgery on Jan. 20. I am a 51-year-old man who has been a very successful weight loser during my adult life but an even better weight gainer. Gained 80 pounds in college and have lost: 75 pounds in 1887, 95 pounds in 2002, 123 pounds in 2004-2005 and 50 pounds or so more times than I can count. I hate that I can't succeed at something 80-90 percent of people can: managing my weight in a reasonable range. But I also think it is naive and even foolish to think the next time will be the time I keep the weight off. So I'm having lap band surgery, understanding that is only a tool to make it easier for me to lose weight and keep it off. I am not exactly "excited" about it, but I know it's the next logical step, and I want to give myself a better chance to live longer. I love life, I love my wife, I have great friends and family. But I weigh nearly 400 pounds and I don't see a lot of 400-pound 75-year-olds out there. So I'm going to give this a shot. I have already been trying to think of things that will be good foods for me once I'm back on solids -- eggs, soft beans/peas, maybe tuna salad, stuff that is high in Protein and already somewhat "pre-chewed" in texture. But I could use advice from those of you who've been through this -- advice on food and do's/don'ts. Thanks.