Vicki M

Hello, My name is Vicki. I just got the band 2 days ago. I checked this board right before my surgery but didn't see anyone sign up for January 2011. I'm guessing there are more out there than just me or perhaps you can guide me to the right place to get in touch with other "newbies". There are no support groups anywhere near where I live so am pretty dependant on the online stuff. Looking forward to hearing from others. Thanks, Vicki

Well, 10 days in and it just happened. Ate my fish and potato to fast and probably too big a portion. It's amazing how descriptive the word "slime" actually is. I had no doubt about what happened. I'm still a little uncomfortable...feel over full. Will try to avoid that in the future for sure!

Wow! Good luck!

Diet Peach Tea (Crystal light or store brand)

Well, I'm getting the band next Tuesday. I haven't been to the fourm before, probably not wisely. I have read several books about it. I started in October and am self pay. I've had a lot of treatment for the emotional side of my eating and have been pretty much past that. I just love food. For 5 years I was in OA and did nothing but the program, diet and exercise for the first one. I lost weight for the first 8 months and maintained for the next 4 years. Gradually, I began eating more. My portions got to be outrageous. I didn't graze or eat all day long. Sometimes I just ate once a day. Conventional diet and exercise and the thought of more yo yoing made me crazy. It seems like it would take me forever to lose the 150 or so (depending on who you ask) pounds that I could lose to get to my ideal weight. I just want a leg up, if you will. I need an extra tool that will help it seem less impossible. So I went to a Doctor in Atlanta, about 2 hours from where I live. Due to my past counseling (and I am a licensed counselor myself, as an aside) he wanted me to get a psychological. I did and everything was fine. I decided to wait until January because I made the decision rather quickly (not that I hadn't thought about it for a long time) and, frankly, wanted to go through the holidays as "normal" as possible. The new year just seemed like a good start to things and I'm not one to make resolutions or start dieting in the new year. Well the doctor's office calls me last monday, one week before my pre-op. The woman is very nice. We go over everything and she says, "be sure not to gain any weight this week because the doctor has been known to cancel surgeries if he thinks the patient is not committed. Great time to tell me! They didn't tell me anything at the first appointment, nor did they tell me to diet beforehand. At least until the preop diet this week which is not liquid as I have been seeing several people describe but high Protein, low fat and low carb. Also I'm supposed to drink a lot of non-caffinated liquids. I don't really know if I've gained weight or not. My clothes fit the same but I've never been a weigher so I have no reference point here in my home. Guess I'll see what happens Monday. It would really, really suck to get there and be told I can't do it. Regardless, I'm feeling really committed now. I've been doing very well with this diet and practicing chewing lots and lots. I am actually finding that I am registering feeling full long before I would have when was not slowing down. Whatever happens Monday I'm glad it's started. Of course, I'd rather just get the band Tuesday than get postponed. Anyway, I just wanted to post a little here I guess kind of as an introduction. I'm 43 and live in North Georgia. I know when I had the most success with adapting a healthy lifestyle which included losing weight I had a very strong support group. There are no band support groups near where I live so I am very greatful to find this forum. I look forward to reading and posting more.

Hey, good luck. I'm getting mine Tuesday too. I also just joined the forum today. It sort of hasn't been real until the last week. Needless to say, I don't have any suggestions.