k8bwalsh

I love my coke. Like you, full sugar, full caffeine, the whole nine yards!! I also hated coffee! (I just started drinking it less than a year ago - the flavored ones - but that's neither here nor there.) But a couple of years ago, I started switching from coke to diet iced tea. I started with Crystal Light, but then I started buying the pre-made Lipton in the gallon jugs. Now I really like Turkey Hill brand. When I was in FL, I bought Diet Sweet Tea in the gallon jug - it was surprisingly really good!! (I'm not normally a sweet tea drinker, so it might be different if you like that to begin with.) But they don't sell diet sweet tea up here in the Philadelphia area. Maybe they sell that in your area? I suggest experimenting with the different diet iced teas to find one you like. I was drinking soda only when we went to a restaurant. But that gradually switched to unsweetened tea as well. Maybe these strategies will work for you, too. My surgery is 1/26, and I bought my first coke in a long time the other day, thinking it'll be the last chance I get to 'enjoy' drinking it without feeling uncomfortable from the carbonation!! I will probably buy a couple more this week, but I start my pre-op diet on Friday b/4 my surgery. I will miss my cokes, but as I have been gradually reducing them over the past couple years, it's been a little easier that way, I think. I just keep thinking I've already had my lifetime share of coke!! haha!! Anyway, hope that helps & Good Luck!!

Hi Scared Skinny! Love your name!! I'm getting sleeved 1/26 also!! But I'm in Philadelphia area.... Good Luck!! k8

Great question! My surgery is in 3 weeks and I had been wondering the same thing.... Thanks for posting it!

My surgery is in 3 weeks. I look forward to reading about your progress & hope I am successful right along with you!!

Great List! Really got me thinking.... I'm having surgery Jan 26th, and here's what I am most looking forward to: 10: Wrapping a regular size towel around me after I shower. Not a bath sheet! Just a regular towel. 9: Putting my 'skinny' rings on again. I miss them, especially my thumb ring. 8: Being able to tie my sneakers without getting out of breath from leaning over. 7: Being able to go on a roller coaster with my children (ages 8 & 5). 6: Feeling confident going for a walk on the beach without hiding under a big t-shirt and shorts. I haven't worn a bikini since I was 4. I'll be just as happy to wear a tank-ini! 5: Joining exercise classes. I've especially always wanted to joing a swimming aerobics class. I just know I'll love it, but have always been too embarrassed. 4: Going for a bike ride with my children around the neighborhood without my fat a$$ falling asleep because it's hanging over the teeny-tiny seat. 3: Being able to slide into any booth in any restaurant. 2: Buying a watch or a bracelet without trying it on first! 1: Not having the feeling that I'm going to break the chair during my kindergartners parent-teacher conferences when they make me sit in his seat! Goodness! I can probably think of 10 more given enough time!! Thanks for the idea!

Hi Abbey. I love the Beatles, too I have not read too many with around my same starting weight.... Like you, I have also reached my highest weight ever and am unbelievably over 300! I began this process about 6 months ago, weighing around 285 - then I quit smoking 3 months ago in preparation for surgery (& lets face it, a multitude of other reasons for quitting) and wound up gaining about 25 MORE pounds on top of it!! (Figure it'll come off faster since it's new weight **fingers crossed**) I'm glad to hear to you did so well and how fast you lost. I've mentally prepared myself that it is not going to come off as fast as some of the other surgeries, but that's what (I think) I want. I was hoping for less sagging and stretch marks? (As compared to the gastric bypass and duodenal switch, which a couple of my friends have had.) My surgery is scheduled for January 26, 2011. I hope to do as well as you have done!! I look forward to getting into an exercise mind-set again, as this excess weight seems to have stifled my exercise tendencies! Thanks for sharing

I'm excited about January also!! I'm having it done on the 26th. Nervous, scared, excited, relieved. Glad we can be there to support each other!

Brand new to this site... My surgery is Jan. 26th! Emotional mess!! Excited, nervous, scared, happy. Looking forward to having off from work