Terry Poperszky

Not a problem, that happens anyway with Testosterone prescriptions.

Sat down for dinner tonight, started eating and trying to go slow but it just wasn't working. Still moving it in too fast. I downloaded an app called "eat slower" and set it for 90 seconds, chewed for 30 seconds, set the fork down for 60 seconds. While the food was in my mouth, I focused on it, the flavor and the texture. During the 60 seconds, I read. With each bite I listened for the voice of Mistress Band, until I finally heard it. Looked down into my bowl and about 25% of the meal was still there, I thought about last night, and set my fork down, plastic wrapped the bowl and put it in the fridge. I realized something tonight, I have been interpreting a small pain/ache as the full point, but I was wrong. That and the hiccuping were actually the second signals, the first was much more subtle. BUT I HEARD IT! and I stopped, and I am satisfied. I also realized if I continue to eat like this I can stop being fat. For those of you having trouble slowing your eating down, try looking at the "eat slower" app.

What you are discribing (in explicit detail) is an enlarged prostate, not a testosterone problem. Welcome to being a male.

Ok, I am enjoying the same meal I had last night but.... 1. I thinned it down a bit. 2. I only have my correct amount in the building. 3. I am eating very slowly, putting the spoon down and doing something else for a while between bites. 4. I am Thinking about the food while it is in my mouth, savoring the flavors and textures. 5. I am listening for the voice of Mistress Band. Thank you Mistress Band for letting me enjoy my lunch, I will be good

My pre--op diet had two requirements: 1. Protein shake for Breakfast 2. Calorie goal between 800 - 960 daily intake.

I read about using chopsticks, and as soon as I hit the solid food phase I am going to try that. I will definitely feel more manly whipping out a pair of chopsticks than a baby fork at my desk at work.

Because you haven't looked long enough. It isn't that there aren't male success stories, IMHO it is because there are fewer males who get the surgery, and/or choose to share in this fashion. If you were to go to a Weight Watchers forum, you would see similar ratios. Why is that? HECKIFIKNOW, maybe our male pride "Of I can do it on my own" precludes us from seeking help. I know that I did not turn to WLS until I reached a point of abject failure with my weight. But, I am here now, I am loosing weight, I will continue to enjoy food, but I will no longer let it rule my life. Between a change in lifestyle, and the help of my band ("The Dominatrix") I have hope in this area for the first time in years.

Oh, Newme I did this alright. But it wasn't until it had happened I realized why I had done what I had done. I shared it in a humorous way because what I did, I am sure every new bandster has done and I wanted to help those who have just been banded understand the ramifications and dangers of not paying attention to the voice of the band and I need to be able to laugh at my self and my mistakes.

Honor your Grandmother, do what is right, but realize this is not a normal time.

Easier question is "Did anyone NOT get cranky"

I told very very few people before hand and was extremely happy about it. Everyone has an opinion, and what I have learned on here, especially people who have had another form of WLS are eager to convert you to validate their own decision. If that person choose GB, which is inherently riskier, then you choosing the band casts doubt on their decision. Do you own research, make up your own mind, be your own person. Afterward, I don't care who knows. If they have the balls to criticize me to my face for my decision, I will be more than happy to remove those balls and stuff them in their back pocket

That's the thing I don't know. But I have my level's checked again in March at my yearly physical, I guess I will find out then.

I was spooked by the pre-diet as well, but I took it as a trial by fire. How in the heck was I going to make the life adjustments that I had to make to be successful, if I couldn't go a couple of weeks on a extremely reduced calorie eating plan. If I couldn't do that, I really needed to rethink letting them poke holes in me. i'm on the other side now and my nurse was correct, the pre-op diet not only shrank the fat in my liver, it gave me the proper mindset to start to learn to live with my band.

BTW, scale moved today. 2 pounds down. The first of many mini plateaus

If I can stop shoveling the food in, I loose weight quickly. But historically, I also loose in spurts. I just found it interesting that this is also happening with the band, though it makes sense. The band isn't going to change how we loose weight, as far as I can figure it, it helps with the "shoveling food in" part. The real fun for me will come in a couple of months when it is warm enough to start cycling again, as I start training to do a Century in the fall, my weight will bounce all over the place as I spend more and more time on my bike. When I train heavily, I put on muscle, retain Water and see weight gains for weeks at a time to see 10 pounds drop in a week. It is a real "E" ticket ride.

Normal day, no problem. I do eat at my desk, but I am my group is the equivalent of IT firefighters. If is is broken and and reaches us, then it is bad and we have to drop what ever we are doing and focus on getting the issue fixed. That and attending meetings that the CIO has assigned to me, as well as meetings with vendors. Throw in an adult daughter with the flu and a run across town to take my granddaughter to school and pick her up afterwards. I didn't even see my desk until 12:00 and by then I just wanted to pour my lunch down my throat and move on. Thankfully when last night I was able to mellow out and enjoy a nice slow dinner.

Made chili for the family, pureed a cup for myself and I should have done it before the hamburger was added. Very, very gritty. Chicken on the other hand has pureed nicely in my soups. Anyone know if beef in another form does the same thing?

And your Dr says?

I don't have an option after the hiccups start there isn't a darn thing I can do except give up. And yes, the band wins every time, if I don't have enough time to eat, then I don't eat, rushing is not an option. I need to keep some energy gels in my desk to keep my blood sugar up though.

800 - 960 based on my BMI of 40. And I wasn't advised, I was told.

If you were going to get ink poisoning it would happen at the time of tattooing I personally would wait until after the surgery, finding the port shouldn't be a problem.

Congrats, this was a freebie that my Dr. through in as well, I haven't had to take my previcid since the surger.

Excellent

Congrats!

Dietary instructions now say if I can drink it through a straw, go for it! I bought a can of chicken and rice tortilla soup, threw it into the blender with a couple of springs of fresh cilantro, and a spoonful of hot salsa and pureed it. Poured a 1/2 cup and I am in heaven! I have missed spices soooo much. Now to wait and see how my stomach likes it. Tomorrow, homemade refritos thinned with chicken broth.