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Jeff, You are truly an inspiration man. I am going to Dr. Wright with True Results here in San Antonio. My wife got the surgery about a year ago. I want to thank you for sharing as you have. I have learned a lot from you. John

Lionbird, Your post sounds like the rationalization of an addict. The health benefits greatly outweigh these things. Besides who will take care of your kids if you end up with heart disease and take a turn for the worse? Didn't want to sound harsh but that's the way I see it.

Here in San Antonio it is $9,888 and includes a year of aftercare. Price really depends on where you are.

Absolutely awesome!! Keep up the good work! How many lbs down at 4 month mark?

Don't be afraid to call and ask your surgeon questions. They are there to help you. Other than that I don't really have much to add in the subject. Please keep us posted on your situation though.

I am to be banded on the 20th. I understand this totally. I have been over 200 lbs since middle school and hit 335lbs at my heaviest. There is something wrong with my mind. In my mind I am "used to" being a big person. I know my weight is a problem even if I am "big boned" or "muscular". I have always been the big strong guy that everyone relies on to take on big tasks, kinda like an elephant moving logs. The big strong guy complex is something huge to get over. I feel that in my new life (post banding) near my goal weight I will be that freaky skinny dude that's athletic and stronger than you would ever think!! This makes me want to find pics near my heaviest to base my journey on!

Going to be kinda blunt on this opinion.... All I have to say is that if your "friends" can't be happy for you deciding to live the rest of your life rather than die a slow painful death due to the complications of obesity..... Well, then they aren't "friends". You need to sit them down and make it very clear to them how you feel and what your reasoning is behind getting the WLS. Either explaining the medical side or emotional or both, they need to understand. At this point you can sneek in that you want/need their support and don't care if you have to be with them while they eat. You will probably influence them for the better, people usually make better choices when around someone trying to be healthy. If that doesn't work, go to local support groups for WLS and pick up a few new friends that know exactly what you are going through. There is a lot of common ground there we don't realize. I too will have some type of problems with people close to me over the WLS stigma. I only hope I get supportive reactions from them. Good luck!

The shoulder pain, like said above is due to leftover CO2 gas from the surgery that in turn push on the diaphragm. Apparently the nerves are connected to your shoulder areas. Making yourself move, burping, farting, and gas-x are the only way for sure to relieve the discomfort. Probably redundant but I had to post it.

I just looked at my post-op diet instructions for days 6-10, sliders/full liquids 3 meals a day at 4-8oz each. Also states to take extra time to evaluate if a new food is tolerable. BTW, I like your style. You are a very funny person!

Your pre-op diet sounds way better than mine! I think it's 2 weeks of liquids only in order to break the initial food addiction. They say it takes 2 weeks to get rid of a habit. Good luck on your journey!!

You should have a talk with your dietitian or whoever is in the surgeons office and ask them. Personally I believe if you are tired you aren't getting enough Protein. The pre-op diet is there to limit carbs and fat from your intake and make it primarily protein, which will give you a good amount of energy to function. This in turn will help lean your liver for surgery. But like I said, ask the professional before doing anything against their original instructions.

You can do this!! I have been reading, reading, and reading the past week. You know what I came up with? The band won't fail you unless you have another medical problem that interferes. This is one of those things that you have to say "I am worth it, my health is worth it, I am going to do it!!!". The basics: Read and follow the directions, follow instruction from your surgeon and nurses, and you will succeed. You will not fail the band. You have loads of people here that in your time of need believe that you can succeed! I have freaked out too. I just think to myself," if I was at my heaviest weight right now, I would be nice insulin ". I heard that from my endocrinologist 3 days ago, it opened my eyes and made me see. My daughters need me to be there in their time of need when they are older. I want to be there when my grandchildren are running around. If I continue on my current path I might not see my oldest daughter graduate high school. It's time for a change and we all deserve this chance given to us!! I have also learned that the money thing is irrelevant. If the money is there and you have the ability to change you for the better, it will work out in the long run. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

When was your last fill? Have you been sick with a cold or flu? I ask this because my wife had problems when sick, mucus really effects the operation of the band and kind of makes the restriction effect more. Her nurse told her to come in if she feels like she nude getting sick now order to perform a de-fill. Then once better do a re-fill. The other thing us you could have had too big of a fill or you aren't chewing completely, or too big bites, or even wrong foods. It's worth calling your doctor about.

72lbs from heaviest and not banded yet, we will see where this takes me soon!

Truly inspired by you guys! Congrats on your successful journeys!

I'm on to be banded on the 20th. My dietitian told me about the "eat slower app" too and I believe it will be a great tool. I plan on using the smaller plates, and oyster forks. My wife religiously uses the egg timer.

I'm scheduled for the 20th as well. I want food soooo much!! I noticed it's not as bad when a work and busy. Being at home isn't helping at all. My pre-op is shakes and SF no calorie drinks, and 4-6oz of lean meat if I have to absolutely chew something. I am such a food addict, it's driving me nuts!

Funny thing is that I think I will be beneficial to her too. We have been through an emotional year last year and stress eating had been in the mix. We will be able to catch each other if we get out of hand.

Lol, after reading this I at least know a few things to be prepared for! I love the honesty here!

The caloric restrictions are a very good explanation. I learned this in basic physics: A calorie is the amount of energy needed to boil a certain amount of Water. (can't remember the exact measurement) Cold is the absence of energy (heat) Put the two together and it really makes sense! LOL.... I finally got to use something from that class I took over 10 years ago!!