Jonathan

Is there something we can do to make it fair? Multiply (or divide) my weightloss by some ratio? Maybe guys have to lose 3 lbs for every 2 the girls do? Or 2 for 1?

I'm in, if guys are allowed to join =) 12 lbs will put me under 300 for only the 2nd time in the past 13 years. I figure I'll have a pretty hard time until March 10th when I get my first fill, then I should be on track... Jonathan

I think most morbidly obese people would agree, on the surface, with the statement "I'm miserable because I'm fat". I also think most morbidly obese people would agree, after reflection, that the truth is, "I'm fat because I'm miserable". Or, optimistically, "I'm fat because I *was* miserable, and I developed eating and lifestyle habits that led me to where I am now." It feels kind of "cheap" telling my "story" in a post on a forum, because it took me over 3 years of therapy and a LOT of soul searching to understand why I am the way I am. And I'm not sure knowing has helped much. (In fact, in OA/AA programs they say, "Self knowledge avails us nothing." But that's a discussion for another post.) My mother abandoned me when I was 11 months old. I was adopted by WONDERFUL parents who gave me a far, far better life than I would have had. But I've come to realize that I developed a severe fear of abandonment, and for some reason, the emotional/physical "high" I got from eating abated that fear. Although I am at an age where fear of abandoment is irrational, I have not been able to overcome the eating habits I learned over the course of my life. Nor have I, as of yet (though I suspect I'm on my way, thanks to the band), been able to break my addiction to whatever physiological response my body goes through when I eat foods in large quantities. As far as your post, DeLarla, I'm with you in every way. My biological father is a non-functional alcoholic and my brother is bi-polar. I can only assume some mental disorder from the woman who left her 2 1/2 year old and 11 month old child and never looked back. And I do my food damage (even now) after 7 PM. I'm great during the day -- controlled, responsible. When night comes, all I want to do from dinner until the time I go to bed is eat. Jonathan

It's listed in my diet information as a "Stage One" food. (All of them are: water, tea, broth, gealtin, popsicles, juice, milk, coffee). I'm just wondering how soon you guys were able to eat Jello? I'm *finally* keeping down sips of broth, tea, and coffee. I'm not ready to try Jello yet, but I'm wondering when I should be so brave?

It could also be the 10cm 4cc band. There are 4 sizes of INAMED bands... 9.75 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, and "Vanguard". The 10 cm band is the most commonly used of the INAMED bands today (or, at least, my doctor tells me), and holds 4 cc's of saline. The 9.75 cm band also holds 4 cc of saline. The 11cm band holds 9 cc's of saline. The Vanguard band holds 10 cc's of saline. From what I can tell, the Vanguard band is normally used for those with BMI's of over 50.

Betty 54 Paula 43 Kelly 65 Becky 77 Carol 102 Alex 110 Nana 49 Rich 20 Larae 22 Maureen 73 Marie 56 Wyld Blu 73 Penni 54 Vera 60 Darcy 59 Kelly 39 michelle 135 mary 65.4 greg 77 Sharon 35 Tricia 60 Darcey 23 cindy 88 Melissa 39 Michelle 80 Jonathan 27 Lisa 70 Lauren 23 Babs in TX 150 Bright 82 Jamie 5 Megan 60 Katie 29 Bobby H. 46 Estela 23 Angela 37.5 Terri 43 Teresa 86 Kristie 187 Total 2426.9

Surgery went fine. Recovery was so rough, I wanted to die. Only three weeks out -- but that seems like long ago. And now I feel great. When I felt that bad, I thought I'd made a mistake in getting this band. But now I eat out and don't embarass myself by eating too fast. I taste what I eat and chew food until it's gone and then I feel full. Although I know that the band is only a tool, it's a tool I need. I don't regret it. I did what I had to do; I'd do it again. Each day is a chance to live life to its fullest -- to improve myself. I have to thank God, not only for my new life, but for my new friends. LapBandTalk.com, you're more than just some forums, you're like family.

Losing weight is great! One thing makes my wife upset: I have lots of gas.

Betty 54 Paula 43 Kelly 65 Becky 77 Carol 102 Alex 110 Nana~49 Rich 20 Larae 22 Maureen 73 Marie 56 Wyld Blu 73 Penni 54 Vera 60 Darcy 59 Kelly 39 michelle 135 mary 65.4 greg 77 Sharon 35 Tricia 60 Darcey 23 cindy 88 Melissa 39 Michelle 80 Jonathan 27 Total 1585.40

I definitely want smaller boobs...

Hey guys, So, I realize that with the band, you're supposed to eat 3 meals a day and not snack between meals. Well, if I were good at that kinda thing, it's possible I might not have needed the band in the first place. =) I'm sure I'm not alone, and I'm sure many of you have found healthy Snacks that you can eat between meals and be just fine. So, what do you guys snack on? Fess up!

I love this site =) There's a support group in my area that meets once a month. Once a month? Whateva! I know a support site like this can't replace a doctor's advice, but we all know how hard doctors are to get a hold of. It's SO nice to be able to get a quick answer (or even search instead of post and get a QUICKER answer) when you're worried about something. And it's nice to have some place to "hang out" where you KNOW you won't be judged. I love you guys =) Jonathan

I've been getting the hiccups a lot lately. (At least they don't hurt anymore.) Anyone else have a higher rate of getting the hiccups, either right after being banded, or just with the band in *hic* general? Jonathan

Ok, you out-thought me. =) I still think you should do it =) I guess it all depends on how much excess skin you think you'll really get from going from 170 to 150 over the course of how ever long you expect that to take. I'll stick to my original statement anyway... you've earned it =)

How is that cheating? When you set your goal weight, did you say, "I want to be 170 lbs WITH 15 lbs of excess skin"? =) If losing 150 lbs doesn't earn you the right, losing 165 won't either Go for it, with PRIDE! =)

I think you'll have a very hard time getting unbiased advice on a support form that has one type of patient or the other -- including here. You're going to have to REALLY pay attention to the FACTS and trust your heart. Hopefully your fears about the band not working for someone "your size" are easily put to rest in the face of success stories found on this site alone. Bypass is, without a doubt (in my mind anyway), a "bigger" surgery. It changes your anatomy in a permanant way. I don't think that anyone who's done that would ever want to think and/or admit "I should have had lapband instead". But if you go there, ask them about it, and they say "Yes, you should have lapband", that's pretty much what they're having to do. My doctor does both procedures, and raves about the lapband. He says that the bypass is a wonderfull procedure for anyone who can't have lapband, or can't stand the thought of having a "foreign body" (the band) inside of them. I don't know what your insurance/doctor situation is, but if you can find a surgeon that does both and seek HIS advice, you'll be better off than asking us, or obesityhelp which procedure you should have. I just think we're all too close to the situation and too biased. =) That DOESN'T, of course, mean that you shouldn't ask question after question to both groups until you feel like you have a good understanding of both options. Don't lose yourself in the decision making process. The important thing is that you're making a decision. Bypass or Lapband, you'll change your life in the best physical way you can. Jonathan

Awesome idea. As for me, yesterday, it was definitely just the fish, no rice. And LOTS of wasabi. =)

It only happens to me when I eat. Probably related to the same thing others have said -- I ate one too many bites, or ate too fast. I used to always get hiccups eating fried rice... which I always ate too much of, too fast. =)

No, I'm MUCH better now, Sue. I posted somewhere about it =) Saturday I kept 12 ounces of tea down. Sunday I kept about 32 ounces. Yesterday I probably drank close to 80 ounces. Liquids are free flowing now, and mushies aren't giving me any trouble, as long as I go slowly =)

I had some for "breakfast" today. It is AWESOME. And I think about 140 calories. I REALLY like the Campbell's Soup-At-Hands!

Ahhh... I kinda thought that might be what you meant... I just wasn't sure. It makes sense. I think soup could get me into a lot of trouble... I *really* like good (fattening ) soups. I'll probably have to stay away from them once I can eat "real" food.

I'm doing great, now, Missy =) Thanks for thinking of me though! As someone in my mushies as well, I'm very curious about your comment... What kind of mushies are you eating? I had some mashed potatos today (delicious!) but they were "lumpy" (by desing, I guess) and more work than I thought they'd be. Although I'll probably get scolded for it by someone here (and deserve it ), I ate some avacados on clubhouse crackers, and found that the crackers went down more easily than the potatos did earlier in the day. (I think the wetness from the avacados helped, as well as lots and lots of chewing.) For the record, pickles aren't mushy. But that's another story. =) So after 2 weeks of liquids, they didn't think you were ready for mushies? That kind of scares me, since I'm 1 week post-op now, and am doing mushies, after 5 days of not being able to have ANY liquids. My doctor's fine with it though... We have a different format we follow... There are no time limits on stages... just goals you have to meet before moving onto the next stage. As you said though, everyone's different and things change all the time =) I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything I'll regret. (Although I have complete faith that my doctor knows what he's doing =) )

I was staring to swim some before I had surgery, and now, maybe because of the dehydration, I am CRAVING getting into the pool. I'll ask my doctor on Monday, but I'm just curious, how long was it until you guys were "cleared for swimming" (or baths, etc.).

Did you eat them just with a spoon, or did you put them on something?

I just drank a COLD glass of ICED TEA in about 30 minutes!!! We're talking 12-16 ounces. I tasted EVERY sip.. did you know that tea tastes like something? I had NO idea. It was delicious. It was heavenly. It was tea. I did experience my first gas pains... just a little pain spanning from my stomach to my shoulder, then a burp, then it was gone. I can do this. =) I CAN do this. I CAN DO THIS! Jonathan