Cindy C

You're right about waist size. I was on the verge of all the same things you're concerned about. My waist was also 51" when I started this journey. Now it's about 34" and all my health issues are under control.

Solid in solid out! If you aren't eating anything then you aren't gonna go.

Get the junk food out of the house! Replace it with guilt free snacks. Cut up carrots, celery etc and have it in the fridge so it's available when you want it. I found some awesome chips recently. They're called Pop Chips. They're air popped potato chips and only have 5 calories each. I dip them is salsa which has virtually no calories. I can pig out on them til I'm stuffed and only consume 100 calories or so. Make rules for yourself that you can live with. One of mine is the kitchen is off limits if the TV is on. Another one is I can eat that but I have to eat it naked in front of the mirror! Try and find yourself a new obsession...one that doesn't have to do with food. Mine is my beloved Detroit Tigers. If they're playing, I'm watching. Therefore, the TV is on and I stay out of the kitchen.

Welcome and good luck. Where in Michigan are you having your surgery. Had mine at Port Huron Hospital and couldn't have asked for a better experience.

LOL!!!

My doctor's rule is NO CARBONATION~PERIOD!!! According to him, it has nothing to do with stretching the pouch. Unless you have something stuck, beverages go right through. The problem is...your stomach fills up with carbonated drinks and the bubbles pop which can cause the band to slip from the pressure. While, small amounts aren't likely to cause a problem, his thought process is this....Most of us in our obese days drank a crap ton of pop and telling us that it's ok in moderation most will start drinking more and more and eventually work our way back up to 3 or 4 2-liters a day.

Awesome Job. Keep up the good work!

My doctor suggested drinking them from the beginning.

You can make it ahead and put it in small containers in the freezer.

You need a slight unfill!

Sometimes the idiotic things men say astounds me!!!!

Put chicken, carrots, celery, onions and whatever other vegetables you like in the crock pot along with salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, basil etc and cook it all day or overnight. Pour it through a strainer and throw the hunks away.

12-24 hours.

I'm glad you started this thread. I've been dealing with the same questions for almost 2 years and still don't know the best way to handle it. I've tried telling them upfront and I've waited and told them later and really doesn't seem to matter. I've scared off more men! I honestly think its the former weight issue. I think they get freaked out at the possibility of starting a relationship with someone who might get fat. There's only one that it really didn't effect. After dating him about 6 months he made yet another comment about how little I eat so I finally told him. All I said was, "that's because I've had bariatric surgery" he just said "Oh" and that was that. Honestly, I don't think he really gets it. I would love to read others opinions and experiences. Maybe we should start a internet dating site for bariatric patients!

Great Job. You look so much younger too! Keep up the good work!

In the old days I would wake up and my first thought was "What am I going to eat today?" And I would go straight to the fridge. As the weight started falling off that thought changed to "How much do I weigh today?" And I would go straight to the scale. Seeing the number, and remembering the old one, gave me a new obsession. Try to find something else to think about. It gets easier.

Good thing about the wagon is you can always jump back on!!

A large Hungry Howie's thin crust pepperoni pizza has 146 calories per slice. (124 if you skip the pepperoni).

My husband said to me one time "Geez, your really getting fat!" He said it 2 weeks after I had given birth to our daughter. Let me rephrase that....my EX husband said it!! Men can be such asses!!

Anything smaller than an aspirin is fine to swallow whole. Ask your pharmacist what's available in liquid form.

When I get the urge for pizza (which is rare these days) I order thin crust. Never have a problem with it. Wound never even consider thick crust. Chicago style was always my favorite! Those days are over!

I agree. Stay away from bread and all things white! I very seldom eat any red meat. It always seems to give me trouble.

If you are getting stuck often and not losing weight then you probably need a slight unfill. Does your doctor ask what zone your in when you go to him? Sounds to me like you're in the red zone.

That's great, Maura. Keep up the good work!