GordoNoMore

Mr. Ninner: You sound like a dude that has in down!!! Great for you!!! I am hoping to get banded this Spring and have about 200 pounds I want to lose. Pre-banded diet I have lost 15 in 15 days eating as if I were banded and it seems to work, appetite wise. I can certainly relate to the pre-banded eating habit you had. I too could eat a whole pizza or 2 or 3 McDonalds sandwiches. Stay on track and keep up the good work. I will keep an eye open for your posts. art, a friend of Jesus. agallegos@satx.rr.com

Thank you all for your responses to my concerns. This makes me feel good about what I am getting myself into, and makes it easier to stick to my goal of losing 5% of my body weight to get the VA Dr. to put me on the list for this Spring. Again, Thank you to everybody. art, a friend of Jesus.

babbs3772: Do you get hungry? As in your belly button nawing on your back bone or is it a mental appetite? I am pre banded and my eating habits when I am not dieting are "I don't have a chip or two, or a bag of chips, I have THE BAG of chips" if you remember what I mean? Thanks!!

When you were fat did you crave food or feel as if you were addicted to food? How does it differ now?

How do you chat with the moderator to get help in downloading an avatar?

Anyone: I too am new to this forum, and I hope I will be banded early this Spring. Why do we have to give up soda water and coffee?

Thanks for your post! You sound very militant and that is what I need to hear. I wish I would have done this years ago. Now I am 61 years old and pushing 333 lbs of ass around. No more, this Spring the VA Hospital will LB me and I look forward to the use of this tool. I have the same problem you do - did - portion control. All you can eat buffets were my old friends who were killing me. I will keep an eye on your progress. Take care and God bless you, art, a friend of Jesus.

Good to read your comment to Biker! I can relate to "portion size" being a problem which is why I have determined that the LB can help me. I am praying and hoping that it does. Where in Texas are you? I am in San Antonio, art, a friend of Jesus.

Hello Biker: You are the man!! Go for it. I just got approval from the Dr. at the VA hospital to get on track to have the surgery this spring. I can echo everything you say about dieting and eating. I look forward to being banded to use it as a tool not to over eat. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress. God bless, art, a friend of Jesus.

Your post is an eye opener. Thanks for your attitude. I am hoping to get banded this Spring at the VA Hospital. Right now I am trying to lose 5% of my body weight which participating in program to qualify for the surgery. This last two days have not been to rough, I guess I have a purpose that is driving me as I "DIET" to lose the 5%. I am eating small amounts of stuff which will also help me diabetes. I am going to check out your blog for food ideas. FYI I weighed in at 333 lbs yesterday, I go back on the 4th of February and am hopeful that I will have lost weight. I just hope and pray that I can end my affair with food. God bless you and thank you. art, a friend of Jesus.

Dear Pam: You said "I really just want to stop obessing about weight & food & just live a normal life not thinking about it." Well that statement pretty well sums it up for me, and probably more than a handful of other bandsters. I can say amen to what you say otherwise. I too have lost hundreds of pounds over and over, only to yo yo back to my weight plus some more. I started out at 140 lbs when I left the U.S. Army in 1967. I recall gaining my first 20 lbs and hating that my clothes did not fit. I went out and ran my self silly, eating tuna and boiled eggs and lots of salad. Next thing I knew I had gained the twenty pounds back and then some. During the next couple of years I gained enough weight to join the 200 lb group, but I was exercising and running and staying in good shape for a 200 lb fat boy. I must have looked good - - I found my wife and we have been married 25 years - - she is a size 12 and today I weigh 333 lbs. My Dr. at the VA Hospital told me yesterday that if I can lose 5% of my body weight in the next few months and complete the "MOVE" program which is a program for veterans to get fit, that she will recommend me for the lap band procedure. The truth of the matter is that when I came across this site I almost barfed with all the negative information that was being shared, but there is a lot of positive info also. The bottom line for me is that I too am tired of not just being fat, but tired of my overeating no matter how innocent or necessary it is - - a party, a wedding, a pity party, anxiety, depression, anger - - I can go on but I won't. I have used every excuse in the book to rationalize my overeating. I want to stop. Lap Band for me will be a tool to help me quit overeating which will result in a thinner me. My Goal is 140 lbs. I have a long way to go but with Gods help, my wifes support and the love of friends and relatives, and other bandsters I am determined to reach my goal. FYI I am 61 years old. Good luck to you and your family in your endeavor, keep the faith, God blesss you. art, a friend of Jesus.

I met with my Dr. at the VA Hospital yesterday and received the good news that Lap Band Surgery will become available at this facility in April or May. I will be given an opportunity to be a candidate for the procedure if I meet certain criteria, the first of which is to lose 5% of my current weight which is 333 lbs during the next 6 months. I know I can do this, I have in the past. There are other criteria that are probably not unlike what most of you have been through, i.e. meetings with shrinks, dieticians and physical therapy. While I am excited about the prospect of LBS I just wonder what I am going to do with my love affair with food, the buying, cooking, inviting folks over and the over indulging? I just hope and pray that I can learn to be happy with a few bites of this and that and not feel the need to over indulge. Talk to me if you have had similar concerns about leaving your past relationship with food. Thanks, art, a friend of Jesus.

You go Girl!!! You will be able to do it. My name is art, I just got the encouragement I needed yesterday when the Dr. at the VA Hospital said she would recommend me for the LB procedure if I can lose 5% of my 333 lbs. Heck yes I can, she scheduled me to meet with the dietician right away and I have a follow up appointment with the dietician on 2-4-09. I am on track. My fear is my love affair with food - - Will I have to fight it all the way to 140 lbs? Be encouraged. art, a friend of Jesus.