JamesA

I usually drink Bacardi & Diet Coke.... what's a good non-carb substitute for Diet Coke, that is still sweet like DC?

No worries for missing my Sept. thread. Here's essentially what my first post said: I'm scheduled with Dr. Ortiz in TJ for Labor Day - September 4th. After lurking for about a week or so, this is my first post. It is also a big step for me. I have fought obesity all my life. As a youth, it was called "husky"... that sounded ok. I even liked it! However, after losing and gaining weight all of my life, I know I need more help. I fear I need psychological assistance too, but for now, I'm looking to all of you for the psych help. I've lost over 100 lbs. using Diet Center, 125 lbs. using Atkins, and 55 lbs. using Weight Watchers. I know how to lose weight. But my body knows how to gain it too... and then some. I love food, and find comfort in it. I'm not big on sweets, but love the pastas and rices... yum. Deciding to get banded wasn't easy, not only for the amount of food, but having to give up carbonated drinks (I'm a Diet Pepsi fiend). I feel that with a little will power, and the help I'll get from the LB, I'll be successful. (By the way, isn't it ironic that we're looking to an LB to lose lbs?) Anyway, that's my life story in a nutshell. Thank you in advance for your anticipated welcome, and wish me luck! So, here I am, anxiously BACK on the Atkins induction diet (again!), losing the pounds I need to lose before surgery. I'm nervous, excited, and hopeful that this begins the final chapter on a thinner me. I don't need to be cut, chiseled, or anything like that. I just want to buy clothes off the rack, not be embarasses in umpteen different scenarios. You know. Accidently sweetened my iced tea today with Equal, and I just about freaked! I'm sure it'll be fine. So many times I wanted to just have a non-induction Atkins food... but no, I can do this for just a few more weeks. I am concerned as I will be in Hawaii exactly two weeks post-surgery. I'm concened whether I'll know enough on how to care and feed my new lifestyle. And it's the little things like "How will I be able to chew to THAT degree?" or "Can I be ok not drinking anything with a meal?" or "No carbonated drinks... DAMN!" There needs to be a thread entitled "What you need to know for the first two months post-band". Would someone get to work on that? Now? Thank you. Ok, so I'm 9/4 with Dr. Ortiz in TJ. Anyone else on that day?

There are lots of litte sites that help calculate the nutritional value of food. This one, by the USDA no less, is the best I've found. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/ Hope it helps!

If it were my wife that were banded, it would be a red cross made of ruby baguettes, laid in a pave diamond background. Hey, if you're gonna go, go big (which I guess has been my problem all this time)...

Sept. 4th for me... I guess MY Sept band thread wasn't good enough! :bananapartyhat:

*bumpity bump*