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I am sorry you had a bad experience with your surgery. I just wanted to tell you that as a nurse for years, your nurse was very unprofessional and maybe inexperienced. An incident of tachycardia ( yes, heart racing ) is not a reason for a nurse panicking, especially in front of a patient. Many people wake up from surgery and it takes awhile for their vital signs to adjust! As for the horror stories - you should hear the ones I hear following emergency department visits out and about town. I will hear stories about visits that I was personally present for, and their versions are dramatically different from what I witnessed. That is not to say that in "their" perception they are describing it is not true but often when the outcome is not as they expected for example; waiting longer than they wany; not getting the medication they want; expecting chronic conditions to be "fixed" in an ER visit; or having the physician tell them that they cannot do anything form them. Someones visit may go as follows: they come in with their child with a cough and fever and have to wait 20 minutes for the current triage; after triaged they have to wait 20 minutes to come back; after coming back they have to wait 20 minutes for the doctor to see them because we have 2 motor vehicle crash victims; a chest pain; a baby being transferred and a pshych patient taking up a bed; we draw blood; it takes 2 attempts; the chest x-ray takes 30 minutes because the MVC victims are being done; Respiratory Therapy does a breathing treatment; we give medication for the fever (generally we have to wait an hour for it to kick in). During all of this time, the child is fussy and crying but VS are stable except the fever. Baby is fussy, and it takes 2 nurses to give the antibiotics; Finally, the fever comes down; the labs are good and the doctor prescribes some more antibiotics and they have to wait for 20 minutes for the discharge paperwork. Baby is still fussy because they are sick, but we cannot make that go away! After all of this, here is the point of the story, in our perception - this was a totally stable patient and a 3-4 hour ER visit is the norm with everything going on. The patients story which I heard the next day in the store was: Baby was really sick and it took hours in the ER to even be seen - they did not care that she was crying and hot. When we got in the back the nurses did not even know what they were doing and stuck her twice to get her blood. Even though she was screaming they made us wait forever and then they did not even admit her - they just sent her home with p prescription and told us to give her tylenol, We are never going back to that place! I know this is a long story, but while I do not want to minimize the risks, on all of the horror stories, how many of them were done by physicians that were not researched; in facilities that were not the greatest; did not comply with pre op and/or post op instructions; had pre existing conditions that they do not disclose on thier stories such as smoking; alcohol or drug usage?? I agree with the others that have posted, the risk of obesity and its health related problems are looming out there and shaking thier fist at us on a daily basis!! We are going into this with great expectations and not without thought and prayer, you can do it. And, if you ever have a nurse do this again, ask her calmly to take her own pulse before panicking!!!!

I have heard after you get your new tummy that you don't need much to feel a buzz. I am curious what ha been your limit? What did you drink? I'm 6 weeks Post op and would love a glass of wine. Don't judge me please, we're all adults lol I've been very good with holding down food and getting liquids in. I've never had any issues. Thank you!

This is most definitely something you should ask your surgeon and not a bunch of strangers on the internet. There are very good reasons not to be drinking alcohol that have nothing to do with the calories. A blood thinning barbiturate is not the best thing for someone who just had surgery on their digestive system. A bleed or death is not unheard of because of alcohol consumption. After you hit 6 months or a year, you'll have the rest of your life to drink. Is it really worth it to have a drink now?

Same experience here—each chewable worse than the next. I could not get past the artificial flavors and sweeteners. If I managed to get it down and was lucky, the feeling would pass after a sneeze or two (and maybe an alcohol swab). RD recommended a capsule when I was on soft foods so I could open it and stir it into food. The vitamin taste was hard to cover, but I preferred that over the fake flavors.

I’m currently taking a 30 day hiatus from alcohol but i can drink the same as I did pre op unfortunately. Although my tastes have changed. And I used to love red wine but now it tastes like straight acid. I don’t want the useless calories anymore. Maybe special occasions after this 30 days

Ok here was my experience today. I ordered a Bahama Mama. I drank about 1/4 of it before our food arrived and during the meal. I drank the rest after I ate my correct portion. No effect from the alcohol and still feel full 3 hours later. Which is how it should be so it was fine. Next time I may try 2 drinks...:thumbup:

I'm not an expert. I was sleeved August, 2016 after a lifetime of diets and eating/exercise programs. My weight fluctuated my entire life. I was an obese child. My first diet began at age 9 after being teased unmercifully at school. I struggled to maintain a "close to" normal weight as I entered my teens. Thus began a lifetime of eating disorders that included bulimia and anorexia that lasted well into my 50's. I took pills, shots and filled my body with anything that promised a quick solution and weight loss. All this to say I've had a lifetime of experiences being overweight. I know many people on this site have very similar experiences. I feel compelled to post about my surgery because I fully expected my life to be very different post surgery. I did lots of research and read many stories from many people who had not only sleeve surgery but also bypass surgery and lap band surgery. I needed a drastic change. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life waking up and going to sleep with my weight dominating my thoughts. While I'm certainly still adjusting I am learning to listen to my body. I'm aware when I've had enough to eat and it is well before I'm "full". If I don't listen to my body sometimes one additional bite can cause me to feel nauseous and throw up a portion of my food. I made a commitment when I had the surgery to stop eating when I'm not hungry any longer. Feeling full is no longer enjoyable for me and I'm happy my body doesn't tolerate it very well. Things are very different. Meal time is different. What I eat is different. How people react is different. But I expected these changes. If people are concerned about how much or what I'm eating I compare it to an alcoholic worried that I'm not drinking enough [emoji4]To my friends I usually say "why don't you worry about what you're eating and I'll worry about what I'm eating".......with a smile. This is lots of reading for a very simple thought and my very humble opinion. Your life changes after sleeve surgery (or bypass or whatever). It's a permanent change and you will eat differently, you'll feel differently about food. The hard changes are about how we use food, how we think about food and what food we think we want or need. That doesn't go away overnight. The sleeve is a tool. It will work beautifully if you use it correctly. If you don't make the necessary changes it will fail. You still can't eat anything and everything you want in huge quantities. You still can't use food to heal emotional hurts or make you feel rested if you're tired. You still need to make good choices and eat things that will fuel your body instead of your emotions. Many people on this forum have said over and over again that "head hunger" is a problem and we need to work on it everyday. Surgery doesn't make it go away. I had never heard the term before but believe it's true. Food is never the solution but perhaps counciling and/or a good support group can help. Any type of bariatric surgery is simply a tool. It is not a magic cure for being overweight. If you think your whole world will change as a result of the surgery I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. It still requires commitment, dedication, sacrifice and a willingness to work hard. I absolutely believe it's worth it!

the Russell stover stuff was expressly forbidden to me by the surgeon and nutritionist because the are full of sugar alcohols which is sugar , your body turns them into sugar more slowly so they don't cause a high glucose surge in your blood but the sugar is the same once it does hit the blood. So might as well just have the real one.

The doctor said my wound looked good. Cleaning it with antibacterial soap and keeping it dry helped. Peroxide, alcohol and iodine will dry out the skin and will heal at a slower rate. They make a medical grade cleaning solution for wound care at CVS but simple antibacterial soap will work.

Mine was basically a shortened post-op diet in reverse for 10 days total: 5 days mushy foods 3 days full liquids 2 days clear liquids No specific foods, no calorie limit, no alcohol. Not terribly difficult. Surgeon said my liver was flat as a pancake

I don't do well with dairy so I can't do the milk diet. My pre op diet is high protein and no carbs. Breakfast is 2 eggs with mushrooms or tomato, lunch a chicken or tuna salad, evening meal chicken / fish and veggies. No cheese, no carbs, no alcohol, no chocolate no crisps etc. Oh I can have 3 pieces of fruit a day. Sent from my E5823 using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree! I will miss bagels and pizza more than anything, but they're part of the reason I'm obese. I can't eat them in moderation, and I don't want to. I think the reason for banding is to get healthy and thin. I've accepted the fact that there are just certain foods I won't be eating anymore, kind of like an alcoholic accepts the fact that (s)he can't drink anymore.

#1 you can't listen to anyone one here about fills - cuz for each of us it's totally diff - my doc won't tell me how much I have in my band cuz I can have 3 cc's in my band and be too tight and another person can have 5 and still not have restriction - it doesn't mattter the # of cc's in your band all that matters is that you have restriction and if you can't eat or drink without throwing up - That's telling you - that you do have restriction After my 2nd fill I lost 17 in 2 months - I told him I wanted fill cuz I could eat 1 whole enchillada - he said no... You lost the weight - its up to you to make good food choices - I went back a month later begging for one - he gave it to me - within the week I was back and all of that fill but .01 was taken out - I was so freaking tight I could barely drink - I lived that week on sliders - I will never again be that tight.. #2 what would you tell a friend of yours turned to alcohol or drugs during a personal crisis - would you co-sign their use of drugs or alcohol?? I seriously doubt that - so why are you co-signing your reason for eating.. That's your drug of choice... Deal with the issues - we all have them - I lost my baby bro who's 3 yrs younger than me 2 years ago.. Did I turn to food - Nope - would I have in the past - Yes - When both my parents died within 1 month of each other I gained 30 lbs. But I now understand that drowning your sorrow in food isn't the answer - just like if you were drowning them in drugs or alcohol.. We all make excuses as to why we can't do it - but that's all they are is excuses - If you were truly hungry - an apple would satisfy that hunger instead of a bowl of ice cream w/half a jar of choc on it.. Here's a suggestion - write down everything you eat - there are tons of sites on the internet - livestrong - daily plate - hell I kept a little 3 x 3 note book with me - I wrote down everything I ate & the pt grms and the calories - I did this for my till I got to goal (11 months 1 week) Losing weight is simple math - calories in vs calories burned Go back to the basic - eat off small plates/bowls - always eat pt 1st - tiny bites - eat slowly - chew chew chew - no drinking with meals - Losing weight with the band is still work - we have tons and tons of mental issues to deal with - we can't turn to food to mask our feelings of frustration - loneliness, anger & boredom.. When you have these feelings - get up do something to distract yourself - deal w/your emotions don't bury them with food - and when you are tempted to - say to yourself - would I smoke some crack right now so that I don't have to deal with these feelings - I bet the answer is no - equate food to your crack and maybe you will look at it differently - maybe you will see that it's killing you - it might be legal - but it's going to kill you if you don't get control of it.. Hope your doc can give you some help... The majority of our issues w/food are in our head - it takes a lot of work - you gotta look at the reasons that you over ate in the 1st place - you gotta learn new coping skills. It's so do-able - I was 52 when banded - had a life time of being obese - but the light bulb finally went off - I controlled all that junk I was eat - I chose to eat high fat - high sugar and sit on my butt 24/7 - that's why I got fat - It's what I did for me - after I took care of everyone else - Well I turned that around - I love me enough to want to live - I took that control and reverse it - I choose to eat healthy - I choose to go to the gym - I choose to have a life where I am not limited as to what I can or can't do cuz of my weight..' This Grandma now can zipline - scuba dive - parasail - take the stairs - play with her grandkids - the quality of my life has improved 1,000,000 % and girl friend I am no different than you - I have walked in your shoes the majority of my life - You just have to exercise your gray matter to make the changes needed to get healthy and you can do it...

Are you drinking alcohol? I was understanding that we could not drink any alcohol for at least 6 to 9 months. What does your doctor say?

Not sure how they handle self pay, but, I would advise that you do all the nutrition consults. These consults will educate you as to what and how to eat. The change in how you eat is the toughest thing to learn and they will educate/prepare you. Insurance will require that you can prove that you've tried to lose weight on your own, but, without permanent results, so, that part is omitted with self pay and probably take the longest. The psychological evaluation looks for issues with serious dependency with food. Think of it this like an alcoholic and dependency with liquor. If you have a serious issue with food, counseling may be a requirement before the band. I would advise to find out how much fills are and how many are included with the their asking price of the surgery. Ask if they do them under floro or blind fills. Find out what kind of band they use (lapband or realize band). Find out how aggressive they are with fills (how many cc's they put in at a time) and also at what frequency (usually every 6 weeks). Find out if fills are done by the doctor or PA (makes no difference, but good to know). Ask the doc how many bands she/he has done. Is the bariatric program certified a "center of excellence" or how close they are to getting their certification. My best guess is a month or so, but, I'm just guessing. Good luck to you. This is a big step and I can assure you will help with disc issues. Jake

You're welcome RSG! That's too bad your first dietitian didn't work for you. Maybe your doctor could suggest another? I believe trying to go it alone is never a good idea. Seeking help is strength & smart thinking - you first sought help with your weight loss by getting a lap-band, now continue with someone who can help you eat smart. It's like alcoholics that seek help with AA - they are the ones most likely to succeed in conquering their disorder. I couldn't have come this far without my dietitian - she's a great fountain of information. I wish you the very best, and stay with us here and let us know how you are doing! :cool2: I agree too Jodi & Christasha - everyone is welcome here. :wink: And I hope I didn't sound like I was hatin' on the Protein shakes LilMissDiva! :smile: If it works and you like it, perfect! They just don't work for me, I'm hungry like 10 minutes later.:cursing: I really hate the day after a fill - drinking liquids for 24 hours drives me nuts. I do like StLouisGal's idea though, she made a very good point - those shakes would be perfect in the morning for people who have that tight band problem! just keep swimming! :thumbup:

Honestly it's hit home over this past year as to what it must be like being a recovering alcoholic. I've heard that many people don't look at ever beating it completely. It's a constant battle where you have good days/weeks/months/years and others are a struggle. I effing loved to smoke and I never thought I'd be able to quit smoking. Was a really tough first year but got through it. Going on something like 7 years now since I quit and there are times where I'd love to have a smoke. I don't dwell on it for long an it passes, but every now and then those urges come up. Food is going to be a tougher battle for me.

It sounds like you have unrealistic expectations of the band. It is not supposed to make you feel full, nor is it suppose to restrict what you eat or how much you can eat. The only thing the band is suppose to do is help you to be satisfied with less food for longer periods of time. Satisfied meaning no longer physically hungry. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean you don't need another fill. You very well may. But if you are looking for a full feeling or for the band to restrict what you eat or how much, then you run the risk of getting over-filled. Being over-filled leads to slips and you definitely don't want that. Have you considered counseling? Food addiction is very real and very hard to overcome. I know I still struggle with it all the time. I have to constantly ask myself "Am I physically hungry or do I just want to eat?" Unlike drug or alcohol addiction, us food addicts can't just give up our addiction. We have to eat to live. I hope you consider counseling, it really can help a lot. Best wishes to you.

Had an appointment at my weight loss clinic today for my 30'ish day check up and decided to post an update. This is a summary of the past 30 days and will include.... THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE UGLY..... wahhha..wah. wha.. wha (okay as close as I think the good, the bad, and the ugly theme would sound like in print) The Good: I have lost 40lbs post op (I weighed in at 271 lbs, my surgery weight was 311) I do not include my total weight weight loss from start of the program, just from the surgery date (I weighed 329 at my heaviest). I am getting my energy back, slowly, but I feel it coming back. I am able to go to the gym and use the treadmills with my wife and son, walk farther, go up stairs without feeling my hips and knees grind, and I can mow the lawn and do yard work again. This next one may sound silly, but to me it meant a lot. I was able to take a bath. Normally for the past several years I have showered daily, but there have been days I would have loved a good hot bath to just soak for a bit. For years I was afraid of lowering myself and slipping and falling, and even the last time I did take a bath I displaced so much water into the run off drain it was basically just me laying in about 2 gallons of water. Our tub is a normal size garden tub. I was surprised to not only be able to bathe but actually see space between me and the edge of the tub. My family has been very supportive. My kids think it's great i am looking out for my health, and my wife...well some days she is like a Marine Drill Instructor while going over my food choices and if I took my vitamins or not. I may need to buy some new clothes soon. I normally wear XXXL T-shirts and XXL pants but have noticed my shirts hanging on me a lot lower. Before I did not have to tuck them in because my gut would hold them out like a circus tent, now I feel like I am wearing a mini skirt with the shirt bottom hanging so low. My friends and family say they can see the weight loss but I think a lot of us have body dysmorphia and just can't see any improvement, so all i have to go on is my clothing feeling loose an dthe fact I don't have to turn sideways in supermarket aisles to let others pass. I do not feel hunger. Do I think of food I can't or shouldn't eat? Hell yes I do!, but it's more like food memories of what i used to eat for comfort, and I know that's what they are. Not feeling hunger is a double edged sword because I do have to remind myself to eat and it is very easy for me to go an entire day and realize I have not eaten anything. THE BAD: This is where I confess all the things I should not have done, but did anyway, and the consequences. The first, I have to come clean to upfront. I was a smoker for 30 years before I quit for the surgery. I felt I had quit the habit for good by the time of my surgery but during a stressful time I stupidly bought a pack of cigarettes and spent the next 4 days smoking that pack. (Now I can hear the boo's and hisses coming through the internet and the comments of "But you had quit! why did you start again stupid!"). I am not going to explain it or give any excuses or ask for any forgiveness except from my wife. Here we come to the main reason I mention this at all. I developed the worst case of GERD's, acid reflux, heartburn, etc I have ever had. I am still trying to clear it up. Stupidly I kept asking myself what was causing it. The food I was eating was the same, my liquid intake was normal, what could it possibly be I would ponder as I took another drag off of my cigarette. Yes I am a slow learner (Just ask my wife) but the correlation to smoking and immediately afterwards having a severe GERDS flare up finally dawned on me. What chantix could not do, severe burning hellfire in my esophagus was able to do. I put the smokes down for good. I have experimented with some foods I probably should not have. I figured I eat chicken salad and softened chicken...I should be able to eat a chicken nugget right? I do not know if it was the breading, that fat it was cooked in or what, but I was throwing up (Dry heaving really) for about 20 minutes. There have been other experiments, and I do forsee more as my food choices increase. I do not go out and try to eat a double cheeseburger in one setting, but I may tear a piece of meat off the side and nibble on it (and then dry heave for 20 minutes, make a mental note not to do that again and foolishly go and find something else I shouldn't eat and nibble on a bit of it) I did mention I am a slow learner right? During a phase of nausea I had my wife go out and get me a bottle of diet ginger beer. This is non alcoholic and is basically ginger ale except 10 times stronger in the amount of ginger in it. I opened the bottle, poured a shot glass worth and let it sit for an hour until most of the carbonation had worn off. Drank it and it did really settle my stomach. We since that worked a week later after working in the yard I got a can of ice cold soda..yes plain old sweetened soda. First mistake is I gulped it (I go more into liquids below), second mistake I did not allow the fizz to dissipate, third mistake well was drinking the damn thing at all. This time I threw up for real..kinda..just the soda coming right back up and even up and out my nose. sigh....Now I know you may not have heard this...but I am a slow learner THE UGLY: This is where I mention things that are kinda sucking that I actually did not cause to myself. At least i think so..maybe. Drinking, no not booze (not yet as least) I mean just normal drinking of water, fluids, etc. Before surgery I used to love to just guzzle a soda, or water, or even the first cup of coffee of the day. (Aha! I can all ready hear you all out there wagging your fingers saying "sip, sip, sip") Well as many of you post ops know, that doesn't quite work for many of us now. Even an ice cold glass of almond milk can be an enemy if I drink to fast. The other issue I have is not drinking with meals, or before, or after etc. It is an ingrained habit that I will admit I am still struggling with (easy fix is just not having liquids around me during meal times). Hypoglycemic events. I have had two and they scared the bejeesus out of me. I don't know if it was from lack of food, from eating/drinking something I shouldn't have or what but as soon as I start sweating and shaking, feeling sleepy and weak i check my blood sugar and normally I run 100 and to see it down in the 60's or 70's is scary. and as promised really shameless before and after pics.....not for the weak of heart

Hello! I officially started this whole journey back in early January, although my clinic says that my first meeting with the surgeon didn't count so my last appointment will be on August 9th (I'm going to call my insurance tomorrow to clarify - if there's any chance I can get it done sooner, it would help so much!) so I still have a bit to go. I will be entering my junior year of college on August 20, so with my last appointment being on the 9th, I will definitely end up having the surgery during school. I WOULD wait and schedule it for winter break to have ample time to recover, but I am studying abroad in Prague for the Spring semester and want to be well adjusted by then. So, I will be communicating with my professors to have a week off during the semester whenever my surgery ends up being scheduled. My main questions are: Do you think a week is a long enough time for me to head back to class after the surgery? I only have classes MWF from 1-4 p.m. and will likely be working at my job as a desk assistant (literally sitting and watching Netflix the whole time) about 12-16 hours a week. I will have to carry a backpack that's about 7-15 pounds. I would love your guys' input on how realistic this plan sounds! Do you think I should be worried about how adjusted I will be by the time I go to Prague? Even if I were to have the surgery as late as November and then leave mid-January, is that enough time for me to become used to how it all works? Alsoooooo how long did you guys wait/recommend waiting to drink alcohol? I'm thinking when I'm in Prague it will be tempting to go to the clubs which would include drinking HOWEVER it is not a priority or necessity so if you've had awful experiences I am happy to avoid!

I got gas x tablets strips did not work well for me, wylers bouillon cubes chicken or beef, crystal light, alcohol wipes to sterilize area where u give yourself shots, get all prescriptions filled, get acid reducers, comfy gowns, follow doc insructions, take plenty naps allow yourself to heal. I bought cream for my incisions. Get a smallnote pad write your water intake stuff like that. I also checked my blood pressure daily. I also went and got my favorite smelling hand lotion it comforted me. Other than that sit back and enjoy the ride oh I forgot sf popcycles. Good luck

I was put on a two week pre-op diet and, at that time, that's when the alcohol stops.

I think with any stall BBoodle is right... you have to change things up. If you arent logging what you are putting in your mouth you need to. You need to make sure the protein is where it should be and you need to exercise no matter what.... Just having surgery doesnt ensure weight loss... it is a tool. I know a guy that didnt lose... he was putting pizza spaghetti you name it in a blender and not moving his ass. He drank alcohol like crazy and wondered why he wasnt losing. Look at what you are and are not doing. Consult your doctor or nut... they are there to help you!! Good luck

When did you try alcohol & what is this better choice to drink?! I want to try one tonight!

If it gives you any hope at all, I used to have a lot of joint pain throughout my body. I now only occasionally have pain and I'm only about halfway to goal! I hope that you start noticing some improvement after losing just a small amount of weight! I know a lot of people with joint problems promote swimming as a good exercise. That may be something to consider since swimming is very low impact as compared to running, etc. As far as "getting stuck," I've learned that I only get into trouble if I eat too fast and don't chew my food thoroughly. I try not to eat dry chicken, pork, etc. I always cook lean meats in some type of broth to keep it moist. I also use a lot of fat free mayo, salsa, and chopped tomatoes to season food so it isn't too dry. I avoid regurgitating food by not eating and drinking at the same time and by not eating too much at one time. Once you adopt these practices and they become habit, it's second nature and not hard to do at all. It is still unbelievable to me, but I don't eat white bread anymore. As a former carb addict, I think that is remarkable! There's only two of us in the house, so the bread I buy keeps going bad (I'm thinking of not bothering to buy it anymore). Some people have reported having difficulty eating other carbs like Pasta and processed foods like doughnuts, quick breads, muffins, etc. At this point, I rarely eat pasta and focus on more of a "South Beach" type of diet. It seems to help me keep up my energy. I noticed that when I do eat a meal that is mostly carbs (for example--if I attend a conference and all they are serving for lunch is a pasta dish), my vision gets blurry and I feel like crap the rest of the day. I can actually feel my blood sugar going out of whack. It makes me very sluggish. Ugh! :sick As far as maximizing weight loss, I'm probably not the best person to give advice. My strategy has been "slow and steady wins the race." I would like to reach my goal weight by the end of 2008. I didn't want to lose weight really rapidly like when you have gastric bypass surgery. I'm almost twice your age, so my perspective is a little different. As you get older, I don't think you're in as big of a hurry about things--2 years out of life for a 40-year-old doesn't seem so long as compared to how a 20-year-old would view 2 years! LOL! From my observations, I believe that those who do these things tend to lose weight the fastest (and maintain their weight loss more easily): -have a strong commitment to living a totally different lifestyle than the one that made them overweight to begin with (they continue following their new lifestyle even when weight-loss plateaus hit rather than giving up) -break their weight loss into smaller, easily achievable goals to keep themselves motivated (when you have a ton of weight to lose, it's easy to become discouraged) -strictly follow "bandster" guidelines about diet (low-fat, low-sodium, low-carb, high Protein, lots of low-carb veggies) -avoid fast-food establishments (or choose smart options like salad) -carefully watch their calorie, fat, protein, and carb intake -avoid drinking "empty" calories via alcohol, soda, high-fat milkshakes, etc. -stay away from high calorie foods that are easy for a bandster to eat like ice cream and chocolate -take in at least 64 ounces of Water (in various forms) per day -have a positive attitude and Celebrate their accomplishments with non-food related rewards -exercise regularly (both aerobic exercise and weight training) That's what I've been able to pick up from reading lots of threads and from other bandsters I've met in person for what it's worth!