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Guys, I can empathize with not wanting to comply with the diet, it can be hard. I love me my carbs, the breadier, the better (as you can tell by looking at me). However, I cannot emphasize this enough: do what your doctor tells you to do, to the letter. Do not take the advice of people on the Internet over your doctor. Do not decide that you know better than your doctor. I know it can be frustrating, and we wouldn't be here if we didn't have problems with a healthy diet. But I know from my research as well as my own personal experience that the best outcomes are those who do what the doctor says, even when that's hard. They don't just make this stuff up for fun, I promise. Tiffykins has some info on why the pre-op diet is necessary, and apparently it isn't just about shrinking the liver, it's about making it less "slimy" and slippery and easier to retract during the surgery. Trust me when I say: you don't want to get liver damage just because the pre-op diet seemed too "hard." I'm sorry if I seem a little unsupportive, but this is sort of the "dark side" of medical support groups, in my opinion: you run the risk of people taking the advice of, let's face it, random strangers on the Internet over the advice of trained, experienced medical professionals. This group is great for support and general advice, but please, please, if in doubt, ask your doctor. Edit: re-reading this, it seems a little harsh. I don't mean to disparage anyone; we all have good intentions. It's just that I get worried for people who seem all too willing to be non-compliant with their doctor's orders. That can get you dead.

Thank you both SO much for your responses. It helps me feel more settled about waiting to tell people. I can so relate to the " I have tried everything and if this fails ..." . I think there are so many of us who have failed repeatedly and even though there are tons of sucessed here I think I am going to be that ONE. I have a Mom who is very unsupportive in a supportive way. You know the type who sounds like she wants you to succeed but is really glad when you don't and can tell you so. I think I am going to be sticking around here where I get REAL support. THANKS A TON!!

I learned somewhere in college that the number one cause of insomnia in the US is sleeping pills (unsupported fact pulled out of my distant memory). After my bout with Ambien I can believe it. I take a Xanex occasionally or a little dyphin, but mostly I try to let my body do its thing. Some nights I just want to SLEEP though. Stacey

(Cross posted from the forums.) So, my lovely girlfriend took a number of pictures of me standing around in just my boxers, and, yeah... now I remember why 1) I never go shirtless, and 2) I don't like pictures! I believe that, under all the flab, I'm still a basically good looking man. But I have let the fat pile up, in roll after roll, until I'm almost unrecognizable under it. I think I've never really let myself accept just how very fat I've become. I have this bizarre mental image of myself as much more "normal" weight than is reality, but I also live in constant apprehension of someone seeing just how large I am. It's a bizarre mental double-image, and the photos today (which are in my private profile, and are going to stay private until I have some real progress to show!) were... a shock. My weight looks... ungainly, unhealthy, and just unsupportable, long-term. In some ways I think I haven't been fully committed to the surgery until this moment, just now, when I realized "man, if you stay like this, if you don't change something, you are going to die, painfully, and soon." I really understand now why... My back almost always hurts. If it's not my back, it's my shoulder from lying on my side to read or sleep (all that weight on my shoulder causes problems). I almost never sleep well, and fight constantly with apnea. I'm sick so often. I hate exercise so much -- if I walk long distances (or even stand up straight for too long), something is always chafing or rubbing or constricting. It's not surprising... with that much flab to move around, who would be comfortable? I have such a hard time finding clothes that fit. I buy huge, tent-like clothes to try to fit into and "hide" my flab, but let's be real... I'm not fooling anybody. I feel so awkward in social situations -- I'm very body-shy, and it's very difficult for me to avoid the belief that someone is "judging" me for my body. Some years ago, I had LASIK surgery because I was very nearsighted. I had to wear thick, coke bottle glasses (or contacts, but they were killing my eyes). I was very frightened of the surgery, to be honest -- I was worried I would go blind or something. But I got through it; I did my best to follow the surgeon's instructions TO THE LETTER, and when my eyes had fully healed, I had better than 20/20 vision (20/10 in one eye, 20/15 in the other). It wasn't entirely a positive experience; I had to shell out five thousand dollars of my own money (LASIK was still new). It was a little painful and a lot frightening, but I still consider it one of the best choices I've ever made. I still just stare out on this beautiful world, sometimes, and marvel at how nice it is to be able to really SEE without thick lenses or frames chafing my ears or getting smudged or slipping down (and making everything look small, that's one odd effect of glasses that they never mention -- everything looks so SMALL). It was totally worth the money, and I would do it again in a moment. So that's how I'm thinking of the weight loss surgery. I've done the research; on almost every single metric, this surgery will improve my life. It will add years of life expectancy, and (maybe more important), it will likely be QUALITY life, not years spent in sickness and decline. It will restore my mental image of myself as a "normal looking" guy to reality. It will hopefully ease my constant anxiety that something is Dreadfully Wrong with me, health-wise (I'm fortunate that almost all of my anxiety is, for now, ungrounded -- but how long will THAT last?). YES, there will be some initial pain, but apparently not much. YES, I'll have to likely deal with some nausea or "sliming" or whatever, but that's a small price to pay. YES, I'll have to re-learn how to eat, and make good food choices every single day, but to be honest, I should have been doing that anyhow. I'm hoping that, like the LASIK surgery, I'll look back on this in a few years and say "would I do it again? Absolutely, yes. In a heartbeat." Because after looking at myself in all of my non-glory today, I don't like what I see. That much fat just can't be sustained. This kind of life of pain, embarrassment, discomfort, and always waiting for the "other shoe to fall," health-wise, just can't last. I have to do it. I think, now, I may finally WANT to do it.

So, my lovely girlfriend took a number of pictures of me standing around in just my boxers, and, yeah... now I remember why 1) I never go shirtless, and 2) I don't like pictures! I believe that, under all the flab, I'm still a basically good looking man. But I have let the fat pile up, in roll after roll, until I'm almost unrecognizable under it. I think I've never really let myself accept just how very fat I've become. I have this bizarre mental image of myself as much more "normal" weight than is reality, but I also live in constant apprehension of someone seeing just how large I am. It's a bizarre mental double-image, and the photos today (which are in my private profile, and are going to stay private until I have some real progress to show!) were... a shock. My weight looks... ungainly, unhealthy, and just unsupportable, long-term. In some ways I think I haven't been fully committed to the surgery until this moment, just now, when I realized "man, if you stay like this, if you don't change something, you are going to die, painfully, and soon." I really understand now why... My back almost always hurts. If it's not my back, it's my shoulder from lying on my side to read or sleep (all that weight on my shoulder causes problems). I almost never sleep well, and fight constantly with apnea. I'm sick so often. I hate exercise so much -- if I walk long distances (or even stand up straight for too long), something is always chafing or rubbing or constricting. It's not surprising... with that much flab to move around, who would be comfortable? I have such a hard time finding clothes that fit. I buy huge, tent-like clothes to try to fit into and "hide" my flab, but let's be real... I'm not fooling anybody. I feel so awkward in social situations -- I'm very body-shy, and it's very difficult for me to avoid the belief that someone is "judging" me for my body. Some years ago, I had LASIK surgery because I was very nearsighted. I had to wear thick, coke bottle glasses (or contacts, but they were killing my eyes). I was very frightened of the surgery, to be honest -- I was worried I would go blind or something. But I got through it; I did my best to follow the surgeon's instructions TO THE LETTER, and when my eyes had fully healed, I had better than 20/20 vision (20/10 in one eye, 20/15 in the other). It wasn't entirely a positive experience; I had to shell out five thousand dollars of my own money (LASIK was still new). It was a little painful and a lot frightening, but I still consider it one of the best choices I've ever made. I still just stare out on this beautiful world, sometimes, and marvel at how nice it is to be able to really SEE without thick lenses or frames chafing my ears or getting smudged or slipping down (and making everything look small, that's one odd effect of glasses that they never mention -- everything looks so SMALL). It was totally worth the money, and I would do it again in a moment. So that's how I'm thinking of the weight loss surgery. I've done the research; on almost every single metric, this surgery will improve my life. It will add years of life expectancy, and (maybe more important), it will likely be QUALITY life, not years spent in sickness and decline. It will restore my mental image of myself as a "normal looking" guy to reality. It will hopefully ease my constant anxiety that something is Dreadfully Wrong with me, health-wise (I'm fortunate that almost all of my anxiety is, for now, ungrounded -- but how long will THAT last?). YES, there will be some initial pain, but apparently not much. YES, I'll have to likely deal with some nausea or "sliming" or whatever, but that's a small price to pay. YES, I'll have to re-learn how to eat, and make good food choices every single day, but to be honest, I should have been doing that anyhow. I'm hoping that, like the LASIK surgery, I'll look back on this in a few years and say "would I do it again? Absolutely, yes. In a heartbeat." Because after looking at myself in all of my non-glory today, I don't like what I see. That much fat just can't be sustained. This kind of life of pain, embarrassment, discomfort, and always waiting for the "other shoe to fall," health-wise, just can't last. I have to do it. I think, now, I may finally WANT to do it.

Diane, My husband is very worried. He doesn't always know how to express that very well too and sometimes comes off as unsupportive. My back pain was a big factor in my decision to do this. My lower back problems have pretty much led me to be sedentary for the past 1-2 yrs and that has just packed on even more pounds. I'm hoping to end that vicious cycle. I'm having my surgery locally here in South Louisiana. Mexico wasn't an option for me either. I have my pre-op appointment wednesday and will get my date then. Hoping for either the 28th, 29th, or 30th. That's pretty much my window of opportunity or else I will probably have to push it back until the end of June. So I'm really keeping my fingers crossed! You will definitely be in my prayers and I hope you continue to post about your journey.

I can see this from both sides, but what would be the problem with waiting until you return from Mexico to tell the PCP about the surgery and providing them with the surgeon's reports? Then, if they're not supportive, you can start looking for a new doctor. If the thought of the stress you might suffer from dealing with negative, unsupportive comments from the doc is bothering you, why put yourself through that? Now, the issue of not telling AT ALL after surgery...that seems really risky, but I can see OreganDaisy's point about that also. I hate that some of us even have to be put in that position because of these BS insurance companies.

I don't understand why people are so cruel. Maybe she was jealous that you were doing something she didn't do. If anyone at work is unsupportative they haven't said it to my face. They've asked a lot of questions. Several have started Jenny Craig this week I think because of what I am doing. . By them knowing, they are my second line of defense. They see me eat and know what I can and cannot have. Of course if it gets stuck then everyone will know that I ate something I shouldn't have.

I have finally, FINALLY, also started to tell some select people again about the surgery, now that they have asked me if I am losing weight, etc., and have been surprised by their reactions! Some people I thought would be unsupportive have actually called me courageous! On the other hand, I also did tell my sister-in-law last week. I had been putting that one off for quite a while. She is always dieting off her extra thirty or so pounds with this fast or that gadget, but I think it has always comforted her that no matter what she weighs, I always weigh more. She's always all about what I am eating or not eating or why? am I not eating??? Her reaction was weird !!!! It was like I mentioned it, and then she turned on a dime and started immediately talking about something else! Like, 'I am having weight loss surgery' and she was like 'oh look, cows!' And then started babbling something about how she was at the car dealership with her Lexus and her boss gave her some assignment, blah blah blah. And not a word since! It's like radio silence! Wow, I expected lots of research on dead lap band patients and statistics, instead it's like I said something forbidden. Like if she ignores it, it won't be true. Like I said, weird !!! :tt1:

Thanks finallyncontrol, I have tried mixing meds with similar and the liquid form, unfortunately to no avail. I just empty heave and gag. Probably my bodies natural defence now to prevent further OD's. I am off to see the nurse at my GP today, see if she can shed any light as well as look into my BP. @coloradobanding, I am not focusing on the failure rate nor setting myself up to fail, I just look at things from all angles realistically. If I set myself up and think....yes yes yes this will work and then it does not I am not equipped to deal with that failure after so much getting my hopes up, the mental effect of this can be devastating or even dangerous, so I have to set myself up 50/50 accepting it may or may not work. I guess you have to suffer mental health to understand that perhaps. There is an element of self preservation. My feelings about surgery will not pass, coming out of surgery, not being able to breathe and seeing my life flash before me will never go away, it was hard enough prior to that what with the agoraphobia and social phobia, just being in hospital was a major thing as it was and difficult to keep me there. What does severley pain me is just how disorganised and unsupportive the experience has been. Prior to acceptance for surgery the consultants were very worried about my mental state and ability to cope, however it was accepted and given the go ahead. First time around I was advised against the band and to have a gastric sleeve. The consultant scribbled a diagram on a scrap of paper and gave me a link to a weight lose surgery website that costs money to subscribe, which in turn had lots of contradicting topics. On the day of surgery everything went wrong, surgery postponed, my ivs not working, nurses trying to give me sugar drink when i am diabetic, trying to stick me on a ward when I can only be in a single room, standard bed, not bariatric, a sheet to cover me as no gowns to fit, the list went on, I got cold feet and bolted. Second time around, same consultants, advised No No No to gastric sleeve due to lots of issues, one common one being that they leak. Hmm. perhaps my sixth sense to bolt was right then. I am advised Gastric banding, another crude hand drawing on scrap of paper, absolutely no documentation given at any stage! With such surgery full ducumentation should be given pre-op including what the future will be like, indication of diets and what to expect etc, the good and the bad, people should be suitably informed. What is bugging me the most is SUPPORT. There just is none at all. When I was giving up smoking, I had to sit and speak with a qualified smoking cessation trained Doc, i would then have to come back weekly for support, progress updates and further help, surely any form of gastric surgery should include similar support? Not just discharge from hospital and say....see you in 6 to 8 weeks for the band to be filled and then sent along your way again, no checks or follow ups, no support or anything whatsoever. I knew more post-op when handed a diet booklet, stuff I should have known pre-op. Anyway better cut as I got to go docs now.

When I finally decided on getting banded, I told my husband, my children and my parents. I hadn't yet decided if I wanted my sister to know. She is also obese and very emotionally unstable. Unfortunately, someone in my family has a very big mouth and didn't abide by wishes. My sister was told. She has been completely unsupportive to the point of mean. I've spent six months losing and gaining the same 15 pounds, miserable and feeling like I destroyed our family. Some rather rude comments she made over the summer have wreaked devistation on all of my relationships, and I am still trying to put the pieces back together. Just be careful who you tell. Some people, even people who supposedly love you, can't stand to watch you succeed. Especially when they can't.

You can tell your husband that not all of us that lost hair had it grow in like "clown hair". My new growth is stick straight, and is growing back with a vengeance. It really sounds like he is just not educated enough on how this all works, and is trying to beat you down with a few negatives instead of rationalizing all the positives. I honestly can't understand how a spouse could be so unsupportive. It makes me really thankful for my husband, but my heart hurts for y'all. Honestly, their own insecurities are causing this from what y'all have shared, and sadly they need to work out those issues. Nothing is going to change until they are willing to accept the problem lies within themselves and not y'all. Congrats on getting your pre-op done. Stay strong, you deserve the very best life has to offer.

So, I am now 7 days pre-sleeve and am on my liquid diet. My husband is still not on board with the surgery and tries to discourage me every chance he gets. He thinks my lifestyle change will somehow affect him. I tried telling him that what I put in my mouth has nothing to do with what he puts in his, but he just tries to make me feel guilty. He thinks it is "absolutely ridiculous" that I want this surgery. Anyone else have an unsupportive significant other? what did you do? Did they eventually come around after the surgery? Thanks for any advice.

Hiiiii everyone :biggrin:.... soooo, I told my husband 10 days ago that I wanted to have LAP-BAND® surgery in Mexico...he said NO WAY...so...I took my savings (it's ok, I'm the breadwinner around here), and went ALONE...was banded 5 days ago. I'm only about 40-50 pounds overweight so I'm sure nobody will question my weight loss...besides my unsupportive husband, only my BFF knows, and she's far far away...I am pretty isolated and have so many fears and concerns, so I thought I would reach out to you all...since I've been reading this board all day obsessively. 1. Please don't tell me you feel sorry for me that I can't tell anyone...I don't feel that way, I could tell people and I'm sure I would find some support but I have chosen to keep this to myself. My family members are all total health nuts and would disapprove and I really don't feel like being subjected to their judgement. 2. I've been really good about clear liquids, juices, broth...all week and I am starting to go crazy and crave real food again...did anyone else feel this way and did anyone CHEAT? Cuz I just ate a nacho and a bite of a cookie...I KNOW...BAD...somebody keep me on track! 3. The gas and shoulder pain are starting to go away, but I have no energy and I am really just wanting to take a nap. ??? Does this get better? 4. I can REALLY feel my port, it's still pretty swollen and bruised in that area, but I'm afraid it will stick out...doctor told me post surgery that it would...yikes! I didn't know that...I'm into surfing so that's really going to BLOW if it hurts to paddle out on my board :huh2: Is there anyone out there who surfs?? :cool: I mean :thumbup: I really hope I didn't make a big mistake. 5. I AM HUNGRY!!!! Ok, that's all for now...please write back!!! Storm PS- Due to the SECRET nature of my little escapade across the border, I probably won't be posting any pics but by private email if I happen to make some friends.

Hiiiii everyone :thumbup:.... soooo, I told my husband 10 days ago that I wanted to have LAP-BAND® surgery in Mexico...he said NO WAY...so...I took my savings (it's ok, I'm the breadwinner around here), and went ALONE...was banded 5 days ago. I'm only about 40-50 pounds overweight so I'm sure nobody will question my weight loss...besides my unsupportive husband, only my BFF knows, and she's far far away...I am pretty isolated and have so many fears and concerns, so I thought I would reach out to you all...since I've been reading this board all day obsessively. 1. Please don't tell me you feel sorry for me that I can't tell anyone...I don't feel that way, I could tell people and I'm sure I would find some support but I have chosen to keep this to myself. My family members are all total health nuts and would disapprove and I really don't feel like being subjected to their judgement. 2. I've been really good about clear liquids, juices, broth...all week and I am starting to go crazy and crave real food again...did anyone else feel this way and did anyone CHEAT? Cuz I just ate a nacho and a bite of a cookie...I KNOW...BAD...somebody keep me on track! 3. The gas and shoulder pain are starting to go away, but I have no energy and I am really just wanting to take a nap. ??? Does this get better? 4. I can REALLY feel my port, it's still pretty swollen and bruised in that area, but I'm afraid it will stick out...doctor told me post surgery that it would...yikes! I didn't know that...I'm into surfing so that's really going to BLOW if it hurts to paddle out on my board :eek: Is there anyone out there who surfs?? :tt1: I mean :tt2: :smile2: I really hope I didn't make a big mistake. 5. I AM HUNGRY!!!! Ok, that's all for now...please write back!!! Storm PS- Due to the SECRET nature of my little escapade across the border, I probably won't be posting any pics but by private email if I happen to make some friends.

It doesn't sound as though people want anything but the best for you. If they were acting the opposite, there would probably be people not happy, either, calling them unsupportive. I hope you are able to find some peace in this.

My family isn't supportive. The only good thing that I have heard from them was from my sister who said "I'm happy for you." I think I will remember that for the rest of my life. My parents haven't really said much. It's mostly "Sooooo.... you're really gonna do it?" I've noticed with other people who have overweight people in their family do not get much support. (I'm not sure if your in-laws are overweight.) I think jealousy gets a big part of people being unsupportive. I really hope things get better for you.

My theory as to why people who have had other types of WLS are unsupportive is that they probably don't want to feel like their decision to have the type of surgery they did was perhaps the wrong choice. After all the information people sift through to make a decision on the type of surgery to have, they don't want to be made to feel like their choice may have been incorrect. I know it sounds odd, but when they have had success with 1 type - that seems to be the one that they will say works the best. Not necessarily true, it just worked for them. Let's face it, there are different types of WLS for different types of situations. If I had been honest, gastric bypass would have been probably the most logical choice for me given the type of eater I was, BUT, that being said, one thing that the Lap Band has done for me is CHANGE the way I eat and what I eat...something that gastric bypass may not have done. With gastric bypass, I don't think I would have changed my eating habits after the "honeymoon" period of being able to lose weight effortlessly and would have piled it right back on. I feel with the Lap Band, it has changed the way I eat, what I eat, and how I eat in a positive way. Will I stray from time to time, oh yes, I'm sure. That's my nature. And when I have, I've been able to reign it in, I don't gain as much as I would have without it, and I'm able to jump right back following the band rules immediately. I'm only 10 months out, still a relative newbie, but the Lap Band has taught me many things that the physicians and the literature don't tell you. They don't tell you that the band will change your mindset, but in my case, it was the tool that has allowed me to eat anything in moderation and be satisfied, and by being able to do that, has helped me overcome many of my food issues. All types of WLS have their purpose. It's just figuring out which one is right for you.

I hear you! I am very lucky in that I volunteer in the nutrition center of my local hospital so the RD's are behind me all the way. My husband on the other hand while not unsupportive is of the "if you just tried harder..." school of thought(he doesn't have a weight problem and hasn't battled it for 20+ years). I was going to keep my surgery to myself as we live in a small town with a big gossip problem, but I felt that I probably should tell the family. BIG mistake - and one you'd think I'd have foreseen considering my sister-in-law has blabbed every confidence any friend has told her. I didn't even get to inform my mother-in-law before blabber-mouth called to tell her. Now everyone knows and feels compelled to ask the What? Why? and recount the "OMG I Heard...Horror Story". And the diet sabotage has begun...last week it was a family birthday dinner at the Outback that I just HAD to go to(per my s-i-l) - didn't. Today it's a phone message from the monster-in-law..."Family dinner tomorrow night...I know you're on your little diet, but maybe you can bring your special food..." - NOT! I'm sending the hubs and renting a movie - saving myself from an evening of BS Q&A! Like most women I do most things for others i.e. the family - But this journey I'm doing for me:thumbup:

i'm so sorry to hear about those who have unsupportive husbands or no one to support them at all. i have a supportive friend who had the lapband last year and my sister is real supportive, too. my husband says he is supportive but sometimes i wonder just how supportive he is cuz he makes comments and stuff that contradict being supportive. i agree with those who mentioned support groups affiliated with your surgeon or hospital. those would probably be a good place to start. and here at lbt... well, it's great here. i wish that i could be a rock for anyone who needs one. maybe we could start a thread of matching "pen pals" for folks who want a kind of "partner/friend" through this journey. it would be on a more personal level than just posting threads and comments. =)

You really have nothing to gain and everything to lose by telling people. By the way, did you notice the study was on 14 women. Not much of a study? But it is true, most will not tell people. Why would you want to? For the most part people will be judgemental, unsupportive, and down right mean.

Hi Nancy, I'm 45 and have struggled with my weight most of my adult life. The turning point was my birthday this year (Nov) when I decided that this was the last year I would be miserable and obese. My BMI is 40 and I'm 5'4". At this point I have no co-morbidities but have had back surgery and my back nearly killed me with pain last summer when work was busy. Can't have another summer like that! On my birthday this year I decided that if I didn't have the surgery I'd be in the same miserable situation next year this time and that for me was the decision maker. After much research, I chose Dr. Aceves as he has an incredible reputation, great experience and works out of a really good hospital. I have spoken with quite a few former patients on the boards and on the phone and no one has had a single complaint or complication or even heard of one, never anything, so for me that made for an easy decision. I think another really good choice is Roberto Rumbaut in Monterrey - also very good reputation and I've done tons of homework. Money is certainly an issue with me as well but I want to know I'm going to be safe and I know I will be with Dr. Aceves. I'm scheduled for March 1. His patients have a group on yahoo which is full of lots of info - http://webmail2.tallships.ca/horde/util/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgroups.yahoo.com%2Fgroup%2FDr-Aceves-bandsters%2F&Horde=8c732f1176f9dee9e8bde971419c625e I think your husband needs to start researching this issue himself because your health is at risk. I am concerned to hear about your stroke. As so many have said, this surgery saved their lives. That is how I'm looking at it. I want to be healthy for the long term and for me this is my best option. Many people are nervous about the idea of friends/family going to Mexico for surgery because they have not researched the Dr.s and hospitals themselves. It's the same as here, good and bad like in any country. Really, have him look hard at Dr. Aceves - he can have no objections once he looks at the facts and talks to patients. Dr. A had a special in Dec. and I paid $8750. My parents are unsupportive and have always just urged me to join a gym, hire a trainer/nutritionist, etc, etc, etc (neither have ever had a weight problem). I'm not telling them about the surgery because of this - I don't need to hear all this again... My husband is supportive because he knows how miserable my weight makes me and is tired of it keeping me/us from doing things. I often avoid going places because I feel embarassed or uncomfortable or don't have anything to wear that can cover, etc... the usual crap. I recently told my best friend of 39 years about the surgery and even she is not supportive - she is a and healer/intuitive and thinks I'm taking the "easy way out" and goes on to say that I should be grateful for what Goddess gifted me with and that voluptuousness is wonderful. I love her so much, but she's 5'4" and weighs in at a whopping 114 lbs. She really can't understand as I think is the case with anyone who has never had a serious weight issue. Anyhow, that's my situation. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to March 1. Today I didn't feel at all nervous about it and would have gladly hoped a plane to go today. I really can't wait. I wish you well, Nancy! Good luck with hubby! Talk to you soon, MJ

WOW, thank god for your post! I was going to the website thinnertimes.com. I posted something similar to yurs and the response was so unsupportive. I guess people forgot about their first few weeks. I have been able to eat what I want also and was scared. My surgery was December 17th and I am supposed to be on pureed but feel like I screwed up by eating. I put myself back on liquids and boy is it hard. I am eating less then i was before but am starving! I am trying though and after this post, feel i am doing ok! I guess it is bandster hell. Thank you, this really helps you get through it. My first fill is Jan 20th and i cannot wait! Hang in there! One day at a time! Thank you again!

I had the same issue unsupportive friend my coworkers have been great. U_ r doing this to better ur self. I think once they see the change in u they will be happy