shary - sashimi doesn't have rice. and sushi places have other dishes as well..

my view: if you view this as resulting in deprivation, you'll have problems. but if you view this as a challenge, and as a chance to literally start over to learn better habits, you'll do better.

attitude counts for A LOT here. don't get me wrong. some things just don't work, and there's no point in forcing it. but the important thing about going out to dinner with friends, or having them over, is the FRIENDSHIP, not really the food.

keep posting!

Jiffy,
Holy Moly! You GO GIRL! What an inspiration you are! I was pondering the truth of your words and scrolled down to look at what you've accomplished! Well said Oh Wise One! This grasshopper can hope to gleen much wisdom and encouragement from you! I just found out on Friday that I have been accepted as a potential lap band patient, now it's just a matter of when...
Many congratulations on your amazing and encouraging progress! I hope to hear from you again!
Shary

You know girls,
I was just wondering.... Did any of you keep this a secret from friends?
I've told two people so far. One a family member (so someone knows where I am if something goes terribly wrong in surgery), and the other my best friend. I don't want anyone else to know. I'm not sure why exactly, whether it's because I'm afraid they'll judge, or think I'm crazy, or think I'm weak.... yeah.. I guess it's because I'm just afraid they'll make judgements period. YET, I know that when Al Rocher (the morning show guy) announced that he was going to have WLS, I and most of America were rooting for him and happy for him. Why am I so freaky about not wanting anyone to know? Anyone out there that can relate?

Remember when you tell folks, they tend to watch and comment on every morsal you put in your mouth LOL.

Great Prayer Leenie... I prayed it as I read it.

I have told more people than I intended to in the beginning. Not the world, but the people who 'matter' in my life. My mom, brothers, closest friends. These are people we see regularly and I figured while I know they are going to be nosey (part of why I love them) I also know they are going to be incredibly supportive. These are the people it will be ok for me to have a PB in front of (God forbid).

May I jump in here? I am considering the surgery as well and am going to a seminar on Thursday evening. I appreciate all who have posted about their experiences.

JiffyPop, I am in North Jersey as well. Bergen county. Where about's are you. I'd love to hear more about your experiences.

Lots to comment on here.

Sushi - I love sushi! I eat it sometimes. For me the trick is to eat very, very slowly. When you think you're eating slowly, slow down more. I usually unwrap the roll, because the Nori (seaweed wrapper stuff) gives me more trouble than the rice does. Again, eat it very, very slowly. I like that with sushi and sashimi you get a lot of "bang for the buck" because you can add such great condiments. I love, love, love wasabi, pickled ginger and soy sauce. So much flavor, such little bites!

That said, there are times I can't eat it, no matter how slowly I eat. The band is a very fickle beast, so you've just got to be prepared for anything.

As for telling people - I told very few. Like Leenie said, people tend to police every morsel if they know and I might have to take someone out if they did that to me. My husband, kids, brother and parents know. They don't think twice about what I'm eating or not eating. There's no way in the world I'd tell me in-laws. Nope, not happening!

Jif, did you ever know that you're my hero? You're everything I wish I could be. I could fly ... oh wait, getting carried away here, thank you Bette Midler! You are absolutely (as usual) right. It's all about the attitude. For the first time in my adult life, I'm free of that horrible feeling of deprivation. It's a wonderful place to be!

The Chickster

Melmcc.... I'm from jersey too... haven't we talked before?

everybody in the WORLD knows [well, almost everyone!]. i lost so much, so fast that it was sooo noticeable [another good thing about the band - the slower loss is less dramatic, and you'll get more compliments than 'what on earth is WRONG with you!]

and shary, i'm sitting here at work, in beautiful office park MONTVALE! so we are very very near each other.

Aint it the truth Jiffypop ain't it the truth

Sorry I took so long to answer ... I've been crazy busy the past week.

I don't have any regrets at all - beyond the regret that I waited until I was 310 pounds to do this instead of doing it when I was 280 pounds.

I started researching adjustable gastric banding before it was even available in the U.S. It was the only type of WLS that seemed right for me. So after about 8 years of thinking, reading, praying and procrastinating I just decided to "go for it" and I am very glad that I did.

I still eat sushi but I try to stick to traditional sushi and steer clear of the rolls because like The Chickster I have more problems with nori than with rice. Though I have heard that there is a type of edible rice paper that they use in Japan that is easier to eat than the nori. I don't know if it is true or not but I plan on asking my favourite sushi chef if it is!

I still eat out with friends. In fact I think I enjoy eating more now than I did before because I actually eat slowly enough to taste my food, to savour my food, to enjoy my food. I'm having to make some adjustments and to learn some new things, of course. But I try to look at it as a challenge (like Jiffy said) rather than a hurdle, obstacle or means of deprivation.

I have to admit that I tell people I've had surgery. Especially when the person who is complimenting me on my weight loss and asking how I've lost weight is overweight themselves. I would hate to give someone the impression that all I've done is "count calories" or "cut out carbs" or what have you. I'd rather that they know that I was desperate to change my life and I chose to use a tool to help me acheive my goals.

Hey Girls!
Chick - you cracked me up. I laughed out loud.
Did I tell you all that the surgical team accepted me as a band patient?!
I'm SO relieved. I'm counting on you girls to be here to mentor me with all the wise things you've learned. Looking at June surgery if all goes well.

Yeah... the telling people thing... I wasn't always fat. Don't get me wrong, I ALWAYS struggled to be at a somewhat normal weight... I remember dieting at the age of 12 (I was chubby). People used to talk about my mother (especially family members) when she started getting fat (she's morbidly obese now and in serious denial). Anyway, the family still talks about it. "Poor Pat (that's my mom), she used to be so pretty... too bad she got so fat... ", or "too bad she can't take off that weight." I suspect they say the same thing about me these days... and as much as I love them, I'm sure it would be quite the buzz if the family knew that poor Shary had to go to such lengths to take off that weight... Oddly, the rest of them aren't fat and never have been. I love them, but they really don't get it. And like Chick... even though I love them, if they started to make comments on every bit if food I put in my mouth... well, it would be ugly... very ugly... So, for now ALL of you anonymous friends know... My best friend knows and my stepmom knows (and is very supportive of it). Will keep you all posted.
Shary

I told everybody who would listen I was having the surgery.....and I still tell anybody who will listen I had the surgery. Something happened to me when I turned 50. I'm not sure what it was but I stopped caring so much what people thought or what they said. Ya know... a drunk can sober up and nobody knows he's a drunk...and a mean person can walk down the street and nobody knows what's inside him/her. My issues with weight were visible all the time to everybody. So...if they need to make themselves believe their problems are less than mine ....pity them. They would be better off sweeping around their own back door before they go messing around mine LOL. Just don't let them push your buttons. I know it can be hard...and sometimes I don't always win the battle with myself....but progress is the important thing. Try blessing them. It works wonders !!! If you can get to the place where you can laugh.....it takes the punch out it for them. Unfortunately, they'll find somebody else to pick on.

I had my surgery two weeks ago. I have lost 18 pds. if you include the liquid diet the week before. I have started very soft foods like mashed potatoes and puree consistency. I lost 8 pds the week after the surgery. I have stayed the same for several days. I have been measuring my food with the half cup measuring cup. I have not had any side effects. I guess I am scared that since I read somewhere about the mashed potatoes being bad for you, am I strectching the stomach?