Please post some information that we new folks should know ---POSITIVE WOULD BE GREAT!

Thanks Kate.  I will try to be realistic.  Thanks for posting the article I have already read and printed it out.  Congrats on your success.

My advice is to learn when you are really physicallly hungry and not having head hunger.  If you can get good at knowing the difference you will do great, because you really won't be hungry very much!  Know that you can live well on a small amount of food and have more energy than if you had eaten a large meal.
What used to be a normal meal is now huge and what used to be a huge person (you!) will be normal!
Also, don't feel that everyone must go through Bandster Hell - there is an element of dieting here, don't fool yourself and don't feel sorry for yourself!
When people tell you that you look GREAT! - believe them!

Wow Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.  You put that very well.  The huge/normal is perfect.  Which would you rather---right?

Obviously this journey is about getting healthier. But it is OKAY to want the things that go along with it, like not being so self conscious of our appearance in social settings, fitting into a restaurant booth, moving easily, buying pretty clothes, etc.

Here are a few things I learned on my journey:

1. For a good 2 weeks post op, my tummy was so bloated; I was worried the bloating would never go away and I would never lose any weight. Turns out that's a total normal the weight does eventually start to come off and the bloating goes away.

2. I second Bette on the "I'm going to fail this too" deal.  Oh, the things we love to torment ourselves with.   Even further out with some weight loss if you start comparing yourself to others you will have to be careful to not to think you are "failing" or not doing as good as someone else.

Take care and best of luck to you!

Trixie

I had surgery on 1/28/2011 and am now out just a little over 2 weeks.  The pre-op diet was very hard for me mentally.   My surgeon requested 2 full weeks of liquid only.   I was not use to being hungry, but as mentioned after day 3 the hunger got easier but the head hunger still haunted me.  I realized after surgery how important this step was.  Not only for the safety reasons your surgeon states but for the mental journey to learn to eat less.  

Since my surgery I have not been hungry at all, I am unsure if this is normal but it's a nice blessing after being hungry for years.   I was 268 prior to my liquid pre op diet and am 238 as of this morning.  

Good luck on your journey. 

All the advice here is great - I would add find an exercise you like and enjoy it, work your way up slowly and before you know it you will be doing it 5 times a week.  I love it now and can't wait to do something every day.

Be realistic in your expectations and don't get discouraged when the weight loss stalls - that has happened to me 4 times and I only had surgery 5 months ago - December I lost nothing, that can be perfectly normal for some people.  Stay positive.  I wish you all the best!

Lori 

 
Here is my story:

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/failed_wls_second_time_around/4295389/Failed-Band/