Just wanted to say a few words to those of you who are hesitant to have any type of weight loss surgery.  The freedom you will feel after the weight starts coming off will astound you.  Yes, freedom from the tyrannical hold that food has over you.

Don't get me wrong, I still love to eat.  But I see food in a different light than before.  I eat to gain the nutrients I need for strength, energy and  health.  I have control over it, it doesn't control me.  Before my GBP I thought about food constantly.  Now, if I remember to eat before noon it's a miracle.

I have lost 120 lbs in 18 months, most of that came off in the first 6 months after my surgery.  Yes it will slow down the closer you get to your goal.  It won't stop, it will slow down. 

I do want to share something with all of you to make you aware of something that will sabotage your weight loss.  In December 09 I had surgery for something that required Vicodin for pain control for several months because the recovery was excrutiating.

The pain med worked very well and numbed me inside so I couldn't feel the pouch expanding.  I was eating all the time and not feeling the fullness that I normally would have felt.

I can see how someone who has difficulty with substance abuse would not lose, or would gain the weight back.

Do yourself a favor:  if you have any difficulty with alcohol, painkillers or street drugs get clean for good before you have this surgery and expect lasting results.

I've been off the vikes for 2 weeks have noticed the bloating lessening and detoxification process increasing.  Thankfully there was no weight gain during my recovery period and I can move along with my weight loss again - 30 lbs to goal!