Barb: Good Luck with your upcoming surgery!!!!!!! I had the DS 4 months ago (9/13/01) and I've lost 70 pounds!! I feel great! I've had zero complications. The weight loss has been totally effortless. I get hungry, I eat, am full quickly and very satisfied. I eat 3 meals a day, plus snacks as needed (mostly protein). I feel normal and I'm sure you'll have the same results. You may even lose weight faster than me. My only advice is to be AWARE of what and how much you are eating the second month after your surgery. Don't become absent-minded and go back to eating too much too quickly and stretch your tummy. The first month, you're sore and swollen and eating a little bit is the way it is. But after the swelling and pain goes away, that's when I sort of forgot about my new smaller stomach and kept finding myself serving up too large of a portion and trying to "finish" it. That's why my best advice is to be mindful of how much you are eating. And, of course, protein first, 8 glasses of water thoughout the day and good old fashioned walks outside in the sunshine! You'll do fantastic!!! And I'll be watching for your updates on the board. Best of luck to you. ~~Bev