TerriDoodle

Yep! I follow the rule!! If I get desperate, I'll have just enough of a sip to moisten my mouth...probably no more than a tablespoon...and I'll only do that once or twice during a meal. Most times I just don't even have a drink on the table so that I"m not tempted. I do admit, that it's the hardest part about being banded, but not impossible.

Faith -- You're so smart!

You were beautiful then but you're even more beautiful now! Congratulations!

You need to call your own doctor for clarification....they all have different guidelines.

TracyK - I'm off on Friday, too!!! I told my mom I'd come visit with her,but maybe I should come with you instead!! We didn't get a drop of rain on my side of town today (YET). We even had a pool going at the office to see what time it would start, and it never did! I swear ya'll...I AM going to make myself a WWJD bracelet! (I bead.) I'll take a pic of it for you whenever I finish it. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OUR CRUISE IDEA??? What floats out of Norfolk?

Ok, so who needs a WWJD (What would Judy do?) bracelet??? Or how about a charm for your bracelet?? Oh, this is too good!! I might just have to get a charm.

Tracy - Spivak isn't in the ofc until tomorrow. I hope I get a chance to make it over there. I think I know the shirt you're talking about!! It IS cute! I tried on something like that before but with my little boobies it didn't look so good.

OK, so I had to run to the mall during lunch (stupid clerk neglected to remove the security tag from some new pants I bought on Sun.). It's 12:45 and I need to get back to the office. I'm starving but, worse, I'm dying of thirst!! So I stop in Jack in the Box to get some tea and there's 3 people ahead of me. I'm thinking, "Man, I sure am hungry. I could really go for some tacos. I've got tuna at the office, but those TACOS sure look good. I love JIB tacos. Tuna....? ....or tacos? Tuna? or Tacos?? Hmmmmmmm." Then it hit me: WWJD?? What Would Judy Do?? I'm eating tuna at my desk.

The spot is still there! I'm going to try to "run" over to his office around lunchtime tomorrow and have him take a look at it. Not easy to do in Houston traffic!!

WOW! That is so cool!!! I wonder what particular food it was that made such a difference? Probably wheat/carbs .... they are usually the culprit! I'm happy for you! ....and that is exactly why I started this thread. Well, that, plus it's good for us on the other side to take inventory every once in awhile! It's hard for pre-op newbies sometimes to take such a huge step and the testimony of those on the other side is very motivating and reassuring. Good luck to you and let us know how we can help!

When I look at my weight loss chart, I notice that my weight ALWAYS goes up before it goes down to a new number. Jenn - Already going back down to 1000? If you're working at the gym so hard, why not try keeping it at 1200+ for a week or so? I think you're just getting run down! ....but you know best, I'm sure. Kat - Uh, sounds like you've got the exercise thing covered!! For the record, that broccoli salad I posted is raw broccoli. And your stuffed zucchinni sounds so good! I wish I was more imaginative in the kitchen. :/ I can cook, I just can never think what to cook! Nor do I enjoy cooking 'cause I never have the time to do it right. These days DH and I are both at the gym at dinner hour, home about 7:00 then I've got to eat something real quick so it's digested before bedtime. Oh! To be retired!!

Isn't that a BEAUTIFUL thing??? CONGRATS!!

TracyKS - Got plans for the gym in the AM??? Kat - How are your workouts going???? Who else around here needs an a$$ kicking??

Josie - Have fun in DC!! TracyK - :wave: Hiiii!! Michelle - At my age I don't give a rat's .....uh....I don't care what anyone else thinks about how I look at the gym or in the pool. I see girls actually PRIMPING in the locker room before they work out...fixing their hair and makeup. It's ridiculous. Anyway...enjoy your class tomorrow! That sounds great! Jenn - I do hope you feel better tomorrow! Just feel drained or what? No word on the construction job? Haydee - I LOVE cranberries - thanks for the tip! I'm going to try that! Pamela - Man! sounds like ya'll worked hard today! You'll sleep good, that's for sure. How long will DP be in town? I enjoyed my workout tonight. I just did cardio but what was cool was that I had to work harder to get my heartrate up to 125 and that's a GOOD thing! While I was on the X-trainer this young thang gets on the one next to me. She's going slower than I am, huffing and puffing, sweating...and I look over and her heart rate was 170!! She only lasted about 10 minutes -- I went for 25 + another 15 on the cycle! I am just the greatest thing since sliced bread, aren't I? :humble: :humble: :humble:

yes, I had pretty good restriction after my 1st fill...and my second....but both went away within a week or two. This third fill of mine seems to be holding well, but it was pretty darn tight for a couple of weeks!

Yes, for the most part it is true. I just had enchiladas the other night and I'm pretty tight right now. I do have my problem foods, such as eggs and white chicken, but I have learned to find other foods I like! I'm now a tilapia lover -- who woulda thought? Really, it has not been a big concern for me at all. But I can think of more than a few posts where people were upset by their now-"limited" choices. My belief is that these people only liked 5 different dishes and now 3 have been taken away...or something like that. They're not willing to try something new !! So what I say to you is that you won't have problems as long as you are willing to expand your horizons IN CASE it turns out you are unable to eat a FEW of your favorite foods. Only you know YOU. I thought it would be pretty difficult to give up soft drinks. Haven't missed them one little bit. I miss the convenience of sandwiches, but not the taste.

Tracy! I'm so proud of you!! My favorite way to eat broccoli is just with butter, lemon and salt. Must have lemon. You are just being a model Violet! Has anyone ever had that broccoli/raisin salad?? Oh my that's so yummy. I've always wanted to make that. Here's the recipe: <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="99%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #dddd9d 2px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; BORDER-TOP: #eeeece 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-SIZE: 18px; BORDER-LEFT: #eeeece 1px solid; COLOR: #8caa9e" noWrap align=left bgColor=#ffffcc>BROCCOLI - BACON - RAISIN SALAD</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #eeeece 1px solid"> </TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #dddd9d 2px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; PADDING-LEFT: 20px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 20px; BORDER-LEFT: #eeeece 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 20px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #dddd9d 2px solid" bgColor=#ffffcc colSpan=2><!----><!--BROCCOLI - BACON - RAISIN SALAD--> 1 bunch fresh broccoli, washed, drained, broken into flowerettes 1/2 c. chopped onion 1 lb. bacon fried crisp, drained, and crumbled 1/2 c. hulled sunflower seeds 1/2 c. raisins DRESSING: 3/4 c. mayonnaise 1/4 c. sugar 2 tbsp. vinegar Combine salad ingredients together in large bowl; set aside. Combine dressing ingredients together thoroughly. Pour dressing over salad ingredients; stir to blend. Serve chilled. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Of course, good little Violets would reduce the calories and fat by reducing the amt. of bacon, using light mayo and Splenda....but I'm tellin' ya, this is good!

Isn't that just the CUTEST THING!!!???!?!?! Awww!!!

I love my gym for the variety it offers because I get bored easily. I also have been working with a trainer and that is the best thing I have done for myself (after the band, of course)! It's all pretty expensive ($180/mo) but I spent that on food before and this is a much better investment.

I never was much into tapes, but the "Walk Away The Pounds" series is pretty good....the chatter gets kinda old after awhile though.

This is what my food will look like today: Bkfst: 4% cottage cheese, raspberries w/ Splenda: 153 cals, 17g protein Lunch: Wasa Multi-Grain Crispbread w/ 2 Tbsp crunchy peanut butter: 235 cals, 18g protein Mid-afternoon snack: Boost Glucose Control Drink: 190 cals, 17g protein Dinner: 3 italian style meatballs, marinara sauce & parmesan, spring mix salad w/ oil & vinegar 565 calories, 28g protein Total calories: 1143 carbs: 67g fiber 17g protein: 80g Exercise will be cycle + elliptical for about 300 calories. Net calories for the day should be around 892. (You think I'd be a rail by now!!)

Good Morning Everyone! I slept like a log last night ... felt great. Did you think of me???? :eyebrows: GOOD!!:whip: (and WAY TO GO on that weight loss, girlfriend!! Way to go!!! ) YIKES!! Is she always like that? Michelle - OR......you could just blow it all off and make it a ME Day. I vote for that. Kat - I'll try to see the Dr. on Thursday. It's real busy at my office now and he's almost a 2 hour round trip. I'm not worried about the mark, I just want to know what it IS!!! So glad to hear about Kinsey. How is DD now?

Great, Denise!! Now....remember....take it slow. Especially with risky foods (high Fiber, fresh veggies, meats, etc) take a bite or two and then WAIT to see how it does. Go really slow between bites until you KNOW it's ok. Trust me on this. And remember...things can change at any time! You may find that you get more restriction over the next few days and then it may ease up again. It's a whole different ball game with real good restriction and you do have to be careful to avoid sliming. What you ate today may not be ok tomorrow but will be ok again in a week. It's crazy. Tracy - If you look that good after push mowing your lawn, then you DESERVE to post that picture in your signature!! You are just so cute and you have beautiful eyes! Where is Laura? I thought she was back???! Guess now that she's a sophisticated married lady she doesn't need us anymore. Or did she go on a honeymoon somewhere...after Vegas? Wonder how Sara is doing. I'm pooped. G'night all.

Let's say Cafe Express if you don't mind. I never get to eat there and it's one of my favorite spots! Plus, they have lots of healthy choices. Escalante, not so much. Oh Goody! This will be fun! Sorry to you other violets. We'll take pics, ok? Will that help? And we'll try NOT to have any fun and we DEFINITELY won't talk about any of YOU! OK? :lie:

Thanks, Lynn. The nurse was mystified. She asked me to come in on Thursday (Dr. Spivak is on vacation 'til then). So I"ll report back after my visit with him.