TerriDoodle

That's just what I've been thinking lately, too! DH and I eat out for 95% of our meals and although I was always trying to make healthy choices apparently there is no such thing on most menus! After eating 800 cals/day for 4 weeks, even w/o restriction...and surviving....I realize just how much garbage I did eat. I am so happy to have this band, and i am even happier that I'm getting filled on Friday. I have really been going hog wild for the past few days and it's gotta stop. I'm gonna go count my calories now...even though I don't want to.

The only state requiring the info right now is New York. The others are all still pending I think.

Laura - You should be able to find recipe books called "3 Ingredient Cookbook" or "4 Ingredient Cookbook"....like that....I remember when I was a youngster like you I had one. Wait...here's a link for one on half.com: http://product.half.ebay.com/Essential-3-Ingredient-Cookbook-4-Ingredient-Cookbook-5-Ingredient-Cookbook_W0QQprZ57160910QQtgZinfo I hate to cook, too. Welcome to the club. I found info about "menu labeling" for restaurant chains....and what kind of legislation is out there. Apparently it has to be legislated by each individual state and some states are more interested in menu labeling than others. (Hell will probably freeze over before Texas does it...we don't wanna know what's in our chicken fried steak!) And, as you can imagine, the Restaurant Association has a large and active lobbying effort against it. I found out which states have bills pending on their website, if you're interested: http://www.restaurant.org/government/state/nutrition/bills_labeling.cfm

Yes, I got the same type of reply when i asked Jason's Deli for their info. I think it should be a RIGHT to know what we're putting in our bodies and the restaurants should be compelled to provide the info. Wonder if there's any legislation out there now? Seems like there should be. We're having a board meeting in our office for the next two days....which, for me, spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Wonderful, rich buffets for bkfst and lunch and cookies set out all other times. Being in bandster hell I am hungry just about all the time and have already blown it today. Two kolaches. I'm not feeling well either (sore throad & allergies) and am tied to my desk while all this food is about 15 ft. away from me at all times. #%*@!!!!!

Laura -- That's what I did when I plugged in my favorite Pei Wei salad! 900-something calories!!! No wonder American are so flippin' fat!! I am so grateful to have the band now. So so grateful. Good for you for throwing it out!! Bravo!

I have an idea....if we can't rename this thread, why dont we ask that this thread be locked and then the last post can refer readers to our new thread...Shrinking Violets of 4/07 (or whatever). I can't wait to get filled on Friday...I haven't even bothered to count calories the last couple of days because I've eaten so much! Well, that's relative, of course. Probably still no more than 1200 calories but it seems like SO much compared to 600-800!! Wierd, huh? Scale is still bouncing between 201-203. Boring Boring Boring.

I dunno... can you change a title of a thread?? Maybe a moderator can. You're just in a smackin' mood, arent you?

Judy - you can ask a moderator to delete the thread if you want...or we can ask to lock this one up....otherwise we'll have to visit two places to catch up on everything!

As far as the May exercise challenge goes, I think everyone should come up with their own challenge, don't you? I mean, what's challenging for one person might not be at all for another....so just set your own goals and you police yourself! Just post in your signature how you're coming with your goal as the month wears on. For instance, my goal for May is to work out 5x a week to burn 300+ cals/day. May has 4.5 weeks. So my challenge is 22 sessions of 40+ minutes on the elliptical and to start weights when doc gives me the OK. During April I my goal was 14 sessions of 30+ minutes.

LUNASA - Chardonnay, girlfriend!! CHARDONNAY! Don't know what a "langer" is...but I can guess!! LOL I think I"m one too! Congrats on the weight loss -- isn't it wonderful?? So happy for you! KAT - Thanks for affirming for us that this is a special group of people. Aren't we just the coolest?? Glad to have you here with us. I am SO sorry to hear things with DH are not miraculously resolving Ya'll are in my prayers!

Most of those tests, dieticians, psychologists, etc. are required by the insurance companies. If you're self-pay many times you don't have to go thru all that. I was like betsyjane....no pre-op anything except for a low-carb diet. I have co-morbidities but not anything serious like diabetes or uncontrolled high BP.

Hi Brenners! Congratulations on getting banded. The surgery is now behind you...that's a good feeling! ....well, it will be as soon as all that stinkin' pain goes away! Ask your pharmacist what he recommends for relief of gas...I'm sure you have good products there, just not Gas-X. Does anyone have their box handy? What's the main ingredient in Gas-X?? I don't have it here. The heart attack feeling you had is probably a bit of acid reflux and/or indigestion. It would help to sleep propped up until you get a bit farther along. Hang in there ...it DOES get much better.

BTW, Anybody from the Shrinking Violets want to join a May exercise challenge? Just set your own goals for the month and update your signature to let us all know how you're coming along! Those of you who are just banded need to be reminded to take it easy (TRACY!!!) but walking is good! Nobody should be doing weights or swimming until you get the clear OK from your doctor. We gotta all get used to keeping these new bodies of ours moving!

Ah yes, the famous Mock Danish! I've had my share of those!! Thanks for the reminder, Tracy...that is a good mushie! Judy - You absolutely crack me up!! "oh honey....my bo-bo's hurt sooooo bad! Can you cook and clean and do the laundry ..." ROFL!! Ok, here's a new one for ya'll.....I'm 3.5 weeks out, right...and my incisions are all healed very nicely....except for one of the little ones that has a tiny bit of a stitch hanging out of it!!!! AAACK! So it won't heal properly and its right at my waistline and constantly irritated. When I go in for my fill I'll certainly ask them to do something about it...but what a pain in the patootey!! Somebody please take note that I reached (exceeded) my exercise goals for April!?! I worked HARD for that! I never used to be an exercise person...at all. But BEHOLD!! I DO A NEW THING!!

Banded on April 4th and have had a picture perfect recovery. No problems at all....outside of normal pain....and am looking forward to my first fill on May 4th!

Shawna - My port is exactly the same way...LOL...yes, and I feel like I could do my own fills too!!

I can only pass along what my doctor told me....no weights or swimming for at least 4 week post op and even then to start off REAL slow. I have been doing the cycle and elliptical in the gym until that time.

Uh, go to the top, click on User CP. Then go to "edit profile". Second box down is "optional information"....and there's a box there where you can put custom info under your name.

Ok, somebody needs to pat me on the back! Since joining the gym a couple of weeks ago, I have not missed one single scheduled workout...not even today when I was hungover from wine last night!! AND...I've met my goal for April. :humble:

I already am a Shrinking Violet!! ...look under my user name! Teach - that scar that still hurts...between ur boobies might very well be where your port is. That's where mine is and is the only one that is still tender.

(((KAT)))) I am so very sorry to hear about your husband! You both are in my prayers. Please let us know how he's doing whenever you can.

A three week stall, especially at your low BMI, is not unusual. Just be patient. I remember being stalled for two months (on a different diet a few years ago)...then suddenly in one week I lost 6#!! After you get your fill you probably won't be able to eat bagels and breads anymore....I've heard a lot of people have problems with that.

Oh, good for you Flax!!! Nice to have that behind you now!! Best wishes for a smooth recovery! Get lots of good rest this weekend! Mary and Michelle - OF COURSE you can hang out with us guys! I'd be ticked off if you left us now!!

Probably just about every single one of us!!! Try not to worry....really....I know that's easier said than done, but try. Discuss your 'nerves' with the staff and they will take very good care of you. Before you know it, it's all over!! They give you some nice drugs in your IV and, believe me, you won't care WHAT they do!!

We missed you, Tracy!!! WELCOME BACK!! Can you believe it? After ALL that anticipation, you're finally DONE!!! ....well, sorta. Now you have a bit of post-op stuff to deal with but maybe you'll be like Teachlady and sail right through!! I'm happy for you! Ditto what others have said....since you're going back to work so quickly, you'll definitely want to get as much rest as possible. You'll be glad you did! PS - my first fill is May 4th (a week from today!). Am I the first one??