MeredithMcFee

I got the cheese sauce and used it in with Hormel's fat freeTurkey Chili. It wasn't too bad but I used it later with something else, I can't recall, and it just wasn't that great. It was a temporary fix but not for long term. If I want melted cheese, I use Borden's fat free cheddar slices.

I liked it too! The only thing I didn't like was the fact you had to drink it lukewarm, no higher the 120-30 degrees. {basically lukewarm} I like my food hot for the most part, especially soups. The reason being for the low temp is due to weakening the protein. Like waterchik said, it saved me actually postop. I always put fresh chopped parsley in it to give it a little more taste.

Thanks Brandi, I guess I better get on it and sign up for it too.

I had my thyroid removed due to Thyroid Ca back in 2004 and I'm also on replacement meds. When thinking of doing this surgery I wasn't sure if I would be able to lose weight but so far, {8 weeks ago had surgery I'm losing at a nice pace and am in my late 50's. I mix up my exercise from powerwalking, jogging and walking on treadmill and doing the Leslie Sansone video workouts as well as lifting hand weights. Perhaps you need to lower your calorie intake and up your exercise. Having said that, the good thing is you seem to be stabilizing, not going up more then the 3-4 lbs. I would die to be in a size 10. Right now I'm between a 16 & 18 and my weight is in my hips, butt and thighs with a smaller top. It's all relative isn't? Good luck to you

I probaby can too but won't allow myself. I make sure I always have protein in my meals as protein is also known for holding your appetite hours longer. My DH and I went out to dinner the other night { his 1st week PO from having his lapband surgery} to one of our favorite family places. I typically order a crock of their french onion soup and a 10 oz cheddar burger with fries and use to eat everything and sometimes even had dessert! I ordered the soup and the cheddar burger without bun or fries. I ate the soup and was full. The burger came and I had two little bites and took the rest home for lunch and dinner yesterday. I'm sure I was always full after having the crock of soup beforehand but my mindset was set to eat everything!

I typically use the powder protein and add water, not milk, #1. I but the other pre-made one's that I'll grab when I know I'm going to be out for a few hours and I get hungry. I sometimes just eat a hardboiled egg with some hummus for breakfast. Sometimes I can only eat a half one, and save the other half for my mid morning snack. I have a few teaspoons of tuna fish with REAL Mayo {there are just some things that I will not compromise on} with a few wheat thin crackers from Trader Joe's or Nabisco. Dinner might be a cup or so of Hormel Turkey chili. Since having my first fill I no longer can eat steamed chicken from the Chinese restaurant which I enjoyed. However, like steamed shrimp and broccoli in it's place. I then have another powdered protein drink at night which has 27 gms of protein for one scoop. And drink lots of water. So far, so good for me.

You're not dumb, it's a whole new learning experience on here. It's a great website www.fitnesspal.com that many of us are on here. It keeps track of food, weight, journaling, calories, activities, etc. For me, I've find it's fun and keeps me REAL. I love to see the daily progress when I enter the information. Look it up and check it out.

I've been using the Fitness Pal since surgery in late January. Like Corilinn, I never journaled food for any diet over the years. Did it maybe a few days then found it to be a bother. For some reason, I have been faithful journaling my food and love all the tools Fitness Pal offers us. I have modified the calorie intake to 800 cals a day. When I exercise, typically every other day in the gym, I will eat more calories. On the alternate days I'm less active, although my FitBit tells me I've been active, I try to eat between 800-900 calories a day. So far it's been working for me. Sorry to hear that a few of you here don't have the support from your nutrionist. I've shared a few things with my nutritionist who works in conjunction with the WLS center I go to, and she was fine with it. Yes, I too, put a Tblsp of natural peanut butter and a half of a small bananna in my protein chocolate shake after a good workout. Yes, I have a cup of coffe every morning. And yes, I eat hummus everyday with a hardboiled egg, wheat thins or celery. Of course, it's all in moderation. But it's a hell of a lot better then what & how much I was eating prior to the surgery. And being 100% more active to boot!

Shanda, you are too funny. I feel the same way about my BFF, the fitbit. I finally found it in the pocket of my robe where I left it before taking my shower but forgot I left it in there. Yeah! The Fitbit is my world. My DH doesn't understand the extent of my love for the fitbit as he mentioned to me this morning. He bought one but it's still in the package with the receipt. Don't think he's going to get into it. It's like music to me. I lived near the ocean and would powerwalk the boardwalk for exercise with my cassette and earphones. Once I forgot to check the batteries and half way through my walk to Thriller, it died on me. I was paralyzed! I couldn't do the walk without my music and had to walk home without finishing. Never again did I do that. Like my music, I was lost without my fitbit last night. I know, a little dramatic but you get the point. Thank you for the advise on the on the premium feature. Might have to look into that.

I should of clairfied my question. I have the fitbit,{ or shall I say, did have, but think I lost it this afternoon and am very upset about} and love it but was wondering if it was worth the extra money to buy the premium feature. Skkcs, you have it and use the trainer feature? I love everything about the fitbit but wasn't sure if I should go and buy the premium feature for the year. Hoping I find my fitbit,{ my BFF} in the laundry basket when I do the laundry in the a.m.

Just wondering if anyone bought FitBit's Premium plan and if so, do you like it?

I was diagnosed with ADD about 15 yrs ago in my early 40's.I never took any medications, however, for me, I think it was more a matter of self esteem,or lack thereof, and not beating myself up. Understanding it, and going on as best I could. I have my moments of not focusing but I have to agree with Wineguyd, you overcome many obstacleswhen making the choice to have lap band surgery. Being healthy, active and feeling good about one's self, is focus enough. Good luck. You will do fine as long as you go into this being dedicated and using lap band as a tool.

perhaps because there's vinegar in mustard. Who knows....

Thanks for the info, Cyndie, re: Macy's. L.B. has been my "go to" store for jeans for the past 5 years and forget there are other stores to shop. :-) Something that I am looking forward to re-programming my mind to in the future. A wise woman taught me year's ago that no body is perfect and most women can not just buy clothes off a rack, especially slacks, jeans, pants... and have them perfectly fit our bodies thin or heavy. Because I was blessed with a bodacious booty and thighs, and a small waist, I typically have to have my slacks tailored so I have no gaps in the back or don't have to wear a belt if I don't care to. The reason why I liked the Right Fit {blue} at Lane Bryant. I agree, L.B. is definitely not cheap! I can't wait to go shopping at Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Target etc. where the clothes are cheaper the more I lose.

Congrats Cyndie, I'm right behind you. Had my NSV last Friday night. Had to break down and get a pair of jeans as my size 18 from Lane Bryant were just too big. Went to a consignment shop 1st but no luck. Found a great pair of Seven jeans at Lane Bryant in size 16! I typically have to buy the Right Fit so I don't have to pay a tailor but I broke the bank and went for the Seven jeans as they fit just right. When I get down to a size 14W, I'll put the money out for a tailor to take them in and get more wear out of them. I wore them yesterday and I felt like a million bucks!

Welcome aboard Colleen. This is a great support group filled with so much information and positive re-enforcement here. One of our own here, Jean McMillan wrote a book called Bandwagon which you can find on the ads here. It's a great "bible" if you will, to have on hand before, during and after having the lapband. I would highly suggest you buy it as there's so much information in it that we all can relate to. Good luck on your journey.

Congrats to you Jason. Happy Birthday. That's awesome for a birthday present. I got my 1st fill on my birthday last week and that was a great gift.

There are days after a good workout{hour of cardio and weights} I feel I need more then just a protein shake, my breakfast consists of a chocolate shake made with skim plus milk, a tablespoon of peanut butter and a half of a very small bananna with crushed ice blended. I mentioned this to my nutritionist and she was fine with it. I don't do it every day but it's a nice treat as the FF milk, bananna & PB adds calories. Only when my FitBit tells me I've gone over the amount of my daily intake, I'll do it. :-)

Happy Birthday. My birthay was Thursday and I turned 57. Decided to do the surgery a few months back so I can hopefully enjoy the next 30+ years with more energy. As other's have said, I am tired of being tired. I am tired of sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else having fun and I'm tired of food always my priority in life. With this tool,this website, I am hoping to learn to Eat to live, and no longer living to EAT! It's a new year and hopefully a new me!

I love my FitBit! I only found out about it from being on this wonderful site. It keeps me real, I never journaled my food before lap band and I think the FitBit encourages me to do it as it offers so many features to help us lose weight. It's typically sold for $99.00 on Amazon, Fit Bit.com and Best Buy but I just looked at Amazon and they have them on sale for under $95.00 for a short time only. Although it's just a few dollars, it's a save. Many of us got on the bandwagon, if you will, around the same time after someone mentioning here and we all love it! Nicki823: That's great that you're getting ready before your surgery. All I could think about at that time was what foods, or shall I say liquids I should have on hand. Pollywog: Seeing your ticker tape, you obviously are doing something to keep the "sun" going down on your daisies. :-) Good luck!

Ironically, I'm 6 weeks out this Friday. My first fill is this Thursday which is my birthday. I contemplated rescheduling it for next week but decided to not to. I'm thinking of it as my gift to myself. I don't want to make any more excuses to go out for a birthday dinner and order one of my favorite meals, Mac&Cheese with Lobster before I'm restricted. I've made too many excuses in the past. Happy Birthday to you Shap

Allison kudos to you for your weight loss and a great idea from you and other's here re: thrift shops while we go through this ever evolving transformation. Having said that, I think I have a "treasure trove" of clothes in all different sizes in the back of my closet, my attic, and who knows where else. :-) I might have to spend some time rummaging through and sizing them accordingly as I slowly melt down in sizes. I, too, have a goal set for spring to see a hair sylist/colorist for a new "do". Back to the thrift shop, I can't wait to drop off my larger sizes for someone who can use them and make room in my closet for my thinner clothes.

I thought the same thing when I originally quoted your post. Let's keep it going {down.down, down} and share our next few week accomplishments or as they say here, NSV's.

A friend of mine shared this with some friends and myself back in November as she has a hair loss problem. She was taking the 500mcg daily for some time. I decided to do it as I have thyroid issues and noticed my hair falling out {prior to surgery}. I went to the drug store and found Biotin 5000mcg and decided on buying that. Of course, the old mentalitiy, whether it be eating or anything, bigger is better. I've been using it up until the last two weeks or so as I've noticed my hair drying out. I'm not sure if it's from the biotin because my Dr switched me from one anti-depressant med to Cymbalta around the same time I started with Biotin. I'm actually doing a process of elimination to see if it's one or the other, or perhaps the two together. Who knows. But I will say, I did notice an improvement in my hair in thickness even after having the surgery in late January.

Same applies here. My husband is scheduled for mid March too. He's getting excited and making sure he does everything right for his pre-op liquid diet next week. I had mine 5 weeks ago and am so happy I did. Like you, and many of us who have had the surger,y had tried over and over on so many different diets over the years and finally said, "enough"! I am learning alot about my bad habits from the past and working on changing them day by day. The band is a tool, not a panacea or miracle. You have to work with it and it will work with and for you. Listen to your doctors & nutritionist as they are the professionals. Having said that, this is an awesome place to ask, find and get answers to many of your questions. Good luck to you and hope to see you on more oftne.