mimi81082

Name, real or screen~Jami Goal weight for September 29th~to be down 30 lbs from surgery date Weight on September 1st~??? Age~30 Dietary goal for September~get at least 60g of protein, 64oz of water a day, and not overeat Exercise goal for September~start swimming at least 2 days a week and workout at least 4 days a week at 30 minutes a day Personal goal for September~To do my best to follow the dietary rules Date banded~ August 22, 2012 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~14lb as of the week after surgery What is your favorite Fall Activity?~Football and Halloween

Thanks everyone for your advice and encouragement!

My doctor allowed me to have creamed or blended soups which made a difference to me. You just have to be careful about sodium and fat content. Also, when you can tolerate sweet stuff, chocolate protein powder, skim/ 1% milk, a little ice, and a spoonful of peanut butter makes a good protein shake. The peanut butter cuts the after-taste of the protein and it also seems more satisfying...hope this helps!

Some insurance companies will cover removal of skin if it is for health reasons. For example, a lot of people have had a lower body lift/panniculectomy (spelling, but it means removal of overhanging skin in the stomach region) due to rashes and skin breakdown. This can leave you susceptible to infection; especially MRSA which is a very serious antibiotic resistant infection. Some surgeries are also considered reconstructive depending on how much loose skin one has. So it is possible that it could be covered, but I wouldn't count on it. A lot of people do body wraps and wear restrictive garments while exercising. However, like everyone has posted before me, I agree that it is certainly dependent upon genetics and amount of weight loss.

I am new to this site and very glad I found it because I really need the support! I was banded on 8/22/12. I had no problems with my incisions. I was up walking around within 2 hours and I had minimal pain after 3-4 days. I am very happy with the way I've been healing. I had my follow-up with my surgeon on 8/29/12. I lost 14 lbs in the first week, which I'm assuming was mostly water weight, but I'm happy nonetheless. I was switched to soft mushy on the 29th and as of yesterday, I'm allowed to eat anything. I've noticed over the last week or so, that I'm getting hungry more often. My diet has consisted mostly of protein shakes for breakfast, tuna or chicken salad with light Mayo and no bread, jello, light or Greek yogurt, and chicken or vegetable soups. What worries me is that I'm still able to eat quite a bit. I know I don't have restriction right now because I have no fluid in my band, but it's really hard to stick to three smaller meals a day when my mind and my stomach size have not changed. Does anyone have any suggestions? I haven't been snacking at all because I don't know what would be considered a "good snack." I'm looking forward to my first fill on 9/27/12; hoping that any physical restriction I may experience then will reinforce my mental efforts to change the way I eat. Overall, I'm not discouraged with my results because it has only been 3 weeks, but I just want to maximize my weight loss and do the right things from the beginning. So, any advice is welcomed! Thanks in advance!