NJDanielle27

Oh, I have the disease, as I call it as well. I'm so anal retentive and I own it. I completely understand having it bother you but the reality is that no one is perfect and mistakes happen.

Thanks guys!! I will certainly take all of your advice and report back! I really want to like it because I know it is very healthy.

Ok, noted! Is halibut "fishy"? You guys are going to think I'm insane but I remember being a little girl eating fish sticks and there being a little bone in it. It freaked me out so much that I have been turned off (25 years later!). I have tried salmon and never liked it. However, I vacation in Aruba every year and everyone is ordering this amazingly fresh fish and I always want to like it.

This is great to know although the ice cold shower does not sound fun!!!

You guys are awesome!! I need to try these and learn to love fish. I want to like it. I also tried to like cottage cheese but that is still a no go..

I am looking for some good idea in terms of types of fish as well as recipes. I am not a fish Water but I think I want to try some to see if my palette has changed - maybe I will like it now. Any non super-fishy fish?

Central Nj near Princeton. I had surgery in February and just had my third fill. Hopefully things get moving because I've only lost 13 pounds. I did notice the Water I drank after the fill went down much slower this time so I'm hoping this put me in the green!

I am the same as you. I was banded on 2/1 and I have lost 10 pounds in total. I have been up an down the same 2 pounds for 2 weeks. I understand the frustration (hell, I feel it too) when you see people posting they lost 16 pounds in one week! BUT, I know I don't have a fill and I'm sure you don't either. You have to rely on will power and I have been eating about 1,500 cals and I haven't been exercising. I finally feel good enough to start moving and hopefully that will get the scale moving before I get my first fill. I know 1,500 cals is more than most people but I am hungry and have no restriction at all. I think you need to give it a chance and get a fill and work through it. That is what I am doing. Try not to get discouraged by other people's big losses - we are all different. These are the things I tell myself and maybe they can help you since we are in the same boat.

Keep up the good work!!

I had surgery on 2/1 and felt a lot better on day 5. Each day got exponentially better. Now, I forget I even had surgery!

I hope you bought that dress in the last picture - it is so flattering on you!! You look great!

I wore a sports bra for the first week.

I haven't either!! Same weight for 6 days! I know we are healing and all that but I don't eat more than 900 calories a day so I don't understand how that's possible.

Hi all, checking in :-)

I think my belly has finally deflated. I am down about 7 pounds from banding day (2/1) and as long as I eat something every 2 hours, I am not starving. However, it is definately difficult to train your mind not to eat more because I definately could. Someone posted on the boards a great snack idea if you need something sweet and I could literally jump through the computer and kiss the person. So, I am a major chocolate fan. I don't really enjoy the SF puddings/jell-o because they all have that artificial sweetner taste that I can't stand. This dessert is heavenly: mix cool whip (lite, FF, whichever you prefer) with cocoa powder (real baking unsweetened powder..not Nesquick). It tastes like chocolate mousse!!!! I have 2 tablespoons in the evening as my treat and it is about 40 calories!

I am going to the store tonight to get some ingredients for tuna and chicken salad. I also saw a recipe for pasta-less lasagna which is mixing low fat ricotta cheese, Tomato sauce and parmesan. Good source of Protein and gets you away from the Mexican flavors of chili, tacos, Beans, etc.

How are you all doing??

That's funny...I was just having the conversation with my boyfriend. I asked him if vodka cut with Water instead of club soda with lime would be bad? It's basically the same flavor sans the bubbles. I will try it - do you think the bartender will look at me strange?

Thanks Patty! I knew a fellow Jersey girl could help!

I wanted to ask this question too. I'm curious what people say.

Hi everyone. I am young and social and so a lot of going out means times spent at bars. I know alcohol is full of empty calories and all that. I know carbonation is out of the picture and I'd like some cocktail ideas to be able to drink if I go out other than alcohol on the rocks, wine or cranberry vodka. Hopefully nothing too fancy because a lot of these places are more like sports bars than fancy places so something reasonable. Any ideas?

Hi Kerri - here is mine:

Week 1: Clear Liquids, Jello, juice, Water, skim milk, broths

Week 2: anything that can be puréed to the consistency of applesauce. Also scrambled eggs.< /p>

Week 3: soft foods...tuna, egg, chicken salad, Soups with chunks, soft chicken and other meat, etc.

Week 4 and on: whatever works for your band

Hi All -

I am still bloated in the stomach too. I am on the pureed food stage of my doctor's diet so I am in heaven!! I made turkey chili and put it in the blender (still good), taco meat, applesauce, yogurt, guacamole (Avacado, onions, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, lime juice and dash of FF italian dressing - SO GOOD), etc. I have also been having some V8 fusion Light diluted with 50% Water. This stage has been good!

I would do a happy dance when I'd be able to fart or burp! I feel 90% right now and I had surgery last Fri.

You are so worth it!!! Don't worry, they give you meds that make you feel so good and then you couldn't care less what they do to you. Then you wake up and it's all over!

South Brunswick NJ here :-)

Hi all. I was a nervous wreck too before surgery and I don't have children so I can only imagine. The complications rate is so low - that is what I kept reminding myself. I am 5 days post op and feeling so much better! I went to the grocery store today and it was wonderful to get out for an extended period of time and walk around the store. I haven't had a BM problem (thank god) and I've lost about 5 pounds since Friday. I feel hungry but can control my intake and that is a very empowering feeling. Good luck to the women getting banded soon and speedy recovery to those recently banded.

Hi - totally normal. I was nauseous the day of surgery and the next morning. I only had Water the first day and green tea, water and a tiny bit of skim milk the next. Hang in there and walk around when you can - it helps so much. I am 5 days post op and each day gets exponentially better.