AZ Gary

I got the NutraBullet. Watch for it on sale at Bed Bath and Beyond and then use the 20% coupon or Kohl's with a sale and one of their 30% coupons. I think I got mine after discounts for $79. Don't make the mistake of grabbing the cheaper magic bullet.

I've found my tolerance for spicy has went up. Since I am eating less, want something to punch up the flavor. (Seems like I remember hearing that 15 years ago at Nutrisystem)

Maybe you should explain a little more why we should click on a link and how it helps you in the quest. As a network security professional, I for one do not click on links that I do not know where they end up. Too many bad things are out there.

Try doing veggies on the grill or griddle. The mere thought of brussels sprouts would make me heave. But charring them on the griddle with a little bacon totally changed the flavor. Boiling for many green things brings out the sulfur taste.

Well I survived the trip to DC and was very pleased to see I held within .5 lbs despite eating more. I am guessing all the walking over the city helped. I set a new personal record of 18000 steps on Sunday with fitbit. I was tempted to walk around the hotel to get over the 20K mark, but my feet said no way. So now it is the dash until the holidays to get down to the next level. Congrats to everyone on their great progress so far.

Well this past week I made my first air travel since being banded 4 months ago. I didn't feel wedged into the seat and didn't have the fear of having to ask for the extender belt. Overall it was as enjoyable as coach could be on a 5 hour trip despite being in a middle seat.

I need to buy a lottery ticket or stop at one of the casinos on the way home. When I plugged in my weight in MFP this morning it came up as triple 7s for the loss. Great news on the runs and having wonderland in sight. I wish I liked running or even jogging but my knees tell me they will protest if I do. Will stick to hiking now that we are getting into decent weather in AZ.

I am guessing maybe 1 or 2. But that is not the period to be worrying about the scale. It is a time for recovery and adjustment.

It took me a week before I really had a desire to try mushy food. Try easing into it with little nibbles of things. As bad as it sounds, chicken Vienna sausage was easy to chew or smash up.

If you need more encouragement go down to the big box home improvement store and pick up a 100lb bag of cement and imagine that your legs and feet was carrying all that around. Congrats on the lose so far.

I wouldn't. I seem to remember that I gained post surgery. Jokingly said they must have packed with me ballast. But after time it fell off.

Gold Bond worked for me also.

I love your profile name on myfitnesspal. Saw it in a different conversation a few days ago. I'm about to cross over the half way point, but know it is going to be much harder than the first. Off to DC area in a few days with camera in tow so may have an updated profile picture soon.

I see the NP once a month, but the doctor, not since the surgery post op recovery.

Have you tried to attend any of the TR monthly support meetings in Scottsdale? I think they are the first Tuesday of each month at 6. But better confirm the time / date with them. In all honesty I haven't been to any, but that is because I get into work at 6 in the morning and the last thing I want to do is sit in the 101 traffic twice in one day.

From one Gary to Gary, you will do fine. The eating habits you learn on the pre op will reward you after surgery. Find the things you like now, so that you can revisit them when you have those times, when the needle on the scale gets stuck.

True Results gives you a 30 second egg timer. I get it out from time to time when I need to retrain myself.

I felt it on the first fill. Even cold water was hard, but I think that was the shock of the new fluid in the band. But everyone's results will vary.

LessLee congrats on passing one of the many marks that end in a zero.

I completely cut out the diet coke when I started my pre opt diet and while the lack of caffeine was hard for the first week or so, today I don't miss it at all. This is from someone who could drink 6 - 10 cans a day. And I know when I would get one from the store, something else always hopped into the bag at the register.

I went two months with no fills. I agree with the previous comment that it really is a lifestyle change. My wife and I are using My Fitness Pal and always check a meal before we eat to see what the impact is going to be rather than saying afterwards, gee I wish I hadn't eaten all that......

Just got bad from my visit at the WLS center. We decided to hold off on a fill for a month since I will be travelling. I was down 16 in the 27 days since the last visit/fill. So I can't complain about the results. I've got my eyes set on the half way mark. Now within 7 pounds of hitting it.

It worked for me. I bought a really loud pair of pants at Kohl 80% rack that was 3 sizes too small. Made the decision when I can fit into them, people are going to notice, even if it is for the colors. (And I'm almost there....)

Get it in writing as to what plans they will accept. I have seen to many people find out that that the insurance people tend to blur the facts on what they will cover.

Go scuba diving with needing to carry 25 pounds of lead to stay down. (Fat floats)