n2win

I am on 800 calorie a day diet and looked at Protein bars the last time I was in the grocery store. The lowest calorie content I found was 180, so only being able to take in 800 calories a day I just don't see how protein bars are anywhere in my future. Plus I have noticed that if I consume many carbs my weight plateaus so just another reason i have to pass on protein bars. --very interested if anyone know of (low cal / low carb / high protein) options--

My liquid Tylenol taste like bubblegum and is really not bad at all (cannot stand any medication cherry flavored either). However, the last time i took it, it seemed overly sweet but that's what happens when sugar is removed from our diets... I can deal!

You look fantastic .... go enjoy the beach!

Hubby knows about this site, I too share some of my fav's with him. He is super glad I have this forum for support and has ZERO interest in coming on here. Hubby did complain once... when I forgot to record the 1st LSU game of this season. ..... I know, horrible horrible mistake!!!! When he asked what distracted me, I was honest & said "was online reading what my peeps had to say on the LB forum"... lol ...... G. E. A. U. X. Tigers!!!!!!!

-a big NO to waxing...ESP my valentine!- Every time I have had my eyebrows waxed a few layers of skin were ripped off as well. All attempts were at different salons & different clinicians. Each time I looked like I had severe radiation burns!!! That's it no more! So there is NO way I would even consider risking hot wax & ripped skin on my valentine (I don't care what size she is....hell NO!!!!!) My husband trims my hedges, he does a fantastic job & never complains. Nothing fancy, no landing strips and I give him creative & artistic freedom to do what he pleases; he's happy & I'm happy! ---but GOOD LUCK on your waxing adventure

Just discovered this; in case anyone is interested: Amazon Prime Members can "borrow" books similar to the one mentioned above (carb cycling) for free.

Oh and always eat with baby spoons/forks and my portion sizes are 1/2 cup total... ocas splurge is 1 cup! This is HARD work but I keep telling myself it will only get easier the closer I get to the green zone.

Wow... 3 fills! I was banded July 17 and go in Monday (sept 9th) for my 2nd fill. No saline was added during surgery & 1st fill was 3 cc (11cc band). I have to constantly measure my portions and feel ZERO help from the band. Hit a plateau and would lose & gain the same 5 pounds. Recently increased walking to 30 mins twice a day (7d/wk), reduced carbs & FINALLY have had a wt loss! Down: 44 lbs heaviest & 33 lbs post-op THIS IS NOT THE EASY WAY OUT!!!!

I use my Vitamix everyday... mix up liquid Protein (EAS) shake (w/ extra protein powder), toss in Vitamins (occas. Instant coffee)... LOVE IT! ...no clumps, silky smooth, pour over ice or make it slushy! Also make my own Soup from scratch & flavored crushed ice; sauces etc. -now with that being said: if I could do it all over again, I would purchase the "Blendtec" sold at Sam's ( possibly Costco), not as costly & it has programmed buttons to do all the above w/o having to stand over the machine... push the button & forget about it! -- that is on my "wish list" but both are worth every penny!

---This is my all time favorite post !--- Geaux girl..... you ROCK!!! (I worked with a girl that was stick skinny and super LAZY, so while the rest of us ran our tails off, she would just sit there & complain how "cold" she was (always wearing cropped tops; NEVER a jacket, even in winter; and inappropriately exposing her belly-button in a professional setting) ... well one day she PISSED ME OFF... I told her if she would get off her lazy ass and do some work, she wouldn't be so damn cold, and while she was up to do us all a favor and just EAT a damn SANDWICH.... also told her the next time she came to work, we expected her to be sporting a WOOL trench coat!)

Ok, so on this site she says to chew well & eat fast because you only have 15 mins per meal.... is this correct?... is it safe?

You look amazing!!!!!

I wanted more information regarding all aspects of the LB journey. A friend told me she learned the most from LB-forums, so I googled and found this site.

Ok, I have a friend of a friend...lol ... both banded 6 yrs ago. One has been very successful & the other, not so much. During a conversation she mentioned wishing she could get back to eating the way she did after first being banded. I'm a newbie, but remembered reading about this and so I suggested she try the 5 day Pouch Test; neither had a clue what I was talking about! I finally found the link and looked it over, as well as posts on this site, so I guess my question is: DOES SHE NEED TO PURCHASE THE BOOK? (-or does this pretty much sum it up-) ------------------------------------------------ Day 1-2: liquids Day 3: soft Protein Day 4: firm protein Day 5: solid protein ----------------------------------------------- Minimum, 64 oz Water everyday No drinking 30 mins before or after meal Reduce caffeine, but not cold turkey Measure all portions: 1cup volume OR 4-6 ounces weight Eat only until you feel your pouch tighten, then STOP! Chew, Chew, Chew! ---------------------------------------------- -liquids: consume all the both or Protein shakes you need to keep you satisfied (day 1&2) -soft protein: canned tuna/salmon/turkey/chicken, eggs, baked/grilled fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy, flounder, catfish, bass, white perch (add small amount mayo/miracle whip only enough to moisten can meat) -firm protein: ground meat (beef, turkey, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, salmon, halibut -solid protein: white meat, poultry, beef steak (as tolerated) ------------------------------------------------

Super, thank you both. This is exactly the kind of info I was look for.

Congrats to you both! Looking fab!!!

Love it!!!!

Thanks for the info... great advice!

1month 3 days post-op walking 30 mins 7 days a week (started 2 wks after surgery) Down 37lbs heaviest Down 26lbs surgery --pre-op diet was only 3 days-- QUESTION: Should I increase my walking (by 15 min increments until I'm walking for 1 hour)? OR Cont. walking 30mins & Start using stationary bike (eventually working up to 30 mins each)? (We also have a total gym... never used & I just ordered a beginning yoga DVD) Any savvy fitness tips, thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Not sure how long to focus on cardio before starting strength training? (FYI: working out at home; climate controlled garage; doing well/getting into a routine & not ready for the gym yet) Also does it matter / is it better, to work out in am & pm or all at once?

Also I stocked up on post-op food: (this is key for compliance) EAS Protein shakes -3 cases (because after fills you keep going back to shakes so you will always consume them) chicken broth Beef broth ...whatever list they give you, stock up My hubby boxed up all food that I could no longer eat, even though he could, and gave it away. He said it did not even need to be in the house to temp me, so we have absolutely no cheater food in our home.

I paid $100 consultation fee Pre-op: Lab fee total: $105.90 cxr & ekg total: $57 Surgery total: $9,900 This included: surgeon, anesthesia & all hospital charges. I had no other out-of-pocket expenses because it was a discounted "cash price". I did not stay the night in the hospital, but was told I could. Dietitian: $50 per visit (seen once at 1 1/2 wks post-op) Fills: $250 each (all done under fluoroscopy) Note: it has been 1 month & 2 days since my surgery & I have not received any "rogue" bills..lol.. so if there was going to be any billing "hiccups" I'm pretty sure they would have hit me up for some more cash by now! --hope this helps

Good for you! Do this for yourself! --hope you succeed, best wishes--

WHIMP... I'm a WHIMP!!! --hate auto correct sometimes...geez

Wow! I had eyeliner & lips tattooed and it hurt so damn bad I said "forget it"! I am an official whip! --but I think it's really sexy on guys (loved that pic of the sleeve tat-- HA! my husband has NONE!!! He says it drives him crazy when I ask him to not shave on the weekends... that's how clean-cut he is! LOL

You will be in my thoughts and prayers! ---good luck