Just-Ice

LAP-BAND Here we go! Check in on that thread when you are post-op!

I'm really not thinking we need to take a poll, since we've had such a good response over.... drum roll please.... wait for it.. wait for it... Jan Band Journeys Anyone want to create us a sparklely little pretty signature piece? My photoshop crapped out on me and I haven't reinstalled it yet. Today was my last day off before I go for surgery next Wednesday so I doubt I will have time to do it. I will however go and create us a link under the social groups so we can all check in after we've had our surgeries!!

Of course! Welcome! Ok folks. I just made a soup from my "Before & After" book. OMG.. it was FANTASTIC!! I don't normally like spicy foods really, in fact, I'm a picky eater. Here's the recipe, you'll be SO suprised! I ate 1/2 cup and I'm about ready to pop I'm so full!! Going to have the rest for lunch tomorrow (that is.. what is left after the kids and hubby eat it, they loved it too - even the picky one!) Creamy Black Bean Soup (nope, never had black Beans before either) Calories 62 Fat 2.5 grams carbs 7.5 grams Protein 3.5 grams Makes 6 cups 1 tb olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped one 15 oz black beans, canned, rinsed and drained 3 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup mild roasted-tomato salsa (never had that before either) salt and pepper 1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream (I used fat free and it was awesome) shredded cheese, chopped cilantro and sliced green onions for serving. Heat oil and saute garlic and onion. Add in everything above sour cream. Bring to boil, reduce and simmer 10 mins. With an immersion blender, blend. Before serving, wisk in the sour cream. top with the cheese, cilantro and onion. It's awesome!

holy crap.. did you say 4 more weeks of liquids AFTER surgery? I think I may faint.

Thanks! I'll go check it out.

Hey Art! I wondered when you'd make it around here! I am right behind you in surgery, mine is at 8:00 am. Just think, by the time you are in recovery, I'll be heading in. Whoo-hoo! And you know. .if you broke that cookie in half before you ate it, all the calories fell out. :thumbup:

On day 4 of this liquid diet thing. I have to admit, cream of chicken soup didn't make me throw up - I actually thought it would. My preop appt is Friday, I'm excited for that. I'm starting to see why we do this pre-diet thing, either that or the lack of food has affected my brain. I'm thinking the reasonsing why is this: our liver shrinks, we get use to consuming less in a sitting, we appreciate the little amts of food we do consume. Yeah, now that I think of it, it's my brain acting up.

do you mind sharing the program name? I'm very interested in that myself!

I, frankly, am quite sick of the politically correct bs. Everywhere you turn being afraid to say ANYTHING to might upset someones apple cart. Come on people, get over it. You are going to have things said in life that upset you. Not everyone's uptopia is going to exist. How sad is it that we supress our actions and words just to make sure we don't step on someones toes? (ie: had an employee that was afraid to say "black friday" to a black man.) Seriously?? Well.. guess what. I'm going to be authentic this year. That doesn't mean I'm a racist, or a bigit, or just an ass. I don't intentionally hurt peoples feeling, in fact, I am usually the peacekeeper, BUT, I won't turn a conversation around 15 times in my head to make sure on one gets their feelings hurt if it is something I really mean and do say. I don't feel others should have to say I'm "heavy" instead of "fat".. etc... This p.c. crap is ruining this world. AND.... for the records, btrieger, you crack me up too!

That's what pain meds are for! You can do this!! If you are like most of us, you have waited SOOO long to do this. I have my preop appt on Friday and I'm all ready to go. Finishing up day 3 of my liquid diet. Today has sucked - it's the first day back to work on all liquids and I have had the worst time concentrating - BUT.. that will all be done soon. :tt2:

My doc said that was fine, just strain it before I eat it :smile2:

Awesome suggestions!! Let's keep 'em coming. By the last week of January (most of us should be banded by then) I will create a poll and we can vote if you like! It'd be nice to keep a place for us on here so we can keep in touch and keep a cumulative account of our weight loss!!

Awesome job!! Keep up the good work. I sure hope you took a "before" picture because soon you won't even remember what the before was when you are looking at the new you!!

I actually gasped out loud on that one. I'm don't have anything but support for you. I'm so sorry you've had to go through this and I'm very interested to see what your wl surgeon has to say about this. wow..

Good news is that you have Anthem. Not only can you go online to get that information, they were very easy to deal with (in my case.) They approved not only my surgery but will also cover my fills. I guess it does depend on what company you have the benefits through (my husband is Comair) I hope you have an easy time with it too!

Stumbled across the EA Active tonight at Game Stop. Figured for $60, it was cheaper than the gym. Let me tell you... it kicked not only MY butt.. but my daughter and husband's butt too! Glad it wasn't just me. I love it and can't wait to do the 30 day challenge when I'm feeling up to it!

I dont think I could survive without the pudding. Just tried the cheesecake one.. OMG.. it was devine. That makes living on the liquids a little easier for me.

Me too! Kill for pizza that is. We walked through the mall today to get my steps in and walked through the food court. It sucked. BUT... *I* can do this.. I know I can. I sure hope I can. LOL Going to fix me some Soup for dinner (broth only) and pretend it's japanese stir fry!

Alright January Bandsters.. what are we going to name ourselves? Yep, I'll admit it.. I want one of those fancy little "month" names like some of the others have.. Let's get some suggestions and vote for a name!! Here are some: (not great.. but anyway) Thin in 10 Jammin January Your turn!

So, we've been approved and some of us are on our pre-op diets, let's stick together to provide motivation and support to those going through what we're going through :blushing: Any takers?

Count me in as a fan of GNC. I use the Amplified WheyBolic Extreme 60 Chocolate and the Whey Isolate 28 unflavored to add into food. I started using them a month ago to get use to them before my surgery (which is next week). I did try the strawberry version of the Extreme 60 and didn't like it. Good news though, GNC took it back opened and some gone for a full refund. I would highly recommend them. Right now they are having a buy one get one 50% off sports stuff. The one pound bags would only be 12.00 at half off and if you sign up for their gold card (it's like $15.00) you get 20% off even sales prices for the first 10 days of each month. It's very much worth it.

My only comment here is to try it before you buy it. I had one, got rid of it. I am tall, 5'9" but the stride was too large for my legs and really ended up hurting me. It was not adjustable (the stride anyway) and I really wish I had tried it first. I am now looking for a stair stepper instead. Good luck! If you find a good one, let me know. :blushing:

This is also my favorite! I love the chocolate and add just a little bit of peanut butter. It truly taste like a peanut butter cup!

So far so good. I did well yesterday and today I made a chocolate (Protein powder) and Peanut Butter shake. The fat content was a little more than I wanted it to be, but my protein level is way up. And.. it's awesome!! We can do this! One meal at a time. I'm very excited. I started "training" my body before Christmas, knowing that any weight I put on, I'd have to take off. Since right before Christmas, I've already lost 8 pounds. I'm very excited to see the scale move in THAT direction!!

I believe it's completely what you bring to the program. It's NOT a magic bullet, it's a tool. That 50% failure rate seems very very high. Not buying that one, sorry.