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Very cool Julie! I just updated mine. I hope I did it right. See you tonight!

A little update...I am on my way to Denver for my first fill. Excited! Almost 1 month since banding and I am SO close to hitting 215...almost 19 pounds down! In a huge NSV, I fit into size 16 Gap jeans now, you can see pics on my blog! Never thought I would post public pics of me in jeans! Hoping to get that "not hungry" feeling back soon! Good luck to all who have surgery these last few days, and best to those still healing!

Sounds like it went well! 2 weeks of liquids/soft is a long time! I think I have 3 days liquids and 3 days soft after a fill? Have to check again. My first fill is today, just hoping they are not tooooo conservative!

First fill day after tomorrow! Counting down the hours. I can't wait to start losing again!

My Dr. was Thomas Brown at CBSI. Who is yours? Three days of Clear liquids was the only pre-op diet I had to do. The Jello did not do much for me, but the broth helped keep the hunger at bay. Try different flavors, I actually found one chicken broth that was Thai lemongrass flavored. Awesome but very high sodium. Good luck! Stick to the diet! :smile2:

If you really need to do it, you have to go hard core. I would recommend the clear liquid diet, which sucks, but is very effective! I lost 8 lbs in 3 days. All I was able to have was: clear broth sugar free popcicles sugar free ocean spray or crystal light sugar free Jello decaf tea Thats it! You can do it. If you are desperate, add 1 Protein shake per day, but if you can stick to the clears, you will definitely lose that 5. Good luck!

Funny, I made chili last week and ate it almost every day! Tasty! I have not been keeping track of fat grams, and I am not tracking at all on the weekends (not the best strategy). I have my first fill this Wednesday, just hoping for that restriction!

Sorry I won't get to meet you this time, hopefully next time! Wow, 6.2 in one week and 10.2 in 2 weeks! Amazing! Congrats!:seeya:

Look forward to meeting you!!!!!

That is great Julie! Remember to change my goal to -15. I hope this upcoming fill works! Put me down for 0 last week, and -1 this week. Hopefully more next time! Thanks!:seeya:

Have you tried creamed soups? Campbell's has a low-fat broccoli cheese soup that is pretty good and helped with the hunger. Can you have yogurt? That might help too. It is rough, gets better once you start mushies. Hope you feel better. Eat some soup!

I am almost 1 month post-op, and now exercising about 5 days a week - I run/hike for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. I look forward to doing some ab exercises! And I would love to start doing Pilates again (after a 4 year break). I love to exercise (running, specifically), but I really, really like to do it outside. I sort of dread the winter because I know it means more time either at home on the treadmill or at the gym. Or braving the elements! Maybe this winter I will try snowshoe running/hiking again. Talk about a workout! :seeya:

My doctor's list of "mushies" was very liberal. It included soft meats (like meatloaf, fish) and many other things that are not strictly mushy. So I started this stuff at 2 weeks post-op. It does feel more filling, for sure. But not quite enough (hence the need for a fill!) Seems like two really key parts of getting the weight loss going is exercise and drinking lots and lots of water/fluids. I am not great at the Water thing, but just today drank a ton of water and lost a pound! I think my body retains water when it is not hydrated enough. How are you doing?

Wow! That side view is Amazing! Do you have kids? I have 4, and my lower tummy looks similar to your befores... I just can't imagine how its going to be after I lose the weight. Sag City! You are such an inspiration!

What day is weigh-in? Don't worry, K'smom, that 1.8 will be back off in no time. Remember the old days when you could gain 7 lbs in a week? I sure do!

You need to get the "Low-Fat" Ricotta, not part-skim. I was just at the store today and noticed the calorie difference! I started exercising at 12 days post-op, hiking/running for 45 mins. I do it at least every other day, but would like to do more. You can see what a difference exercise makes when you log your calories. I started using thedailyplate.com today (got sick of SparkPeople not having as many items in their calorie database). It said I consumed 1100 calories, but my "net" calories, after exercise, was 616! :mad: That is a huge difference when you are already eating so few calories (compared to the old days I mean).

I did not gain weight switching to mushies, but I have stalled since the first week or so. It is hard. I am hungry (was banded 9/1). Here is what I eat on a good day: 1. Breakfast: 1 packet Weight Control oatmeal with berries and 1% milk (this oatmeal has more protein). (260 cals total) 2. Lunch: Lean Cuisine - something mushy and high Protein like meatloaf and mashed potatoes. (250 cals) 3. Snack: 1 or 2 low-fat string cheese (120 cals for 2) 4. Dinner: Boca burger, no bread, with salsa and tomatoes (160 cals); 1/2 cup low fat ricotta cheese with marinara sauce and a sprinkle of parmesan, microwaved. (about 140 cals). Total dinner: about 300 cals. 5. Another possible snack - Atkins Protein Bar, 150 cals. So this is about 1100-1200 calories, and nearly 80 grams of protein, believe it or not. I am also exercising every other day (running/hiking for 40-45 mins). This helps. But, on a bad day I add in stuff I don't need, like crackers. :tongue2: Can't wait for that first fill. Hang in there, we will lose this weight eventually!

Hi Myra, I am adding the link to your blog so we can all get to it (need to take out the www). As My World Turn My blog is in my signature, I posted it on the other thread. Stop by!

Mine is Sept. 30! Next week. Can't wait, I am hungry and not feeling as satisfied after meals. Plus I can eat WAY more than I need to! I live far from the surgeon's office, so I have to fly in. I really hope this gets me close to where I need to be!

You guys are lucky, I am HUNGRY! First fill next week for me too, can't wait. I figured out that I can eat a whole lot, which is not good. I have not lost any more but I have been exercising at least every other day, so feel good about that. I need more practice with the no drinking with meals, and I need to stay away from most carbs for now!

Yum! I love the ricotta thing. Its really not high calorie if you use low fat ricotta - 100 cals for 1/2 cup, and use a sprinkle of parmesan instead of mozz, the whole thing is like 150 calories and filling!

Hi Ladies, I wanted to jump in and give my two thumbs up to the Hanky Panky panties. :biggrin: I have a bunch of weight to lose still but I wear the boy short style - they cover the lower tummy flap for now and are comfy! Also, believe it or not, the Gap online has some great panties, much cheaper than the Hanky Panky brand and also comfy. I have only lost 17 lbs so far, but I have also had 4 babies, and my lower tummy is a mess. I will be following you all, hoping to get a TT some day myself! Thanks for sharing your experiences!

I started right where you are, weight wise, Mommy of 1. I too had some major Last Supper syndrome going on, but managed to stay the same weight until I started my preop diet. Since the diet and with surgery on 9/1 I have lost 17 lbs. The best feeling of all is knowing that it will not come back as long as I stick with the program. I do understand your profound pain. You will do well with the band, congratulations for taking this step!:biggrin: