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Where do I get ruby reds???!!!! Ive never heard of them!

I had my first big stress test today. From one family grandma drama to another family grandma drama to a flat tire and two 2-hour drives, I was faced with my first real stressed test since band placement. These type of days would nearly always end up as binge days but this time, I had to find new ways to cope that didn't include cookies, cake, pie and a binge run to various fast-food joints. I passed the test. The worst thing I did today was put a little extra queso on some refried beans at a Christmas party dinner and have half a bite of cake from my husband's plate. Maybe I ate a couple more spoonfuls of beans than I should have. Maybe I shouldn't have been eating beans or cake at all. But I am really proud of myself and thankful that I had the band to keep me under control.

I had my first big stress test today. From one family grandma drama to another family grandma drama to a flat tire and two 2-hour drives, I was faced with my first real stressed test since band placement. These type of days would nearly always end up as binge days but this time, I had to find new ways to cope that didn't include cookies, cake, pie and a binge run to various fast-food joints. I passed the test. The worst thing I did today was put a little extra queso on some refried beans at a Christmas party dinner and have half a bite of cake from my husband's plate. Maybe I ate a couple more spoonfuls of beans than I should have. Maybe I shouldn't have been eating beans or cake at all. But I am really proud of myself and thankful that I had the band to keep me under control.

I started menopause last year. I was on Bio-identical hormones for awhile this year and I loved them. They really helped with the hot flashes but did not help with libido issues. I stopped taking them a couple of months ago because they are expensive and insurance won't pay for them. Oddly, I started my period immediately following surgery. My first one in over a year. That was weird. Anyway, I found that Anti-Ds were the most helpful thing. I take Lexapro and wellbutrin and it keeps me from running folks off the road. (a true story that I may have to tell some time) but they don't make me any hungrier.

ONLY 5 or 6 lbs?! That's great for one month post op!

THe average weight loss for the band is 60% of your excess weight. To lose more, you have to exercise.

Personally, I wouldn't tell the MIL at all. You don't have to tell her why you are in the hospital or why your diet is changing even if you do live with her. Just say "abdominal surgery" and "strict diet" if she asks. I think that if they want to be so involved in what you do with your body that you should use that to your advantage. Every time they bring it up, you can suggest that they continue to show their "support" by doing the pre- and post-op diet along with you. They will shut up pretty quick. And speaking of selfish! Remind your husband that if he values your contribution to the family as a wife and mother so little that he would jeopardize your health for a hamburger, he certainly won't miss you when you are out doing what you want to do while he stays home and takes care of the kids and deals with his Momma.

I was in more pain today than I had been all week. Maybe it's because I cut down on the pain meds. Either way, I was very tired all day. Luckily my son cooperated and I got a 2 hour nap. My son also wanted to go to the gym today but I just wasn't up for it. I am wondering how long it took for other banders to start working out post-op. I have done some walking but that's about it. I am also very interested in this ab circle thingy. Has anyone tried it? How did you like it and did you see results?

I was in more pain today than I had been all week. Maybe it's because I cut down on the pain meds. Either way, I was very tired all day. Luckily my son cooperated and I got a 2 hour nap. My son also wanted to go to the gym today but I just wasn't up for it. I am wondering how long it took for other banders to start working out post-op. I have done some walking but that's about it. I am also very interested in this ab circle thingy. Has anyone tried it? How did you like it and did you see results?

Oh thank you BG! That makes sense. And I am definitely eating small and slow :thumbup: Thank you thank you!

that's incredible! And you are so right not to buy that scale. Scales are bad :thumbup:

awesome pics!!!

That's scary. I hope I can eat veggies later. I love them. I was planning on mushing them until real food on Jan 8. I was a vegetarian for 13 years and had friend who were veg but hated veggies. Here are some ideas for you: V8 (they make it in fruit fusion now if you don't like the tomato version) pea, squash or carrot soup (very creamy and yummy) Add them to everything! Get a slap chop (or similar) and chop a little green onion, colorful peppers, tomatoes etc) very very small. Keep the chop mix in the fridge. You can sprinkle the mix in eggs, soups, tuna or chicken salads (try grapes in your chicken salad!) Mash veggies that you might not normally think of mashing: sweet potatoes, turnips, carrots (with splenda brown yum), smashed peeled eggplant (top with canned tomatoes and a little parmesean to make a light italian- style casserole) Choose fresh over dried over frozen over canned for more nutrition bang for the buck. If you can tolerate breads, use whole-wheat flour and bake a homemade banana or zuccini bread (easy). Get baby-food veggies and add them to other dishes---baby squash in curry dishes, baby vegs in any soup, baby fruit and yogurt in hot cereal. You can get in an extra serving and won't even notice they are there. Make oatmeal with apple juice instead of water. It is good and I hate oatmeal. Add lemon to your water and orange or lemon or grapefruit to your tea. Avocados are amazing and you can use them in many ways: guacamole, in a dressing with greek yogurt to top chicken or fish, atop refried beans, on veggie burgers, to add a creamy texture to soups Try tomatoes and s/p with cottage cheese Smoothies! (yogurt, frozen fruit, milk, blender) (My favorite smoothie in the world is banana/blueberry) Yoiu can add your protein powder and other packaged nutrients to these. Try juicing. Buy a juicer with a money-back guarantee in case you don't like it, you can send it back.

:thumbup: I am sorry you are hungry. Liquids are hard. BUt at least you get yogurt! How are you feeling? I have heard this is the worst part so just hang in there. :sleep2:

I hope I won't have to! Ick!

I just got my band and I haven't gotten stuck yet (and don't plan on it) but I am wondering what you do if you do get stuck? I was thinking about it this morning and wondered if some apple cider (or any flavor) vinegar would help since it is so acidic and breaks down organic matter. Has anyone tried it or is there something better?

Thank you for posting that very well written story. You described the MOnster so well.

I lost 15 pounds doing low fat, low carb, veg for 10 days and clear liquids for 3 days prior and 3 days after.

I am still not really sure if I am eating what I should be eating after Monday's procedure. My list says "full liquids" and includes oatmeal, grits and cream of wheat. Both hot cereals are what I would consider mushies. I asked the bariatric coodinator about it and she said "we don't really do a mushy stage because anything can be made mushy if you chew it long enough". I took that to mean that I could do mushies starting today. But, I'm still not sure. Today I had: an Herbalife Shake, 1/2 c thick cream soup (baked potato flavor) with a few bits that I chewed the crap out of, and for dinner, some homemade mashed turnips which I made too thin to eat with a fork. Now I am worried about those turnips. I feel fine but what if they are too gassy and make my stomach do weird things? Yikes! I am also having trouble getting enough water. Tips? Advice?

I am still not really sure if I am eating what I should be eating after Monday's procedure. My list says "full liquids" and includes oatmeal, grits and cream of wheat. Both hot cereals are what I would consider mushies. I asked the bariatric coodinator about it and she said "we don't really do a mushy stage because anything can be made mushy if you chew it long enough". I took that to mean that I could do mushies starting today. But, I'm still not sure. Today I had: an Herbalife Shake, 1/2 c thick cream soup (baked potato flavor) with a few bits that I chewed the crap out of, and for dinner, some homemade mashed turnips which I made too thin to eat with a fork. Now I am worried about those turnips. I feel fine but what if they are too gassy and make my stomach do weird things? Yikes! I am also having trouble getting enough water. Tips? Advice?

when were you allowed to have oatmeal, grits or cream of wheat?

Guess what? It's midnight. Time for full liquids. Look out pudding, here I come! But someone please help me figure this out. My doctor's list includes oatmeal, etc. in the Full Liquids list. From there, I go straight to real food on January 8. So am I correct in assuming that my full liquids stage is the same as the mushy stage?

Guess what? It's midnight. Time for full liquids. Look out pudding, here I come! But someone please help me figure this out. My doctor's list includes oatmeal, etc. in the Full Liquids list. From there, I go straight to real food on January 8. So am I correct in assuming that my full liquids stage is the same as the mushy stage?

You can do it! Don't give up now. If you cheat, get back on track and keep going.

LOVE YOUR BLOG! Keep writing! And for protein, the best shake I have ever had is Formula 1 from Herbalife. It has good vitamins in it as well as the protein and isn't too sickly sweet. I get mine from Ajay's Fitness. Also, hands down the best protein bar is Supreme Protein. They are sooooo good!