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Missmonaaz-- I am SO sorry you had such an awful day! I think you have a remarkable attitude and a terrific sense of humor! Believe me, that will serve you well along your upcoming weight-loss journey! Keep us posted on how you're doing!

For me, I liked the idea that the LB is reversible. I didn't want to lose 100 pounds overnight, but to lose weight more gradually, so that was another plus for me. I was also hoping that just having a band would be enough of a support to help me succeed without going the more drastic route. So far, so good!

I can think of some other nuts that are even better than pinenuts and grapenuts!!!!! :omg: Oh so wicked! :whoo:

And somehow...I never seem to find myself among those priveleged folks who are considered to be "more equal." I'm so shocked I'm getting light-headed. I think I need some smelling salts. :faint:

OMG! I am so old! I remember those Grape Nuts commercials! Did you ever eat a pine tree? LOL

It's funny you said that...I had a skinny roommate who was a total hypochondriac and was at the doctor constantly! LOL!

I found an interesting website today about weight discrimination (The Council on Weight Discrimination) that you may find interesting. Here's the link: Council on Size and Weight Discrimination

Here's an interesting piece about weight discrimination from an organization in the U.S.--not necessarily related to immigration or NZ at all, but I'm feeling a little ADD today from yesterday's "turkey high!" LOL Council on Size and Weight Discrimination - Discrimination FAQ Quote from article: "Isn't it true that fat people use up more than their share of the public health care dollar? No. As a society, we have chosen to join together and share in the funding of public health care. Many of us also pay for private health care and/or health insurance. We do not get to pick who deserves what portion of the resources available. Athletes use more health care services because they are at higher risk for broken bones, injuries to soft tissues, etc. Those who drive cars put themselves at greater risk for traffic accidents. Older people use a majority of the public health care collar. And to use a truly parallel example, poverty is a risk factor for most major diseases. Poor people use more public money on health care, and have worse outcomes. The difference is that our society does not disapprove of athletes or car drivers, and we recognize that it is unfair to blame poor people or old people for their greater use of health care resources. But when it comes to obesity, weight prejudice makes our society intolerant. We blame fat people for their condition no matter what the real cause. We blame fat people for not losing weight, no matter how difficult or impossible that might be. We blame fat people for using more than "their share" of health care resources. Our society does this because of prejudice, bigotry, and intolerance against those who are heavier than average." Naturally, this article has a certain slant to it because it was written by a group advocating tolerance towards the overweight. Duh! Anyhow, I found the site interesting. Sorry for being so darn random today!

I just calculated it. I can be a NZ immigrant when I weigh 204...17 pounds to go!

Hi! I came across an article that lists the NZ BMI requirements for those who are curious: Talent going to waist - News - Dominion Post "Men must measure no more than 102 centimetres around the waist while a female's upper limit is 88cm. An applicant's BMI should be no more than 35."

Congratulations, Molly! I'm so proud of you!!! You CAN do this and you will be amazed how much better you start to feel day after day! You go, girl!!!!

Very funny and a great point, too! LOL

Hi there! I'm happy to help! Here's the link for FAQs: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/ Here's the link for Pre-op/Post-op Q & A: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/ Here's the link to the Foods section (for ideas during liquid/mushy phases): http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/ If you're starving to death, be sure that you are taking in enough Protein which will help you feel full longer. My doctor advised 80-90 grams/day in three "meals" and we have to drink liquids in between. Check in with your doctor if you are having trouble with your post-op program to find out if he/she has any good suggestions to help you! Good luck!

Excellent point!!! If you don't want to visit a thread, don't visit it for heaven's sake! Same thing as a tv show you don't like, or a movie you don't like. You don't like it? Don't watch it! Geez!

Aaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!

You are doing great! There's no reason for you to be so hard on yourself! Keep up the good work and the pounds will continue to disappear! Don't forget that we women have crazy fluctuations in our weight that don't make any sense at all! LOL

Personally, I wouldn't eat barley on a liquid diet. You should be drinking Clear liquids on a liquid diet (Protein shakes, sugar free popsicles, sugar free jello/puddings, yogurt, Water, broth, etc.) Even the mushroom soup should probably be pureed to get rid of any lumps. Good luck!

Check out the complications thread--maybe someone there has posted about your problem (see link below)! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f78/ Good luck!!

Hi there! I've been mainly eating Egg Beaters, occasional egg salad, cottage cheese, yogurt, string cheese, tuna, fish such as salmon and tilapia, Morningstar Farms veggie patties, and refried beans. I do eat "solid" proteins, but I do better with them if they are not dry (pork, chicken, turkey, beef). I try to add chicken or beef broth to make sure it is moist enough without adding fat. Check out the Food thread, too, for more great ideas (see link below)! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/ I hope this helps!

Congratulations on being banded! Check out the Food thread on the main forum page for lots of other great ideas for pureed foods to eat (see link below)! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/ Good luck

Congratulations on being banded! I'm surprised that your doctor is already having you eat soft foods--that's a different approach. They typically have patients on only liquids (mainly Protein shakes) for several weeks and then mushy food for several more weeks before solids are introduced. Be sure to check out the Basics for Lap Band Surgery Beginners section on the main page. It has a lot of helpful background information you might find interesting! Good luck and be sure to check with your doctor if you don't feel well!

Congratulations on getting banded! I've never pureed egg salad or tuna. I have read that some folks use tools they already have in their kitchen like a blender or food processor to puree foods. I used a Magic Bullet before, too. I wouldn't put warm or hot foods in it though--pressure can build up and then POP! You'll have food splattered everywhere!! Check out the Food thread for more ideas: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/ Good luck!!!

Hi bparris! I can't emphasize enough how important it is for you to follow your own doctor's instructions. Most of us who participate in this forum are not medical professionals nor should we act like we are--so always take our advice with a huge grain of salt. All we can do is share the knowledge our doctors shared with us (for what that is worth) and our own experiences since being banded. It is extremely irresponsible for anyone to actively encourage a fellow bandster to deviate from their prescribed medical program IMHO. If it helps you at all, here is a direct quote from my doctor's pre-op education packet (writing in all caps reflects all caps statements written in the packet--it's not me "yelling" or anything): At Home After Discharge from Hospital: Continue liquid diet until seen in the office at 10-14 days. DO NOT CHEAT! HYDRATION IS PRIORITY!! YOU MUST STAY ON YOUR LIQUID DIET UNTIL YOU SEE YOUR DOCTOR! YOUR INTERNAL SURGICAL AREAS MUST BE ALLOWED TO HEAL. DO NOT LET THE EATING DISORDER OVERRIDE YOUR EDUCATION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PRESCRIBED DIET PROGRESSION STAGES COULD BE LIFE THREATENING! If you are truly committed to changing your lifestyle and reaching a healthy weight, make every effort possible to stick with the eating plan progression that was prescribed for you. The doctor did not prescribe it because he/she had nothing better to do that day. It is based on current research and on what has been the most successful for his/her patients over the period of time this surgeon has been performing lapband surgeries. If you follow the directions you were given, you are more likely to be a raging success and the weight will start falling off of you! As you progress into mushies at the appropriate time, try to focus on eating healthy foods starting with lean Proteins (not junk food like fatty cheeseburgers) and then soft vegetables (my Dr. suggests green veggies and wants carbs consumed last only if there's room left). It's time to start shifting your mindset. Remember that the biggest battle in our war against fat is conquering the poor eating habits we have developed over the years. If I'm getting somewhere, anyone can! Stick to your program--you CAN do this!

Hi there! I chose to keep my banding a secret from most people because I didn't want to hear a bunch of negative comments or have people inspecting me to try to figure out how much weight I lost! I figured I needed as many positive vibes as possible if I wanted to succeed!

I am staying on plan today because...I don't want my butt to expand again!:faint: