So between pre op and 2 weeks post op down 22.... however it was 24 and now that I am back on solids it is tough! Wish my dr has me on liquids of mushies longer, but 15 days out he starts real food. I have done some good things, like spent all day friday and today making turkey meat loaf cupcakes, baked egg cupcapes, turkey taco wontons, two stews and a roast. So I will have all healthy pre-portioned meals available. However I find myself snacking.... At least its a healthy snack (like 1/2 of the turkey meatloaf cupcake, but still....). I have a 10CC band with no fills, so can only hope that on the 21st I will get a fill and that will help. I am confident I can do this, it's just another little hiccup along the way.

Wow I am calling you Martha Stewart from now on. That all sounds just wonderful! The best advice I can give you is to track every single thing you put in you mouth. And when you reach your calorie count for the day... No more eating, trust me I remember one day I had all my calories by 4pm...it was just one of those days.. Right before a fill....I think I went to bed at 8p just so I wouldn't have to think about not eating any more. Lol

Great job thus far!!

Yes it is hard at this point. You have to be aware of everything you put in your mouth right now. It will be hard for a while because that urge to graze is there. But you have to alot your food for the day and that is it. Once you have reached your calories then that is the end.

Being on solids should be easier than liquids/mushies, because the solids will keep you fuller longer. Great advice about tracking... Do it! When I stopped tracking, my weight loss slowed dramatically. Other than that, with what you're cooking, you already sound successful!!! Best of luck!!

Thanks ladies and I have been tracking everything, even the little tastes when I was cooking and the 1 tator tot I ate off my son's plate..... I haven't hit above 850 calories for the day. I am very thankful for myfitnesspal as I track there.

And trust me Martha Stewart I am not, but I refuse to not have this work for me, so I will just keep cooking healthy things on the weekends and freeze enough to get me through the week.

One key to success is to have strategies in place to help you through the hunger between meals at this stage.

Even today I use hunger as a reminder that it is time for me to begin sipping my required daily amount of Water and other SF/FF fluids. There are sensors in your pouch which will trip and send the "full" signal to your brain. However, I time the hour until I can have something to drink again.

That strategy helped me get through the notorious "bandster hell"...and be aware that a first fill will not likely create sufficient restriction to dramatically curb your hunger. This will always be to some degree a "head game".

Best wishes...you are off to a great start!

Quoting B-52

"Until there's restriction, It's just another diet"

tmf

And trust me Martha Stewart I am not,

Ok Martha...whatever you say....

Thanks ladies and I have been tracking everything' date=' even the little tastes when I was cooking and the 1 tator tot I ate off my son's plate..... I haven't hit above 850 calories for the day. I am very thankful for myfitnesspal as I track there.

And trust me Martha Stewart I am not, but I refuse to not have this work for me, so I will just keep cooking healthy things on the weekends and freeze enough to get me through the week.[/quote']

Just so you know.......there is a very hungry woman at The Jersey Shore who loves to try new recipes..........

I love to cook and I've been making YouTube videos of some lap band friendly meals, if you want to check them out the link is in my siggy below

I love to cook and I've been making YouTube videos of some lap band friendly meals' date=' if you want to check them out the link is in my siggy below [/quote']

Hi, where is the sig? I don't see one.

Hi, where is the sig? I don't see one.

Hi, where is the sig? I don't see one.

It should be right under my post, but if you're on your phone you can't see it. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/user/ashleydgrills?feature=mhee

It should be right under my post' date=' but if you're on your phone you can't see it. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/user/ashleydgrills?feature=mhee[/quote']

Thank you. Maybe it's because I have an iPad I can't see it? But I appreciate it. Yay!

Mara005, I liked your recipes and I LOVE how you relate to your children! Gotta get me a George foreman!

Mara005, I liked your recipes and I LOVE how you relate to your children! Gotta get me a George foreman!

Thank you!

I love your recipes too! For the Mexican mushrooms, was that refried beans only in the mushroom cap?