Hi, I really would like to be able to keep in touch with all of you waiting for

December surgery and as we progress on our way to success. Maybe start with Date of surgery, Where banded, Present weight and goal weight. Of course, add anything else that is helpful to others or if you need some words of encouragement hopefully someone here will step up and help us.

I will be banded 12/12/06

Banded in Wisconsin

Starting Weight 266

Goal 140

KayDot beat me to it... I will second THAT! mmmmmm Margaritas

Steph your doing great, and I keep writing down your "mad scientist" recipes to save for my future liquid diet dates.

You're blazing the Smoothy Trail my sister!

LOL - the margaritas got you going? LOL actually I don't like them, but the girls are do. Btw - when I say neices I'm talking ages of 34 down to 22.

Ok so I was in walmart the other day and I saw the magic bullet blender - I put the bug in dh ear hoping santa will bring it to me.

My new concoction - chocolate slimfast with a 1/2 c. of frozen raspberries. I loved it - dd said she could still taste the slimfast - beware of the seeds in the bottom of the cup. I've always loved choc/rasp flavor so this was great for me. I still have a couple more cans of slimfast to use up then I'm going to try something better. Tell me your favorites.

I like XS by nutrilite for a protein shake, i like the strawberry and rich chocolate, vanilla not so yummy. They have 35 grams of protein each per 12 ounces, so I can just drink 2 a day to get in 70 grams from just shakes.

Okay, it hit me today that I am really close to having this surgery and need to start figuring out what the heck I will be eating when I get home. I bought some of those Campbell's Select Soups that are in the cartons (expensive!) because they are blended and have not bits in them. I think anyway...I will try them this week and see if they are okay. I also bought SlimFast low card because it had the least amount of sugar and most Protein I could find in my local supermarket. I think they were 20 or so grams. Not sure if these are any good either. I say the Whey Low (?I think this was the name of it) in my local pharmacy. The big huge container of powder you scoop into your milk. Has anyone tried this?

I had a braun hand blender years ago and never used it so I tossed it. Now I have to go buy something again. Did anyone try the magic bullet (:cheeky why does this remind me of a bedroom toy--oops sorry I know that is fresh but it does ). Is it any good?

So many questions now that I have final realized I am doing this for real!

I want to toot my horn a little because I am so proud of myself for hitting the gym 4 to 5 days a week for the past 5 weeks. I am up to 50 minutes on the elliptical and i am feeling really good. I was so freaked out about my "fatty liver" that I figured I better get my butt in gear before this surgery and I was hoping the workouts will help my recovery. Sorry to be all about myself today..hope everyone is well!!!!

I would stay away from the protein shakes with milk in them. The American Whey protein powder(GNC or any health store) is great. Two scoops in a cold 16oz bottle of cold water. Taste like a yohoo. I bought a very small food processor and used it for cottage cheese, and puree food. Not sure about the bullet, just know that blenders and such make air in your food and air makes gas. Soups should be low sodium and reduced fat. Campbells health choice is a good one. Good luck

Hey KayDotRN - Try to find the book Eating for Life by Bill Phillips, it is a great book with receipes, grocery list and I have made most of the receipes and they are great. Really teaches you that to lose weight you have to eat all the time. My doctor gave me the book and I started it on Oct 24th and lost 6 pounds by my surgery date. It works.

Thanks Mel,

I have both a small and larger Cuisinart food processer. Maybe I will have to start keeping those out on the counter. I was just looking for something easy to use and quick to clean.

I am keeping an eye on my sodium as I have high blood pressure. I was thinking that during the liquid phase I will have to do the best I can and will probably have more sodium than I usually do because of my limited menu. What is wrong with dirnk with milk in them? I was not sure about that. My surgeon recommends things like Carnation Instant Breakfast and other GNC type milk based Protein shakes. Is there a reason to avoid milk? Curious...

I will check out that book. Thanks!!!

I have been following WW since my consultation meeting to lose the 10 pounds required and I have been exercising religiously. 12 pounds down today. I am definitely interested in healthy options so I wil check that book out. Thanks again.

Milk products have alot more fat in your diet. Remember the trick is 120grams of protein a day, Keep your carbs anywhere below the protein level, Low sugar (labels should be single digits and fats should be single digits) Calculate for the whole day, not just one meal. I also have 3 vactiv chewables (chocolate) for calcium and 1 chewable multi-vitamins.

You guys have to check out this thread. I decided to post on it a few days ago to try to ease the worry of the woman who posted it originally. Take a look at the response. This woman is rude and ruthless. I just can't believe someone would be like this...

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=26021

I just wanted to give my fellow December bandsters a heads up in case you encounter her on the site. She could really scare the crap out of you with her "doom and gloom" opinions.

Hello! I am being banded on Dec 18 with Dr Ortiz! I am so excited!

Hey Victoriaj.

I am having mine on the 19th of Dec. In Overland Park, Ks. I am excited and hopeing I am doing the right thing. I read that post by the other lady on lapband talk. She has sorta scared me. but i am going ahead anyway.

surgery date 13-19-06

Wt. 242

goal 142

Ht 5'

I join the team I have suregery in Tijuana Mexico on 12/06/06

no liquid diet no nothing but I am taking care of not eating nothing that i should regret later

Wish everyone the best we are in the same boat and we will make it !

New year new life NEW US!!:clap2:

Clau :clap2:

Yea Clau!!!! We will make it , just can't you see us next year. I noticed in my last post I put 13. Ha. There arn't 13 mo. in a year. I meant 12.Duh!!!!!!!!

Hi! I am decided to use Dr. Ortiz and and trying to get a surgery date of Dec. 17 or 18. I am just waiting for my funding. Dr. Ortiz sounds fantastic! I have actually talked to someone who wen to him and they had nothing but great things to say!

He has a lot of experience too. I am so ready to do this. I have actually only been on this board for about two weeks and researching lapband for about the same time. But,, I have been watcing my friend who has had hers for a year. She also did hers in Mexico with Dr. Pedro Herrera Terrazas. I remember when she first told me she went to Mexico and I couldn't believe it. But, I see now it was only my own ignorance then. Who's to say doctors in other countries are not as good or better than the US? I guess it is just an automatic stereotype people do including myself until I really looked into it and educated myself.

I am a lower bmi patient 5'5 and 185. If I am not on a low carb diet and constantly dieting, I easily gain. I am sure I have gained 5 pounds since Thanksgiving since i am not doing low carb. I am eating everything in moderation, since I know I won't be able to eat certain foods for a while and some permanently.

The problem is, what I think is moderation, is in actuality a lot I guess. When I have counted calories, I underestimate what I really eat.

Looking forward to being a part of this group!

Audree:nervous