Hi everyone--I thought I'd listen to some advice from one of the other monthly groups and start one master thread in which we have an ongoing discussion/updates. I don't know about you all but I certainly spend most of my time on these boards on the pre-op forum and the general forum, not here. It would be nice to have just one thread to go to once in this forum.

We can maybe start out with introductions?

As for me, I'm going the "online privacy" route for now (paranoid that people I haven't told about this will somehow stumble across me on this site I guess, which is crazy, I know) but I can give you the big picture:

You can call me Penny, I'm 27, single and live in the Washington, DC area. I have a background in politics (which is why I live in DC) but now I'm a librarian which is much cooler and way more fun (trust me on that). Oh, and there's no "Marion the Librarian" thing with me either. One of the things I hear most frequently (besides the cliche "you have such a pretty face") is "but you don't LOOK like a librarian", which is another one of those bizarre backhanded compliments that you never really know how to take.

Personality wise, I'm kind of dorky, big into public radio and books and popular science. Oh, I'm also a little on the paranoid side (as you may be able to tell from earlier in this post). Beyond that I'm just kind of silly and friendly, VERY much so into traveling and I'm an aspiring "green" domestic diva (but that's not going so well).

Have you guys tried quiche? It's a very soft/mushie friendly food and I've been loving it for lunch and dinner:

6 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 cup cheese

salt and pepper

dash of nutmeg

1 can of spinach

bake on 375 for 35 mins! it's super easy and VERY yummy. Good way to get in protein AND veggies :biggrin2:

PDXBanster,

I have never made quiche before do you just mix it all togther and put in a caserol type baking pan?

Do you have any other easy ideas like this one?

Hey everyone! sorry im just now getting back to you. yes, you mix all the ingredients together, spray a square baking dish with some pam, and bake1

quiche usually has a pie crust, but I leave it out. it's super yummy!!

Thx for responding, i'm gonna try it to night

I'm having my lunch at my desk right now and I'm so famished I just want to scarf it down but I ate the first bite a little fast (even though I chewed a lot) and it reminded me to slow TFD!!!! I have got to make sure I have nutrious snacks at work with me so I don't let myself get to this starving point. My 2nd fill is next Tuesday so hopefully that will help me from getting to this point as well.

Thanks so much for the recipe ideas

keep those recipes coming. I need all the ideas I can get!:tt2:

It seems like it's been while since we've heard from some of our original members. It may be that you guys are lurking but not posting so I'd love to hear from you. Just post a hello or something to let us know you're still with us.

I'm still here. I have one more week of mushies to complete my four weeks. I haven't lost anything in at nearly three weeks. I'm trying to be patient. The good news is that my "morning sickness" finally seems to be gone. For this I am truly grateful!

Patience, patience...

Orea:bored:

Orea, you're so close to your first goal (just 12 lbs) and I'm sure you'll hit it as soon as you go off mushies and into solid foods. 4 weeks is a VERY LONG TIME to be on mushies. I bet you're looking forwarding to hearing crunch when you bite down.

Dionna, I hope so. I'm so ready for a crisp fall apple! If my surgeon is this conservative about fills, I hate to think how long it will take to get to my sweet spot.

So I ate a half of a toasted tuna fish sandwich yesterday. no problems!!!

but i am looking forward to more restriction down the road...bc im definitely still hungry!

oh and i'll dig into my recipe book tonight and post some more lap band friendly recipes asap! :tt2:

Hi everyone - I had a reality check at the Dr's yesterday. If you're like me I have struggled and get disappointed pretty easily during this new journey.

I was complaining about slow weight loss, hunger, etc. He reminded me that it's only been 5 weeks, that I am still healing and that hunger will be normal until the first fill. He encouraged me to try to get in protein and water. He also said that if I needed to up my calories to 1500 that was ok. My first fill in 9/8. He said that things will get better then with my hunger.

So, just wanted to pass that along so you know you're normal if you are feeling like I am!!

Hey Boos. I had my first fill on 8/19 and it didn't abate my hunger or give me any noticeable restriction (except I can stop at 2 cups of food and be satisfied). I have been told it may take as many as 2 or 3 fills before you start noticing reduction of hunger and restriction after a small amount of food.

Hey All..

I went in for my first fill today and left without one! :blink:I did the barium swallow and was telling the doctor that I am still feeling some restriction and I feel tired all the time (I am BFeeding my little one) and he said he wasnt going to give me a fill and that I needed to go get some bloodwork done because I may be anemic or not getting enough protein. he said I looked more pale than he would like.. NICE! :biggrin: I take a pre-natal vitamin so I cant imagine I am low in iron.

thankfully I am not starving all the time yet.. notice I said yet. he said with my swallow that things were still going pretty slow.. and to come back if 1/2 to 3/4 stops making me feel full. Maybe I will see him in a week who knows?:tt2: I have to admidt that I was a little nervous that he was gonna fill me and I wasnt going to be able to get the nutrients I need and be even more tired.

I have to admidt I was choking down protien water before I got there because I was so nervous!!

Hey Boos. I had my first fill on 8/19 and it didn't abate my hunger or give me any noticeable restriction (except I can stop at 2 cups of food and be satisfied). I have been told it may take as many as 2 or 3 fills before you start noticing reduction of hunger and restriction after a small amount of food.

My first fill on 8/21 did nothing for me. I am so hungry..... I called the doctor yesterday and talked to the PA that does the fills. She said that probably all the swelling from the surgery is gone. I am going in for a second fill on Sept 8th. I can't wait. I was able to eat a kids hamburger today and that is scary. It was my first bread and I ate the whole thing. I was full though, for about four hrs. I think it will take at least 3 or 4 fills for me.

I've got my 2nd fill scheduled for 9/2. I really, really need it because I've been starving the past couple of days. I have been exercising every day (couch to 5K every other day and aerobics on the days I'm not doing c25k).

It feels so good to exercise!!!! Can I get an Amen?