Windfury

Seems like a great site, but I don't see any other way to register but through Facebook? I don't have a Facebook account, so, I guess I can't use that site? Or maybe I'm missing something?

Two thumbs up, way up! Well done!

I made this for lunch today and it was quite tasty. I got this from the "Band Friendly Recipes" website. Enjoy! Broiled Eggplant Parmesan 1 15oz can diced Italian tomatoes 2 medium eggplants salt and pepper 6 oz part-skim mozzarella, shredded 1/4 cup grated Parmesan 1/3 cup Italian- seasoned bread crumbs Preheat broiler to high; place a rack about 8 inches from heat source. Line a baking sheet with foil and mist with cooking spray. Drain tomatoes and puree in a blender or food processor. Set aside. Slice eggplant into 1/3 inch thick slices. Mist both sides of eggplant slices with cooking spray and sprinkle salt and pepper. Broil eggplant until golden brown, turning once, 10- 12 minutes total. Remove baking sheet from oven. Spoon on some tomato puree, sprinkle with both cheeses, and top with bread crumbs. Place back into oven and broil until cheese is melted and bread crumbs are toasted, 1- 2 minutes. Serve immediately 266 calories, 11 g. fat and 18 g. Protein Note: This makes a ton. Two eggplants is a lot. I split the recipe except for the can of tomatoes. Plus, the skins of the egg plant were a little hard to eat. Next time, I think I might peel the skin off before cooking.

Will it be easy peasey? No, it will not. Will it be worth it? ABSOLUTELY! You need to truly want this, and you need to change your mindset about food. Food will never go away, so, if food is an addiction for you (I was a junkfood addict), then you need to change how you see food. It's all in your mind Wozzie, and you control that. You choose your actions. You took the step towards making a lifetime change for yourself. You are so worth it!!! Focus on what needs done, and why you are doing it. Your health will improve, your self-image will improve, your confidence will increase.....that's what you need to think of when you sip your shakes. It will get better, but it will not be easy. I hope you have a good support system at home, to help you with your lifetime goals. My husband is very supportive and he's the only one that knows about my lapband- I made a personal decision NOT to tell family and friends. However, the people on this website have been nothing but encouraging and supportive. So make sure to come here often, and make some friends. Read up, look at people's photo albums and see the amazing transformations. Be encouraged and inspired by then. I know I am! Like the previous posters said: Be positive and know that you CAN do this. Stay busy and focused. We are here for you!

Fantastic job! You are an inspiration and you look beautiful! Two thumbs up!!

I weigh myself once a day, after I get out of bed

If you can afford to take a full 14 days of rest, I would do it. I did it and that allowed me sufficient time to heal, and get used to being banded. I'm happy I had the time to recover fully, given the fact that I was very nauseated for the first 4-5 days after the surgery. Two weeks is ideal, but depending on your metabolism and your body, you might feel good enough to go back in 1 week or 10 days. Good Luck to you!

Thanks Terry! I will subsitute my light sour cream for the non-fat yogurt. Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

Hi Karen~ I just went for my 1st fill, two days ago. I now have a total of 4cc's in my band. I wish I could tell you that I'm doing all these exercises, and that's what is helping me, but I am not. Once I get below 200lbs, which is my mini-goal right now, I will start exercizing daily. For now, I'm just letting my band do the work and using it to its full potential. I have made a lot of changes in my eating habits, both in how I eat and what I eat. Portion was never an issue for me, junk food and erratic eating schedule were my downfall. I'm a junkfood girl! I LOVE, LOVE LOVE potato chips, dips, crackers, etc. I also love cake and Cookies, and of course, could also not resist the occasional coconut cream pie, or raspberry pie. When I first made the decision to get the lap-band, I put my mind to making changes during my 6-month waiting period. I stopped drinking pop, and chocolate milk. I hate Water, but I made myself drink more every day. I switched from 2% milk to skim milk, or almond milk. I eat little meals throughout the day and most of them consist of Protein. I eat 1 fruit a day (apple, orange, or 1/2 banana). I've also started trying new recipes, and now make the time to cook meals. It's only my husband and I (no children), so it was so much easier for us to order out 3-4 times a week, vs. cooking. Now, we only order out on weekends, and when we do, they are decent meals. No pizza, no fried foods, no pastas. We only order chicken, steaks, or fish and our sides are usually a sweet potato, or a salad. That's it. We are no longer buying sweets, and we have NO junk food in the house, except for microwaveable popcorn, which I don't eat, but hubby likes it. With that said, I still believe in having a "treat" on occasion. So last week, I went to the bakery and bought banana bread. I sliced a normal slice, then cut it in half. I had one half and hubby had the other, and I was satisfied. I watch my calorie intake and try to write down all I eat on my Fitbit Dashboard. If you have not looked into a Fitbit Zip yet, I would suggest it. It is such a neat little gadget, as it motivates you to keep moving... I know I wrote a ton, and I'm hoping I have helped you Every day, make yourself do something new or different. Eat something you have never had before, try a new veggie, a new fruit. Keep track of everything you are eating. I love my Protein shakes as well. I buy unjury in Chocolate Splendor and mix it with almond milk. It is very satisfying and will keep me feeling full for at least 3-4 hrs. I start my day with that Be proud of what you have lost so far! That's awesome! Have you had your first fill yet? Do you feel like the band is working for you, meaning, do you still feel restricted?

That's fantastic!!! Celebrate that success girl! Good on you!!!!

I'm really having a hard time with that yogurt. I love Greek yogurt, however the plain non-fat has a taste that's difficult for me to acquire. I must say that I have never used it in egg salad or tuna salad, and I might give it a try. I could never eat it plain....YUCK! Thanks for the tip about the tunal salad, I will give it a try next time.

I was the same way....when I first started, I thought 6 months would be like 6 years! But honestly, they flew by and lo and behold, I was having my surgery. Take the time to take all necessary steps to get mentally and physically ready. Start making changes in your eating habits, and read up, ask questions, etc. I stopped drinking Diet Coke during my 1st month, I took a few cooking lessons during the next 2 months, so I could "learn" to cook healthy. I made myself try new foods like: couscous and quinoa. I started drinking almond milk, and the list goes on Hang in there and enjoy the journey! Six months will be here sooner than you think! Glad to have you here!

Ahahahahhaha- my hubby would have probably passed out. He's squeamish when it comes to needles. I did not look at the needle at first, only because my doctor advised me that I might not want to see that....HOWEVER, when I felt the BIG pinch, I was like..."What the heck??" and of course looked and then my eyes got big, which made my doctor chuckle.... Yeah...note to self: Do not look at the needle

Well, I got my first fill today, so I now have 4cc's in ..Yay! While it wasn't the most painful thing, it certainly was not a breeze either. That's a big friggin needle...and it was a BIG pinch! LOL... Anyways, I survived

I'm glad I got to read this tonight! I'm going tomorrow for my 1st fill, and I was kind of nervous about it. Seems like it's a breeze SageTracey~ You made me laugh with your "Realistic Rita"....LOL! Never heard that one before but I like it!

Left side, under my ribs

I agree with DesertRose- the Leslie Sansone DVD's are AWESOME! Look for the 1 Mile Walk, 2 Miles, 3 Miles, etc....all of her DVDs are great! I never get tired of doing them.

Welcome aboard girl!!!! So proud of you Yay!!!!!! YOU DID IT!!!

The only person I told was my husband and it will remain that way.

I'm a cereal girl myself, so I'm really missing it now that' I've been banded. I did buy the Special K- Protein cereal, made with soy flakes. They are really delicious! 1/2 cup with skim milk and my cereal craving is satisfied.

Sam~ I hope you are having a better day today. Thinking of you xoxoxo

Sam~ Sometimes, words are not strong enough to convey the emotions we want to share. All I can say is that you will have better days ahead. Know that you are loved, and you are beautiful inside out. No matter what, you will get through this. It's ok to cry, let it be a cleansing cry. Then, when you are ready, wipe those tears, stand tall and be proud. You are so worth it! As far as your boyfriend breaking up with you.....when you think about it, do you really want someone like that in your life? One who will not think twice about leaving you when you need them the most? I don't think so. You deserve more, much more! For now, it's perfectly ok to cry, let it all out. I'm sharing with you, one of my favorite poems. It has helped me a lot in the past, when going through rough Patches. I hope you find some comfort and solace in it. Sending you a big hug xoxoxo ~After a while...~ After a while you learn The subtle difference between Holding a hand and chaining a soul And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning And company doesn't always mean security. And you begin to learn That kisses aren't contracts And presents aren't promises And you begin to accept your defeats With your head up and your eyes ahead With the grace of a woman Not the grief of a child And you learn To build all your roads on today Because tomorrow's ground is Too uncertain for plans And futures have a way Of falling down in mid flight After a while you learn That even sunshine burns if you get too much So you plant your own garden And decorate your own soul Instead of waiting For someone to bring you flowers And you learn That you really can endure That you are really strong And you really do have worth And you learn and you learn With every good bye you learn. Veronica A. Shoffstall

Mine is on the right side of my big incision- I can actually feel it when I press down

Congrats on your new band! The first few days can be rough, so hang in there! It will get better, I promise I did not have much pain from the gas, I suffered from acute nausea instead. Between the two, I much would have prefered to have the gas pain....I have a high pain threshold. I did not take any pain meds at all after my surgery. Get plenty of rest, walk around as much as you can, and use a heating pad to relieve some of the gas pain. Good Luck to you! You are on your way to a wonderful new YOU

Absolutely LOVE this idea! I'm in as well!! Thank you Duchess!!