dylansmom

Here are the lists that my nutritionist gave to me for the different stages of eating after having surgery. The moderator may want to make this thread a sticky for those who don't get defined lists, as I've noticed a lot of questions about this topic in the past. *STAGE 1 - liquids START: When you return home from your surgery DURATION: For 2 weeks post surgery, or until your next dietitian appointment. DIET: Clear and full liquids GOAL: Aim for at least 64 ounces of Fluid for the day by continuous sipping. LIQUIDS RECOMMENDED: Water 100% fruit juice (No sugar added) Bouillon Strained Soups or broths Skim or 1% milk Soy milk Milk shakes - thinned Gatorade or equivalent sports drink Yogurt smoothie drinks - not including homemade Crystal Light sugar free beverages Herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee Popsicles (Pedialyte) LIQUIDS TO AVOID: Citrus juices (orange, grapefruit, pineapple) Acidic liquids (tomato juice, tomato Soup, buttermilk) Caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea) Carbonated beverages (any soda pop, seltzer, or tonic water) Homemade fruit or yogurt smoothies Anything that seems liquid but is not (Jello, yogurt, pudding, ice cream) *Do pour test* *STAGE 2 - MUSHIES START: 2 weeks post surgery DURATION: Up to 2 weeks post liquid stage DIET: Soft food GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day. FOODS RECOMMENDED: Milk (skim or 1% only) Cottage cheese eggs (poached, scrambled or soft boiled) Blended cream soups Yogurt Low Fat Cheese - unmelted Peanut Butter Tofu (silken only) Pudding Applesauce or other fruit sauces Canned fruits Mashed potatoes Cream of Wheat or oatmeal (diluted with milk) *STAGE 3 - SEMI SOLIDS START: 4 weeks post surgery DURATION: 2 weeks post mushies stage DIET: Semi-solid food GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day. FOOD RECOMMENDED: Deli cuts of meat Canned flake meats such as tuna or chicken Ground meats like ground beef or ground turkey Beans Tofu Baked fish or crab meat Pasta, rice, and corn Fresh fruit - eliminate skins Cooked vegetables - avoid celery, asparagus or broccoli stalks Low Fat melted cheese FOODS TO AVOID FOR MUSHIES & SEMI SOLID STAGES: Caloric beverages - sweetened tea, soda, lemonade, juices Ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, & smoothies Regular Jello Dry solids like breads, cereals, crackers, high Fiber foods *STAGE 4 - SOLIDS RECOMMENDED FOODS & SERVING SIZES: Protein GROUP: 1 ounce lean meat, poultry or fish 1/4 cup yogurt 1/4 cup pudding 1/4 cup cottage cheese 1 egg, 2 egg whites 1/4 cup egg substitute 1 tbsp. peanut butter 1 ounce tofu 1 ounce cheese 1/4 cup canned flake meat 1 slice deli meat 2 tbsp. grated cheese 1/4 cup shredded cheese 1/2 cup beans 1/4 cup hommus GRAIN GROUP: 1/2 slice toast 1/4 bagel or english muffin 1/2 cup Cereal (cooked or dry) 1/2 cup broth-type soup 1 oblong graham cracker 1/4 cup rice, pasta, or potato 1/2 small baked potato 1/4 cup corn 4 crackers FRUIT GROUP: 1/4 cup canned fruit (in its own juices) 1/4 cup grapes 1/2 piece fresh fruit 1 tsp. jelly or jam 1/4 cup dry fruit VEGETABLE GROUP: 1/2 cup cooked vegetables 1 cup raw vegetables 1/2 cup tomato juice 1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa OTHERS GROUP: 1 tsp. oil, butter, or margarine 1 tsp. mayonnaise 1 tbsp. Miracle Whip 1 tbsp. sour cream or cream cheese 1 tbsp. salad dressing 2 tbsp. guacamole 4-6 almonds, cashews, or pecans 1 ounce cheese 2 tsp. peanut butter 1 tbsp. tahini 1/4 cup Cool-Whip 1 tsp. sugar, honey, or syrup COMBINATION FOODS: 1 or 1 1/2 cup per meal 1/2 cup per snack CORE PLAN: BREAKFAST: 1-2 Proteins 1 fruit 2 grains 1 other LUNCH: 2-3 proteins 1 vegetable 2 grains 1 other SNACK: 1 fruit 1 protein DINNER: 2-3 proteins 1-2 vegetables 2 grains 1 other SNACK: 1 vegetable 1 grain I hope that this helps those who are researching getting the band, with knowing what your eating habbits will be like after surgery. I also hope that this will help those who are never given a clear eating plan after surgery too. Please know that this is just the plan that was given to me, and I do not expect all bandsters to follow this plan. It is simply a guidline for those who need one/are not given one. Please remember to follow exactly what your surgeon/nutritionist says, even if it is different than this list.

I know it's been a while since I've posted, but life has been incredibly crazy. I just returned from Guatemala 2 days ago, and am rearing to get back out into the world. Does anyone happen to know of companies who will employ you via the internet? I am not talking about get rich quick schemes, or anything like that. I'm talking about legitimate companies who have you work for them, and will allow you to travel the world while under their employ. I am willing to be trained, will work long hard hours, and am willing to reach for goals. While I do not have a college degree, I do have experience in sales and marketing, customer service training/experience, newspaper experience, music composition-reading/vocals, very limited billing training, web site construction, some HTML, and we are willing to relocate to be closer to the company initially. I am only asking here because I know that hundreds, if not thousands of people come here each and every day, and I am serious about wanting this. I need to do better for my family, and if it means any amount of sacrifice, then I'll do it. After serving over in Guatemala, I cannot happily go back to the way that life was before, settling for what has been put in front of me. Nothing in life will ever change if I don't make it change, so it's time to get it done. Thank you to anyone who can give me any amount of help at all. I appreciate it greatly.

Thank you very much for the link Wheetsin. We don't neccessarily want to move to Guatemala, we just want to get out of this town and broaden our horizons. Even if we live here in the US, I can live with that. An overseas job would be ideal, but I'm open for any change at this point. I am going to check that link out right away. I also appreciate your help as well Leatha. Any advice and help is well appreciated at this point.

Happy April Everyone!!!!!!! Pat - It's so good to have you back with us. Sorry you were sick, sounds like it was perty yummy. (The phlem part) LOL Rene - Yeah, I can make some perty yummy health drinks. I am sitting here sipping on a chocolate soy milk w/strawberries n cream protein shake as we speak. Darcy - Thanks again for the compliment on my hair. You're too kind. Sounds like you had wonderful times up at the cabin too. I wish I had a little place like that to retreat to. Maybe one day when I'm old and decrepid I will. LOL Betty - Good to see you back. Sorry about the nice boss having to leave. Hopefully the next one will be equally nice, if not even more so. Take it easy and I wish you many happy and peaceful ZZZZZZZ's. Cindy - I was fighting off a migrane all flippin day again today, so I am seriously feeling your pain. I am sitting here sipping a protein drink in hopes that it will help. I know that I haven't been getting my protein in this week since being filled, and I honestly believe that's the root of my problem. Usually an adjustment at the chiro's takes care of the problem, but I realized that I've been so limited on my intake with very little protein (or much of anything for that matter), that that's probably what my problem is. The shakes pack a 50 grams of protein per shake, so I'm going to have to make one a day the rule from now on I guess. The night went by fast at work, and now I get two off - THANK YOU JESUS! LOL But then I work seven in a row after that. *And the punishment never ends* LOL Never in my life did I think that I'd be able to eat so little and be content, or have trouble getting enough liquids in each day. It is really taking a lot of concentration and effort to get used to my new stomach, but I'm not complaining. This is wonderful compared to being able to hork it on down like I did before. I am still so greatful for this fill. It has already meant the world to me, and the words "sweet spot" begin to have meaning in my life. Well, off to beddie bye I go. Everyone have a great one, and I'll check back in on you chickies tomorrow. Mega Lovins

I felt that I owed all of you on this thread a very brief explanation, and that it wasn't fair to just desert you without one. I am not getting into all of the who-sits and what-sits if you will, but am making this very brief. I have a lot going on here on this end, and have recently had 2 real wake up calls in my life(in a very large magnititude of a way). On top of that, I have seen a lot of things said and done on this board that I do not agree with, and have made the decision to move on with my life, and leave LBT permanantly. I have not posted this anywhere else on this board, or publicly, because I was accused of not meaning it in the past, and accused of many other things, as well as had many words put into my mouth too. So there it is. I've asked the owner of the board to remove all of my remaining posts, since that right was taken away from me, and everyone else here on this board. I will still check my PMs for a short time, then will proceed to moving on altogether. I am not secretly wishing for you to beg me to stay, as a matter of fact I ask that you please do not do that. Nor am I saying this on a whim, nor did I delete a bunch of my posts on whim (as others seem to think I did - without asking me BTW) My mind is made up to move on, and I am at peace with that decision. If you'd like to stay in touch with me, you can feel free to PM me for my email address, and I'd be happy to give that to you. Everyone take care, and best wishes to all of you in your band journies. And with that, I'll give my final bow.

Hi everyone. I'm still here, just have a lot going on on this end. Thanks for thinking of me, and I'll still check in on everyone when I can. Take care everybody!

Sherry - Do not feel badly for venting. We all need someone who will listen to us, even if we don't have all of the answers for you. Sometimes it's just nice to be "heard". I hope that you'll start to feel better about things today, and I will say a prayer for you that you'll receive the answers that you need. How nice of you to take your mother in. You must have a really big heart. Keep your chin up girl.

Hi LBT buddies. I'm feeling a little under the weather today, so this is going to be short and sweet. (If you believe, please pray to the Lord Jesus for my healing. I NEED to go to work today for my family.) I was on here reading when I received a knock on the door. Sure enough, the jeans that you sent me Sherry are here. I tried them all on and they fit perfectly! Almost like they were made just for me. :uwelcome: Thanks again for thinking of me, because I only had one pair of size 26 jeans, so it's nice to have 4 now. I think the Riders fit a little smaller than most other brands, which turned out to my advantage! That's all from here for today folks. I hope that everyone has a great day, and I'll write more tomorrow.

Dianne - Thanks for keeping me in your prayers. I need all of them that I can get right now! I just keep reaching out to God and asking for His guidance, because it's all that I can do. Anne - How have you been? Are you feeling well now? Sherry - Congrats on passing the test! I'll bet that's a load lifted from your shoulders! Glad you had a happy birthday as well. Patty - Glad that you and the boys had fun at the movies. Isn't it amazing what we mothers will do for our children?!?! Definately mother's love. Cindy - I hope that you can adjust to the new med with ease. It amazes me what kinds of side effects some meds can give. Mary - Glad that you and the boys are having fun together. That has definately gotta help their stress levels. Glad you got a cute hair cut too. Sometimes that can make us girlies feel a lot better about ourselves, especially in the midst of what you are facing. Rene - Thanks for the congrats on the smaller pants. Have fun with your exotic review today. LOL Pat - I am so glad that your son has hired an attorney. It sounds like this woman is a total whack job, and that she needs to be put in her place. I hope that he gets full custody of his son, and if he does try to get the little girl, that he can convince that her mother is a nut job, and that she'd be safer and better off with him. What a sad situation. Holy crap on the fill bill too! Mine was a total of $415 and I thought that was bad! Wowza to yours though! Keep coming to us if need be for support. That's what we're all here for. Whether it's band related or not. Donna - Sorry to hear about the break-up with your son and his girlfriend. Hopefully they can work things out. Five years is a long time to throw away. Eileen - Glad that you and Beanie had such a good time together. I gotta see if one those there Cheesecake Factories are even anywhere remotely close to here. Even if one was near my sister's place - we could always go there together during my next visit. We went to this little Thai place that has been voted the best Thai food in Detroit for the last few years. OMG they weren't lying either! I had the cashew chicken and about wet myself. LOL It's nuts how fast they have your food done and out to you too. I kid you not - about 3 to 5 minutes and it was at our table! Just nuts! Nothing much on the agenda for today. Listening to the Wiggles right now - again. He loves that freeking video, then I go to work with those goofy songs stuck in my head. LOL DH is out cutting wood again right now (because he gets paid for it, and every little bit helps), and he will be back later to take over the parental duties while I go to work. I'm so grateful that it's sunny outside today. It was such a dreary, rainy day out yesterday, and it just served to make me feel tired and worn down. Not to mention feeling like a human barometer, with my band getting all tight and making me gassy and yucky feeling while raining. That was truly a weird experience. Gonna run now. Everyone have a great day, and I'll check back later. Peace 'N Love

Feeling a lot less stressed since having 7 hours at work to "sit on it all". Thank you Cindy for the congrats on fitting into the pants. And thank you for the encouragement about the other mess too. I called the ins. co. earlier and found out what happened. They sent us a bill for $500 to renew back in January, and we were like, "What the heck? We're not paying that!" And we thought that we were paid up through March 20th. Well come to find out $245 of that was to cover Jan. 20 to March 20. So there was a lack of communication between us and them back in January, and I should've just called them back then to get it all straightened out. So long story short, we have to come up with $245 some how to pay them off. I asked if they took payments and she didn't know, but said we could come in and pay on it and see what the main office said once they received that initial payment. So whatever. It'll all get paid eventually. Sorry that I haven't done personals in a while. I will have to get back on track tomorrow. Everyone have a good night and morning. Lovins

I was in such a good mood this morning. I had tried on some of my size 24 pants last night that Cindy had sent to me, and to my surprise all but one pair fits! I am beside myself with happiness! I am inbetween sizes for the shirts, because the 26/28s are big and baggy on me now, but the 22/24s are still a little too form fitting around my belly. Surprisingly they fit in the shoulder/bust area perfectly though! So I was all psyched up about this and was coming here to tell you all about it, when I receive a bill in the mail from our former car insurance carrier. They're trying to say that we owe them $336.05 for charges incurred before our policy ended. That's a total crock of chitty bang bang, because we were paid up through March 20th, which is when our policy was supposed to end with them. They're saying that it didn't cancel until April 9th. So they're trying to soak us for over $300 for that short amount of time. The girl is supposed to be calling me back sometime soon, and I'm telling her no way! I'm not paying it. Not only did I NOT authorize them to continue our coverage during that time, they had no right to do so without my consent. Why does it seem like the chit just keeps getting deeper around here? I wanna cry.

Hey ladies. About me sounding sad...... DH and I fought today. I told him that I would be PO'ed if I have to get another job and him work none. I have had "issues" with having to go back to work as it is, because I enjoyed being a SAHM. No one is calling him back and I am getting worried. WE NEED MONEY! I felt bad starting in on him, but I am extremely frustrated with our situation right now. He quit his job, knowing full well that he would be putting us in this predicament, but he did it anyway. Now he wonders why I'm PO'ed still about it. DUH! I let loose on him today, and told him that if I have to take on a 2nd job that I will be extremely pizzed. He just seems so blazeh about it, which makes me even more angry. Then he promised that he'd spend family time with Dylan & I today, and instead he went out and cut wood (which I was fine with), but then proceeded to go fishing with his uncle afterwards, not getting home until 3ish. We spent a whole couple of hours together getting a little shopping done, then took off playing basketball when Dylan fell asleep for his nap. He promised he'd only be gone an hour (that was at 7PM) and it's now 10PM. So if I sound just a little sad, and just a little pizzed.....well, I guess I am. He just keeps digging himself deeper and deeper on my chit list. *sigh*

I have itchy skin. What the heck is wrong with me? It's only on my neck, and just started a couple of days ago. I'm wondering if the sun irritated it and is causing it to be itchy. It did that to me last year too. GGGGGGRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Pat - Holy monkey girl! She sounds like a nasty little tramp. I'm so happy that your son has put his foot down and kicked her to the curb. Hopefully he will get custody of the baby, and maybe even her 6 year old. Darcy - Glad you had such a good time on your trip. I would've been oohing and aahing over those quilts for sure. DOC - Glad that you had a good time on your trip as well. Beanie & Eileen - Glad you 2 had so much fun together. I wish I could afford to take a trip around the country visiting my fellow bandsters. Anne - Congrats on the size 18s. Patty - Congrats on passing the psych test. Nothing new happening here. Will write again when I have something useful to say.

Hi Ladies - This is going to be a quickie because I'm too pooped to participate. :bored After working 7 days in a row I'm going to thoroughly enjoy my 2 off. Not sure if I'll go cut wood with DH tomorrow or not. I should, just for the exercise and extra money. I want to start potty training Dylan tomorrow though, so we'll see what happens. I tried eating my faux chicken nuggets today and oy. I could do it, I just had to take small bites and chew well. Even dipped in honey mustard sauce it was still touch and go. :nervous I received the "better than best" multivitamin samples yesterday that I had asked for back before I got my fill. Those suckers were freekin horse pills so DH cut them into 3 pieces for me. Even so, you were supposed to take all 3 horse pills in one day. Needless to say I swallowed the first 3 pieces - 2 stayed down, 1 came back up. Talk about unappealing - imagine looking at puke green colored pills hacked back up in slime. Niiiiiiiicccccccce. Well now that I've thoroughly grossed all of you out I'm outta here. Everyone take it easy. Gonna go snuggle with my little buddy before heading to bed. Lovins, ~Kelly Girl

Thank you for the sweet words everybody. You all know how to make a girlie feel a million times better about things. I'm so glad that you're back with us Eileen. I missed your sense of humor. You ALWAYS say something to make me laugh. We went shopping today and finished paying bills too. I don't know how God does it, but He never ceases to amaze me. We had enough to pay the van payment, the car insurance payment, and the electric bill too. Plus enough to put gas in the van and buy groceries, with $5 left over. Amazing. Don just went to pick up his very last check a few minutes ago, and that money will be banked for the next round of bills/groceries/gas. He also sent another resume today, so he is at least trying now, and looking everyday now too. I gotta keep my eyes on that boy though, lemme tell ya. I was about ready to smack him up along side the head and knock a little common sense into him. LOL I'm not quite sure what's up with this goofy Michigan weather here. It was in the 50s yesterday and absolutely beautiful. I worked out in the greenhouse for the first half of my night at work, and it was wonderful. Now it's snowing outside and only in the 30s today. I sure wish it'd make it's stupid mind up and decide what it wants to do out there. Spring WOULD be nice. LOL Well ladies I'm gonna scoot. Gotta be to work in a just under 2 hours, so I'm gonna enjoy somemore time with my Dilly Doodles before I go. Lotta Love

Thanks for the kind words everybody. He WAS ok with me going away. He has been such a big supporter of me with my LapBand (which is why I was in the city - to get it adjusted), and is always so happy for me whenever I lose more weight. He loves me regardless, but celebrates all of my victories right along with me. He had been unhappy at his job for a long time. The temp agency would do nothing to help him out (The place he was working at would not hire him in permanently, but would always say what a good worker he was.), so he finally got tired of being dicked around and being underappreciated - thus that being the reason why he quit. I think it was more of an ego thing than anything. He said that it was causing him a lot of stress and anger issues too. I stayed up until 2AM looking for jobs for him, because he stayed the night out at his mom's with Dylan so that he could help her out (for pay) with some things today. I found some good leads, and am hoping that something pans out. Even if we have to move, we're both ok with that. Well, I need to scoot. I have to go run a few more errands, then it'll be time to go back to work. *And again I say - the punishment never ends* LOL Everyone have a great day. ~Kel

Please be in prayer for Don, Dylan, and I. I came home from the city last week only to find out that Don had quit his job. I was in shock and have been a raging wench ever since. I am under an incredible amount of stress in trying to help him find a new job. I am so sick and tired of being the only one that seems to care. He has such a blazeh attitude about it all. Like, "Oh, everything will be ok. We're always alright and it'll all be fiiiiinnnnnne." We are finally doing well financially and now this. If he doesn't find something soon then we will be right back to sh*t again. Sorry for the bad attitude, but we've fought so hard and have come so far that I don't need this crap right now. I know that this is an attack of the devil on us, me, our family.....because everything was going so well, and we were making such progress. Sorry for the rambling, please just pray that he will find something good and decide to stick with it this time. He is normally such a hard worker and good provider, that this totally threw me off guard. I can understand that he is tired of being jerked around by the temp agency, but we need our bills paid too! I think it's time that I start praising God for what we do have, start rebuking the devil in Jesus' name & remind him that he's nothing more than a defeated foe, and begin begging God for mercy and a favorable heart and hand to be turned our way. Thanks for letting me ramble. It's really helped me to realize what I need to do now. I REFUSE to let the devil win!!!!!!!

Sherry, Nope, you don't need the original. I've had mine missing for years now and just keep forgetting to get it replaced. You will need some major sources of ID though. I think I used my birth certificate and driver's liscense. They will take your birth certificate and keep it (to send in to the government agency who issues the passports), but you will get it back when they send you your passport. I know what you mean about misplacing things. Isn't that frustrating?!?!?!

I got my passport today! Woohooo! I'm so excited and can't wait to go! Hurry up and get here summer!!! My MIL bought us pizza for lunch today, and I was a little afraid to try eating it. I did manage to eat 1 1/2 pieces though without incidence, and just took very small bites, ate very slowly, and chewed it up really well. I really need to get off of here now, but wanted to stop in and say hi. I'm enjoying some peace and quiet before heading to work in an hour. Everyone have a great day!

I also do not have time for personals tonight, but wanted to ask a few quick questions. Today for breakfast I had 1 poached egg, 1 small round piece of sausage, and about a 1/3 piece of toast. Is it normal to be able to eat bread? I was afraid to try it, and surprised that it didn't give me any grief. I saved to the last though, and made sure to eat the egg and sausage first (since they're protein). I noticed that so far the only things that I really have to be careful eating are my ricotta cheese, and also scalloped potatoes. I tried eating one bite of really well chewed scalloped potato and I ended up walking around to avoid a PB. *phew* I had popcorn chicken bites from work tonight and those went down fine as well. I'm really surprised that I can eat everything the same still. I've even eaten regular chicken, just cut up really small and with italian dressing to lube it up, and no problems at all. I guess I should be counting my blessings instead of questioning whether or not I'm a weirdo for still being able to eat it all. LOL I'm still having a hard time slowing down with my eating. I noticed that I still want to cram it in way too fast, so I gotta keep working on that. I had a very stressful day, and ended up having to do a little Tae Kwon-Do in the bathroom at work. (I know, what a weirdo - but it really helped relieve some of that stress, and relaxed me enough to enjoy the rest of my night at work.) My husband's lack of desire to hunt for a new job is really wizzing me off, and I'm the one who ends up on here emailing his resume to all of these different places. Makes me wanna scream! :embarassed: Anywho......I need to scoot. Everyone have a super night and I'll try to check back in again tomorrow morning. Lotta Love n Stuff - ~Kelly Girl

Bandless Buddies & Beauties

Just popping in for a quick update. I went and weighed myself today and initially was a bit disappointed when I saw that I had only lost one more pound. But then I realized that it had only been five days since I last weighed in, and then I felt a little bit better about that. I also thought, "Duh, at least you're finally losing and not bouncing back and forth!" Glad to finally be done with work for the night. Now I only have six more days until I get another day off. And the torture never ends. LOL Well, I'm outta here. Getting tired and it's midnight already. Everyone have a good one.

Well, once again I had a bunch of personals all written out and lost them. How frustrating! I will attempt to do them again. Cindy - Don't worry about bragging about your daughter's achievements. I would definately do the same if it were my child. She must be one very smart girl! Trish - What happened with the band was not your fault and you need not feel like a failure. You will receive your new band in due time, and when you do get it, you will rock that thing like no other band has been rocked before! :rockon: Patty - So glad that you and the boys got to spend a happy day together. And as for the ex you know what they say.. He'll reap what he sows. Betty - What's up with you having to clean up a bunch of messes lately? You poor thing. Here's praying you get your much needed rest, and that the new boss isn't a poo poo head & will treat you with the same respect as the former one. Dianne - I know we don't know each other very well, but I already adore you. You're such an encourager and sweetie. Maybe you've struck a chord with me because we're sister's in the Lord. Sherry - Glad you had such a great time with your husband and friends. Friends have that special way of lightening our heart and making us smile. Anne - Aren't those lazy days the best?!?!?! We had one of those yesterday too after coming home from church. It was cold and rainy, so we just sat around and vegged. Oh! And the faux riblets are made by Gardenburger. They taste just like ribs, but aren't real meat. I tried BBQ'd tofu once and it wasn't pretty. The sauce made it so hot that I couldn't stand to eat them. The tofu part wasn't that bad, it was just my choice of BBQ sauce to cook it with. Bleckt! Well.....I'm gonna scoot now. Gonna go get my shower and get dressed, then do some other errands too. Everyone have a great day, and I'll see ya'll around. Lotsa Love, ~Kel

Today was such a great day. Relaxing, intriguing, and time well spent with my son. He has been such a sweet boy today. I had some chicken tonight for dinner, along with some carrots. I was afraid to eat real meat (I get the boca burgers and mostly eat those) because I wasn't sure how my stomach would handle it. I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to eat it with no problems - but I made sure that I cut it up really fine and chew chew chewed. I had a faux riblet earlier today, and I could only manage about half of it, and that was with nothing else to eat either. I'm still so excited over my new tum tum. It can be so hard to get my mind around the fact that a 1/2 faux riblet now fills me to the gills, when I used to be able to eat 2 of them no with no problems. So weird, but wonderful all at the same time. I am still having a hard time getting enough liquids in too, but am sitting here forcing myself to drink as much as my stomach will take. I don't want to become dehydrated and pass out again. That would not be cool. (Sipping on an orange smoothie - made with orange juice - right now. YUM!) Well, hubby is heading to bed and I should too. We have church in the morning, and I definately need my beauty sleep. LOL Have a good one ladies!