thundandlight

Congratulations is in order to you too! You're almost there, such an accomplishment! Keep up the good work

Congratulations Kacee and good luck to your next 17! I can't wait to also post that I've lost some weight.

I like a ripe pear cut up small in 1 cup of ff cottage cheese, adding cinnamon. I could eat that twice a day. After the surgery I'll have to stretch that to 1/2 c cott ch & 1/2 pear 2X a day I think. I like steamed swiss chard, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, etc. I will probably stick to those vegies after the banding once I can get on the reg foods. I also like peas so I may have small amounts of that also maybe in my salad (from frozen and not cooked). I think it's important and healthy to mix equally your vegies with proteins. I hope I can eventually eat the broccoli flowers too, that's another one of my favorites.

<p>My husband is concerned that I might need blood during the surgery for some reason and I am not donating any for myself, or that they won't have blood for me if I need it. To my knowledge, there isn't any reason to receive blood because it's not that of an invasive procedure. Just wondering if anyone knows anything about this.</p>

Hi Sue, It is now 3:17 am and I just put the bird in the oven! Sue, I wondered if it was you because I remembered you saying you had lost a lot of weight and I really liked the info you shared about walking outside in all weathers, you said the weather never stopped you because had all your gears. I told my husband that's what I need to do, and no more excuses. Yes I agree with you there were too many people last night but to no one's fault I guess. I'm sure it's because a lot of people needed the support making it through the Thanksgiving feast. I also hope the group is smaller in the future. I like smaller groups myself. Do you remember me? I had my husband with me and I was sitting pretty much across from you. I didn't say anything. Too many people. I am pretty shy when I don't know anyone. It was nice talking to you. Happy Thanksgiving!

I am also seeing dr. Arthur & Adam Glasgow in Norwood, MA. They are a super father and son team. They're caring, compationate and very understanding doctors. I'm so lucky to have found them both. I just went to my first support group meeting last night and I learned so much. I feel really good and am quite ready. They are so thorough about explaining everything to everyone. It was really nice to meet people that have already been banded and to hear how well they are doing. Everyone has stories that make a lot of sense. Dec. 3rd is my pre-op date with Adam Glasgow and my procedure date is Dec 27th. What a great way to start the new year!

I'm getting banded Dec 27th! I'm so happy. I start the liquid 10 day diet Dec 17th right thru Christmas but that doesn't bother me. I'm going to enjoy my Thanksgiving meal as my very last "normal" - I mean quantity holiday meal! hehe. I'm ready. Happy to join you all. Happy Thanksgiving!

Good luck with your surgery Eclipse, keep in touch! I'm sure we all get a little anxious as it gets closer to the time, but I'm sure you'll do just fine. Take good care.

Excellent!

Lorid, This is great! I just love all these success stories! 50 lbs! I feel good just thinking about how fabulous you must be feeling. Thanks for sharing your accomplishment with us. How would you rate on a scale one to 10 the difficulty on getting used to eating less and making the right choices of food? What do you think is helping you stay under control?

Patty, I am amazed to see how fast everyone is loosing weight! You were banded Nov 1st and you're down 50 lbs already! This is a miracle. You must be feeling awesome! I don't know what it's like to feel to be 50 lbs lighter, I can't wait.

I just wanted to give you a pat on the back for all the 92 lbs you've lost since 2005. You have to be very proud of yourself.

I am so glad to read about how your anxiety caused you over eat for 6 - 8 wks prior to your surgery because I am going thru the same thing...I am nervous and eating a lot more than I normally would, and that's a lot more. It's a little frightening, I don't want to gain more weight! I know I'm doing the right thing, I just wish it was already over. I have another 6 weeks before the big date.

Thank you for letting me know Bob. I will make sure I don't use any herbal supplements for at least 2 wks prior and I will also run it by my doctor. I have the app't Dec. 3rd to finalize the surgery, I would never have thought to ask if it wasn't brought up. Thanks again.

I use stevia every day. It's expensive but well worth it. It takes great in everything like tea, cottage cheese, yogurt etc. and since it's concentrated I only use a very little amount. I have never cooked with it though. I've never heard anything negative about it. It's much healthier than Splenda and all other sugar substitutes.

Aubrie, The 19th is very close to Christmas. It's going to be very difficult to hide it especially with your mother, what if you're still feeling a little pain - and you'll be on liquids too. I'm sorry but moms know it when there's something wrong or something you're not telling with daughters. I think it's best you tell your mom when you get there, say you decided to do it and you're fine, it's done, maybe you can explain to her how it works to help you so you can live a healthy and longer life. Good luck.

That's a tough one Mandy. This is what I'd do. I would still go and just say you've had a queezy stomach all day and afraid to eat - don't want to get sick. Drink a lot of water at the table, bring with you 2 protein drinks and have them right before dinner to fill up. Good luck!

rrod, I don't find anything wrong with the word diet. it means: a regulated course of eating and drinking, especially for medical reason and nutrition. ...and that's what we're all embarking here. diet is just a general term used. Yes you're right it is also a way of life, but the word is not a bad word. I don't have a problem with it. I'm just wondering...what brought this on?

Bob, I was wondering if you are getting any exercise in. I am walking now (just started 4 days ago) at 6:30 in the morning and it gives me more energy during the day and I'm in less pain - my nutritionist said I have to exercise now, I guess it helps with the surgery recoop? I'm asking because you're loosing a lot of weight and I wondered in exercise is helping you lose faster. Have a nice day.

Yes I'll stay positive. Yesterday I had a tough day with food all day. I've got to get DH's food locked up - he loves cookies etc and does not have a food or weight problem - it makes it hard. I'm going out today to buy a large wooden locked box for his goodies and bread! It's been on my mind to do it for a while now, today's the day.

Yes doing your way I'm pretty sure you will lose the weight you need to lose, just don't anything else.

Eveda, I know exactly what you are saying about rude people, that's why I'm not telling anyone, the only ones that know are my husband and my closest girlfriend, and that's all (and I have friends and family that I'm close with too). I chose this because I don't want to hear everyone's opinions and comments, isn't it ironic how they all have opinions and are experts when it it's all about you? This is a very personal decision we have made and we need to have supportive people around us, that's why this group is the best! We're all in this together. Sometimes I think negatively self-centered opinionate people are just so miserable with themselves - you know "misery loves company". hehe!

Bob, It is great to hear you talk so positively being at your #8 day of your pre-op liquid diet and you are feeling good and have a handle on it. It really helps me to hear it can be done without feeling deprived, that our body gets used to it, and it gets easier. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine it, but hearing a positive statement like yours really makes it easier to start it. I know I need to stay in a positive frame of mind. I think also our body goes through the cleansing stage on the liquid diet (at the beginning that's the most painful - withdrawals) and then once the flour and sugar products are eliminated out of our system, we don't crave it anymore and it makes it easier going forward. I can't wait to get to that stage. Thank you for sharing with all of us and stay in touch, I would like to hear how you're feeling better and better as you get closer to your date. Have a super day!

Cherlita, you're doing great - I wish you the best of luck with your surgery. It's quite a challenge having to completely change our eating "habits" but it's good for us to do it gradually, a little at a time, so it becomes doable without stressing over it. I'm like you. I can't do anything cold turkey. This is a lifetime change we're making and I know with me it's going to take some time to get it right, but we will all be successful. I think this is a lifesaving group, together we help each other out. What else can we ask for? You have a great day.

I'm really glad to hear you had a nice day yesterday...and you actually forgot for a while you were just banded, what a good sign! It's good to hear how everyone does going to back to work, since we are mostly all working women! I hope you have a nice day today also. Take care. Stevie