WannaDance

Hooray for everyone! We are doing well! I was banded on June 12 and stuck with the 2 week pre-liquid diet like hot glue. (Well, I was going to cheat on the last day with a tiny slice of pizza, but there was divine intervention since my DH decidedly to accompany me to my appointment. Drat!) This past week after surgery, I haven't felt like eating until about Wednesday. MUSHIES on Thursday have saved me since I was soooo very tired of the liquid options. I had completely exhusted my tolerance for them. I am in MUSHIE HEAVEN with the choices available now. And, so far, including pre-surgery liquid diet, I have lost 30 pounds! I feel really good about what has left but I can tell, now, it's time to exercise to help more of this weight leave me. I am heading to the "Y" today to do some extra walking while DH works out. Good luck to everyone as we continue this journey. :smile: I know this summer is bringing lots of changes to my life. I want to explore and get to know this whole thing called "eating with a lapband" to find out what works best for me, so that by the fall, I can concentrate a little less on this and a little more on other things in my life. I will always, always, enjoy food! I am a foodie who enjoys cooking and eating, but hopefully, I can find a healthier relationship with it.

I, too, am a foodie! I get a number of magazines AND watch so many cooking shows, it's just crazy!!! My husband and I have always checked out new restaurants in town and love to try new dishes. My plans are to eat sensibly when we go out, either share a plate and/or ask for a box at the beginning. I also love to cook, so I am planning loads of dishes to try as soon as I am able to eat again, BUT I am limiting how much I am cooking (cutting down recipes or freezing extra servings) and making them low fat and sugar free as much as possible. I have already begun to work on recipes to make them band friendly. Luckily, I feed my in-laws a couple of times a week so most anything I make can go on to them. They have been hungry these past few weeks!!! Good luck to all of us Foodies!! It wont be easy. Post anything that is good in the recipe section for the rest of us.

Have to love the "Vitamin poop" because that pretty well sums it up! I can't get them down. Also, Jules, you are a wonder, and I agree, so far the losing is winning over eating. I have 2 grown daughters living with me and my husband. I gathered them all together and said, "You are on your own for the month of June and -- maybe -- July, too." I have bought lunch meats and other things, but mostly they wanted frozen individual dinners, like Smart Ones, because they are all trying to lose weight this summer too. None of them really have much to lose, but DH could drop 10-15 pounds and look really good. Good luck!

OK, I can see why some are saying "go ahead" without DH's support, but I also understand completely the indecisiveness this brings to you. I don't know if I could do it without my DH's approval since I greatly value his opinion. I know he wouldn't say "don't do it" just ot be mean. Also, it just wouldn't seem right to do this to "us" without his support. This weight(loss) effects you the most, but, because you will be changed from it, it will also change your marriage and, therefore, him, too. I think Lunabeane had a good idea. Talk with your DH and remind him of all the reasons you want this. I am sure you want it to improve yourself, but anything that "improves" you, can also improve your marriage, too. I know my DH (been married 32 years come September) would think long and hard about his own reservations if I really wanted something and expressed that to him. I'll be praying for both of you to be able to talk this out --and for you to win him over!!!:biggrin2:

Hang in there, jkpenney! I haven't started my pre-op diet, but I know it's going to be tough. I also know that when you slide, you just have to get back on the straight and narrow path. Don't beat yourself up -- if it was easy we wouldn't be getting the band. Good luck to you for the next few days. I hope you do better tomorrow.

I work at an intermediate school (grades 3-5) in a small town in southwest Ohio. I do the state reporting and enrollment among other things. I have been married to a great guy for 32 years, and we have 2 daughters, 26 & 24. No grandchildren yet, but I am not ready to be a grandma until my girls are ready to be moms. I have battled my weight all my life. I always said when it keeps me from doing what I want to do, I will do something about it. For the last 5 years or so, it has made me change how I am living. I am ready to make the changes necessary to live life on my own terms again. Good luck to all of you June bandsters. My surgery is on June 12 at 7:30 a.m. Can't wait to get that behind me -- along with about 100 lbs!!!!!!!

I am trying to find something like you, CathyChatts, something that makes more of a fruity smoothy rather than a milky shake. So far, nothing has caught me. If I find one, I'll share. I am laughing about the multiplying "last suppers" -- I just told my husband last night the two places we are going before my pre-opt liquid diet begins on May 30. One is a family favorite for margaritas and tex mex food and the other is brunch buffet. (I have to admit, I AM mighty happy to think that after May 30, I will never get my money's worth from a buffet again!) Good luck to everyone!

Like you, Cadets71, I have been worrying about the protein shakes. I do not like milk or milky-tasting shakes. SlimFast used to have an orange-pineapple drink that was ok, but I haven't seen it for years. I got a sample of unflavored Unjury from the nutritionist who said to put it in anything I drink. I tried it in my iced tea (the drink of choice at my house) and it left a nasty aftertaste in my mouth. Sort of garlicky-Yuk! I have purchased samples from Vitalady to try without much success at finding something I like. I am able to drink SlimFast cappuccino, but imagine that is going to get old. I continue to look for something else. Surgery is on June 12 so I need to find something quick. Good luck!

:thumbup: 2 Deb, Realme :biggrin: 3 Huggie Bear :biggrin: 4 Sellie :biggrin: 5 JoannaG, Irish Ladybug, Cadets 71, LMarie_MD2b :biggrin: 6 Kristybandy, cathychatts, eagerbandim ,mamamarie, hopefulmom25 :eek: 10 Jules, Shaxmom, rearea1222, To Be Free :mad: 12 cris3, Angelyco, WannaDance :thumbup: 13 BATassbandita :thumbup: 17 TX diva, :thumbup: 23 Little Debbie, Mariamomof2 :thumbup: 24 Snuffy65 :thumbup: 25 Tennessee Mom, dj bryan :thumbup: 30 maguirre67 Just wanted to add my name since I got my surgery date on Thursday. I am June 12. Can't wait to see how everyone does.

I am also joining the June Bandsters. My surgery is the same as yours, Susanm, June 12, in Cincinnati. I mirror everyone's sentiments; I am scared, nervous, EXCITED! While I know my focus should be on preparing for this huge change and becoming healthier, I am still wondering "how much and how fast?" I have seen some people lose tremendous amounts of weight in the first few months and others toil on for longer. I am afraid of failing as I have in the past with other diets and am trying to gear for a steady, but slow, weight loss to keep from being discouraged if I am one of those whose weight sticks with me. When I am thinking with my brain, I know there are so many variables that determine the amount and quickness. Either way, I am in this for the lifetime. I want to spend the rest of my life enjoying good health and looking better in pictures than I ever have.

I just posted for the first time today too. My surgery is set for June 12 so I guess we will be starting this journey at nearly the same time. I am a 51 year old mother with both daughters back at home. I know all about hanging on with a sense of humor. Though I am not from the west, my home state begins with an "O" -- Ohio. I think we may have much in common. I've read a couple of posts here about going to Mexico. I am able to have my surgery close to home and feel very lucky to have insurance pay for it. Keep me posted on your way.

Your success has helped me to write my first post here. I have read so many of your posts because you have inspired me. We are close in age and I weigh right now within 10 pounds of where you began. I am thrilled for you! --and hope to mirror your success. I got my approval this week and surgery is set for June 12. It seems a lifetime away and yet I know it will be here soon. I am preparing by "test-driving" shakes and plotting my exercise. I know it will be a long summer --a very different summer without the usual warm weather party foods, but I am so ready to do it. It will be a time to find what works best for me as a banded woman --and to enjoy being lighter. Thanks for your encouragement. You look wonderful in your pictures, but probably more important, you write as if you are very happy with yourself and your life.