Boo

I've read about the Super Blender. Today I started Protein shakes, pulled out my blender to find it broken!? Of all the times to break! HELP! :help: :help: :help: :help:

Who sells the Magic Bullet? Thank you!!

I was just banded. I woke up and laughed and thanked everyone. Then I felt like I had been punched in the stomach really hard. Ice chips went down fine.

A few months ago I saw an old friend who lost 100 pounds. I was thrilled to see her looking younger, healthier, happier. I really wanted to know her secret so I could get help. When I asked her what she did, she flippantly responded, "You don't want to know. I've been through a lot." I was a little hurt that she found my inquiry offensive. I had assumed she had followed a diet, and it didn't even occur to me that she had WLS...hadn't even heard of the band at that time. I think we have to be careful, like you said, to make sure we show appreciation for the compliments, praise, and attention. We also need to be sensitive to those seeking answers for themselves. After losing the weight, do some bandsters become snobs?

Thank you, Elisabeth. I hope so! My doctor advises a clear liquid diet for the first week. So you think it is a diet issue?

Does the laughing hurt or help??? Girl, you made me laugh today!

Wow! The next photos will be in a thong!

I will be in the full liquid phase on Easter. Although I will be cooking the traditional Easter dinner for my family, does anyone have any ideas of what I could make for myself? Is there a way to modify any foods into liquid and still taste like a holiday? Thanks!

Easter Egg Drop Soup!!! Perfect! And a chocolate bunny milkshake?? That is excellent. Can mashed potatoes be eaten if they are runny enough? I'll be cooking the traditional ham and scalloped potatoes for my family. Thanks!

I agree with PAM! I don't want to compromise and risk the band by moving off clear or full liquids too early. I'm on day 5 of clear liquids. I can't say I'm lovin' it, but I am figuring out how to enjoy other things, like taking a bath, giving myself a facial and manicure, talking to my husband, cooking for my family solely for their enjoyment, walking around the block, listening to music, etc. This is something I need to learn to do, find another form of entertainment that doesn't involve food. I also, am appreciating really being hungry (and I still have a couple more weeks to go!) Lisa

Just came back from Mexico yesterday. They ONLY checked driver's license and ASKED if I was a citizen. I did have a certified birth certificate on me, but they didn't want to see it.

Thanks!!! My diet is clear liquids for one week, then liquids for weeks 2-3 (including yogurt). After week three, can resume regular diet and exercise. But must be careful that food is very well chewed and not too sticky. Of course I am paraphrasing what the doctor told me. This is what Inamed advises, supposedly. It is probably conservative. I was told if I must have yogurt on day 7, that it would not be a catastrophe. Any other ideas???

Hey, I'm leaving tomorrow morning for my surgery on Wednesday. :whoo: Thank you everyone for all of the information, ideas, suggestions, experiences, and insight. I've read many of your posts, and am extremely grateful to all of you for being so honest and supportive. Although we are strangers, we seem to have a common understanding. I'm a bit nervous and question my choice, but because of what I have read here, I feel I have the courage to do this. Thank you all! Lisa p.s. Goodbye, Diet Coke! :cry :violin:

Thank you SOOO much for the encouragement! I am doing great! Dr. Ortiz' new surgical center is beautiful. And the care I received was very thorough. I am not really having that much pain. Don't even need any pain medicine. I'm just tired. Yesterday, my husband and I walked all around the Costco in TJ. That was fun. And today we drove home, rented DVD's and am enjoying popsicles, chicken broth, and warm cider. Good luck everybody! I met so many women coming in for fills that were banded a year ago. They seemed so happy. Each of them said it was the best thing they had ever done for themselves. (Other than marry, etc.) Please don't be scared! It really is not so bad! We are being courageous to make a better, healthier life for ourselves! Lisa

Hey Everybody! Just got home and everything is going well. I was a bit dizzy and nauseated after surgery, but that was the worst of it. The care I received was wonderful. Don't be afraid. Trust that you have done your research and that your desire to be banded is to help yourself become healthier. And don't worry about being hungry, either. Yeah, a clear liquid diet is not so exciting, but you really aren't that hungry. I mixed hot water with apple juice to make a warm diluted cider. It is yummy and filling! And in only four days I can add yogurt! Good luck to all the April Band(si)sters! Lisa

Lynn, It was great to meet you. You are beautiful!! And I'm glad you made it through okay! I was dizzy and nauseated, too. You will feel better tomorrow. My DH and I walked around Costco yesterday. You can take a cab there. Anyway, that is why I left you such a huge bottle of apple juice...it's from Costco. Hey girl, we did it!! Lisa

Good luck, Audra!! I have surgery Wednesday and am feeling a bit nervous, also. I wish you the best!! Lisa

You forgot me! My date is April 5th!!! 9 days!!!

Hey, I have to tell you that I was at a basketball game and Heidi Klum was sitting near us. I watched her down a huge bag of carmel corn. Even supermodels have to fight the urges. You have lost soooo much weight. No one else did it; you did it. You just aren't used to being without the band. Start again tomorrow. Just a little success breeds more success. Thanks for the good word on Ortiz. Of course I'm nervous, but he has many happy patients. When you figure out the answer, please share it!!! We all need to know how to "fly solo" if necessary.

Dear Diane, I'm not banded for another ten days, but I can really share in your worry. I am looking for help from the band in changing my behavior, my outlook on food portions, and my attitude towards my body. Your experience just reinforces how difficult it is to keep weight off after losing. Our bodies just SCREAM to gain it back! Someday there will be a true cure!

I like to steam zucchini, then put it in the blender or food processor with some chicken stock (broth). Add a little salt/pepper and you have a thick soup. If you like creamy soup, add some milk into the mix, also. This is fantastic with fresh green beans!! Just don't add milk. The trick is to puree it. mmmmm!!!

Where did she get her data? It doesn't sound accurate or scientific, based on her experience. And the chipped teeth can come from too much vomitting. The acid destroys the enamel. You wouldn't think you would have to defend yourself at a WLS "support" group, would you??

It sounds like he is having serious struggles of his own. Maybe you both need some support right now!

I really feel for what you are going through. Often, the same issues resurface in our marriages at times of change and stress. Our greatest pain and greatest joy can come from our own spouses. My husband has never been one to compliment me, even when I was thin. So I have just learned to announce to him any successes that I have had. I never ask him how I look. He is uncomfortable for some reason, unless I flirt with him, or compliment him. Also, I find it interesting that some husbands, and friends for that matter, are more "fair-weather friends" and some are more "foul-weather friends." Has your husband been there for you through any really hard times, illnesses, tragedies? Is your husband more comfortable living with an unhappy person, struggling with self-doubt due to obesity? He might like the role of being the strong hero that you can lean on? My husband seems to be more tuned into me when I am grieving, unhappy, or struggling with a problem. But I'm not sure what will happen when I start to see success with weight-loss (banded in 2 1/2 weeks). We have to find a way to take them along on our journey. There is too great of an investment to toy with the idea of discarding a husband. Maybe he needs some compliments. Maybe confiding in other men, unless they are family is not the best place to find the support and answers you need. Do you have a church support? I am NO marriage counselor, but I do "feel your pain."

See, I thought about the balloon, too, but that is precisely my problem. I will lose 25 pounds in 6 months and then it just packs right back on as soon as I am off the protein diet. I need help, that is why I want to risk getting a band.