nfl1

Oh, I'm glad I asked - I wondered how riding in the car would be, and didn't think I'd stay tight all day - I'll plan to bring things for my SO to eat too so she doesn't get finicky like my band There are only a few times in the 2 weeks that we'll be stationary for 2-4 days, so I guess I will hope to lose weight too! (As long as I get my liquid, I've asked my folks to arrange for a COLD spell for our arrival ). We do plan a quick stop in Savannah - to get lunch and a trolley tour, but it looks really great. Might have to stay longer next time. This time we're doing the Skyline Drive in VA on the way down, so it'll take a day on its own.

Has anyone made a long vacation trip post-band? My partner and I leave next Tuesday, and plan to drive 6-7 hours a day, and stop to do some vacationing along the way, but wonder what you recommend we keep in the cooler? I am planning on some Water, crystal light, deli meat, cheese, Protein drinks, nuts, and low-fat may, low cal bread. What helped make your trip easier to stay on track? We don't plan major eating out, except Breakfast at noon (eggs+)...I'm too tight usually earlier than that.

Thanks so much-great ideas! Eating was difficult? You mean you had trouble with eating on the road/while driving? or because there were temptations and ate more than just an appetizer or what might be eaten if at home? Any favorite stops on your NY-FL trip that we should check out?

I got 2.5 ccs first fill, 1cc 2nd fill, .5 for the 3rd and 4th, .4 for the 5th...and definitely feel the restriction. I didn't have any problems with adjusting each time, and with the liquid for 24 hours and mushy the 2nd day have also pb'd only once (that was due to the citrical big honking pill, so I am back on the viactiv chew instead).

Sometimes the fill and restriction can kick in as late as the 2nd week...did you do liquids for 24 hours and mushy for a day after a fill? That's what my doc requires, so if you are irritated by the fill, it can settle before you eat solids again.

You can make some veggie soup and either blend then strain or just strain the broth. You can find some great soup recipes that are easy to make, with flavors such as cumin, coriander, or other thai or indian flavors which helped bring me through. My favorites are Groundnut soup (Moosewood cookbook) and Mulligitawny.

I did the same as bam bam, whatever I made for the family I blended for me, adding either chicken stock or beef stock to soften it up. I'd made a list of everything from tv that was driving me crazy during the 4 week liquid diet (2 weeks pre, 2 weeks post op), and made sure to blend it during the 2 week mushies. My favorites were home made chili w/turkey dog (darn Bush Baked Beans commercials), thai beef massaman with rice (it always comes with lots of sauce), and roasted chicken thighs and some mashed sweet potato on the side. Good luck - and have fun, be creative with the mushy stage!

I second the Flintstones Complete chewables...1 a day, + Viactiv chews (for the calcium) 2-3/day according to my nutritionist. I don't always take 2-3 sometimes 1-2. I was banded Jan 20, hit pound #40 recently!

Several folks in my support group had to do this before being approved, and most had difficulty. I had to do supervised diet with my PC doctor, but without a specific % goal. A few folks in my group finally did the 2 week liquid (pre-op) diet that my surgeon requires, and through that they were able to reach the insurance co. goal. It's basically no meat, no fruit, no carbs, all liquid (3-4 protein shakes a day) plus salads and non-starchy veggies but no dressing, and soups with non-starchy veggies only.

I didn't know how GOOD it would feel to be able to put the BIG weight down one level on the old fashioned scale in our gym... no longer on the 250...now on the 200!! I'd been flirting with it for about 1.5 months, and finally today it tipped!

I know for me it's more scared that something that felt so small before still won't fit, and don't want to be disappointed. That happened with the jeans that are now falling off - I didn't try them for awhile because I never thought they'd fit, and in April, I finally tried (didn't have any other jeans and needed some for vacation) and I was astonished when they fit perfectly! So, I'm not sure why I'm so scared to try again with the 26s.

That's what felt so weird, Sil, I can still wear my 28 pants with the elastic waist and they feel comfy, but my 28 jeans are falling down...haven't had the nerve to try the 26 ones yet, but will tonight (scared I'll be stuck without any to wear).

That is very cool - I never knew!

So I'm gaining that much muscle? Wouldn't it take up the same amount of room too? or maybe it's in different spots than the fat?

my favorite was the blended beef masaman and white rice from the local Thai restaurant - tender beef with LOTS of sauce!

I also work out (well swimming) 3 days a week, about 45 min. laps plus 45 min of aqua therapy. My weight loss definitely has slowed, but I was surprised Sunday that my pants were almost falling down...so I guess the inches are changing even if the # on the scale doesn't. I coach softball, so I will add 2 more days of "something" though I wouldn't call it exercise since I won't be running around, more standing/walking, though I figure it's something. I agree that 5 days feels like a lot. Maybe adding parking further away (I started that in February) from work so the return to the car is longer? That added 10 min to my daily walk.

I usually keep deli turkey slices here at work in the fridge to help me with my mid morning and afternoon pangs.

I have protein bars at my desk, so I don't feel guilty for an afternoon snack (and the chocolate chip granola ones feel like candy), but for me its...EATING IN THE CAR! Cheese-its (they seem to be popular to all in this thread) or those Ritz toasted crackers like sour cream/onion or cheddar...and sitting at my computer at home...the m&m jar is next to it...so I try hard to just have 2-3, but sometimes it's 2-3 handfulls... meals I'm ok with, and do a protein drink in the afternoon.

I have a 14 cc band and am at 4.5cc and finally feel a little bit of restriction. Before I could eat anything and more than I thought I should be able to...I'll wait another month or so before going back, but am happy to finally feel tight in the AM and not loosen until mid-afternoon. So breakfast is usually soft (scrambled egg or protein drink).

I love this show too, and am inspired rather than depressed - if we got to see all the former contestants I agree that we have the tool to succeed without (like Cathy said) trading one addiction for another! I want balance, and so far my band helps give me balance.

I don't have a scale at home because I'd be tempted to make it more about the "numbers" than how I feel...so I weigh myself MWF when I go to the pool for my laps and aqua therapy exercises. The only problem I've found is that the pool scale is different from my doc, so monthly I feel like I've gained because his scale registers about 5 lbs different from any other I try

I'm in Central NY not too far from the PA line. My doc takes 4-6 mo. to get us through the process, and I'm so glad he did - so I had time to really wrap my brain around the change. One of the folks in our support group had a doc 10 years ago that did a visit, and surgery the week following, without a lot of follow-up. Definitely do all your homework so you know what to expect, and the nutritional path to follow for the best results.

My doc and NUT had 2 weeks of liquids pre and post op, and post-op I was full after 3 oz of creamed soups through the whole first week, and could not have handled mushies until the end of week 2 though started on week 3. I didn't have any throwing up or trouble, but did only liquids then stuck with mushies a little longer than the 2 weeks (so week 4 post op). Docs differ, though I was not eager to push the envelope and wanted to err on the side of caution! I've had 4 fills and now have a little restriction, but even with a fill it won't be immediate, or if you feel it right away it may not last - my doc also has us do liquids the full 24-36 hrs after a fill...

I'm with you! But some of my "spots" are different...my lower ab and stomach area is not keeping up with the bust, hip, thigh, wrist, calf and neck loss!

I just got another fill yesterday, and told my doc the same thing - he sees progress with my weight, but asked me what I did when i was hungry at night...told me I should go to bed earlier or try to distract myself by getting on the treadmill or taking a walk (I live in a rural area, it's really dark at night and no sidewalks). I didn't really like that, but thankfully this fill so far (1 day only) feels more restrictive and I pray that it holds!