sisterfunkhaus

Great motivation!!! Congrats on your successes. Thanks for the inspiration

I have a few ideas: Hummus. You can buy it pre-made in various flavor. I buy from the cold case at whole foods. It's full of Protein. You can make your own as well- Hummus- 2 cloves garlic—roughly chopped ¼ cup lemon juice ¼ cup Water 14 oz (400g) canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans)—rinsed and drained ½ cup tahini 1 teaspoon sea salt How about a crustless, light cheesecake "pudding" 1/2 c. splenda 8 oz. light or fat free cream cheese-softened 8 oz. Cool Whip Light 1 tsp. vanilla Whip all ingrdients together with hand mixer until creamy. Put into pie plate or casserole dish until set. How about a creamy black bean soup? 2 cans black Beans 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 2 cups chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 heaping teaspoon chili powder 1 heaping teaspoon cumin 1/2 cup cream Tabasco and red pepper, to taste Chopped green onions (optional) Sour Cream Heat olive oil in heavy saucepan and saute onions, celery, and garlic, stirring occasionally until tender, around 3-5 minutes. Stir in beans, chicken broth, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce h eat, and simmer, partially covered, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly and puree the soup in small batches in a blender. Return to pot and blend in cream. Season with hot sauce and red pepper to taste. Strain through sieve to remove skins and lumps. Heat gently and serve in deep bowls sprinkled with onions and sour cream.

My doc allows the Cambells Select Soups and Soup at hands for the liquid portions. He says to chew apecks well and strain it if pieces are too big. I'm sure it's fine for mushies.

Okay, so I'm at least on track for the average. I'm working SO hard at this. I haven't been cheating and my stomach won't quit growling. I can't beleive I've stuck to it this long!!! I feel like I'm in the home stretch. I just don't want to show up and have my doc say I should've lost 20 lbs by now and he can't do the surgery. Of course I'm fearing that they will cut me open and not put a band in. As long as I know I'm in line with what's to be expected, I'm good. I don't care about WL at this point for WL sake. I just want to make sure I'm on track and shrinking my liver.

OMG!!! You look like a hot mama. I hope I look as good 10 months after my surgery. You've done GREAT. You look amazing!!! What a great testament to the band you are.

Good luck tomorrow Jille!! This is all so exciting to see everyone getting banded and hearing about it !!! I am SO excited. I'm not nervous at all. I can't wait to be banded!!!! Friday banding, here I come!!!!

Yum-o. I can't wait for my post op diet. I've been doing low fat, low cal liquids for 5 days now and am ready to move on. My doc allows full liquids immediately. I'll probably stay clear for a couple of days then move to full.

I just keep chanting Bananna Republic, Bananna Republic... My dream has been to be able to wear clothes from there. I got fat right before they opened stores here. I know it's sad, but think of all of the cute new stuff you can get

I'm glad I found this. I'm on lowfat low cal liquids this week before I get the band and am now having the runs 5 days in (I;ve had them for a few days actually.) I was wondering if it was normal.

I'm having lap band as well. I am self-pay. My insurance doesn't pay for ANYTHING so I'm all on my own.

Good luck to all those who are getting bands this week!! I'm doing pretty well on my liquids. I had 1/2 a pickle, that's been my cheat. I'm a little hungry, but I know it's for a good cause.

Congrats!!!!

What about hummus for the mushies stage? You can buy it in different flavors already made. It is high protien and low in fat. It tastes good too. I don't know if Quinoa would work as a mushy. It's a bit like couscous, cept it has TONS of protein in it. You could probably add liquid broth and spices and make it soupy or into an oatmeal texture. Mashed avacados would be nice as well.

Thanks for the list MVPO!!! Great work Glad to hear that all of our already banded are making it through. Arvel- I hope I'm in your position two hours post op I went today for pre-op and start liquids tomorrow. I'm all set up with almost no food in the house. I have the approved liquids. I think I'll be fine. I'm kind of excited b/c it gives me a goal to work towards--there is a light at the end Best wishes to : May 18th marz88 jboy medussa ARVEL May 19th Mvpo8961 I hope all goes perfectly for you. Check back in. I'll be thinking of all of you!!!

Mine is $16,000 with Dr. Jayaseelan in Dallas. It includes everything plus two fills in the first year.

I'm getting banded on the 26th. I go for my pre-op today. My liquids start tomorrow. I'll be off Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. If I need, I'll take off Tuesday too. I keep a couple of kids at my house, along with my own daughter. My husband is going to be home ALL week to do my job for me with my supervision. He's a teacher so he's off anyway. I think he'd rather do that than have us lose the $$$ from me taking off. I think it will work out. He's pretty responsible.

Good luck catchup!!! Looks like we'll be recovering together :second:

I was up and about like nobodies business two days after having a c-section and within a day or two of gallbladder surgery. I'm hoping recovery won't be any worse than those. I think I'm most nervious about the pain and squeezing in the stomach when I drink--and the gas. The gas was a nightmare post-csection. I had none post-gallbladder removal. Can they remove the gas from the abdominal cavity so there isn't so much pain???

What about Weight Watchers Online? I joined and am now am intermittentantly recording points to see where I fall and need to improve. When I get my surgery, I WILL stick to my daily points values so i can lose the weight. Maybe something more structured would help you? With WW, nothing is off limits.

I went for my appointment. I really felt good about the staff. Dr. Cha is a hoot. She is a seriously good Internist. She is a natural teacher. If she ever goes back into family practice, I would so go to her. She has the BEST bedside manner. His PA Lauren was great too. They have a positive bunch in there I am SO thrilled I changed my mind and went to him. I've had all of my tests for the insurance. But, with BCBS-TRS you have to have 1 year of seriously documented Dr. approved diet. My own doctor said that he will do what he can. He really is behind me getting the surgery, so we will see. If not, I'm having it anyway--by the end of May.

Dr. Jay in Dallas charges $15,000

I have TRS Active Care and am going to Dr. Jay. They BCBS) have TOUGH diet criteria, so be prepared.

Dr. Jay has many raves from his LB patients. He was named in D magazines top docs, and has been a thriving suregeon in Dallas for about 10 years. I don't know about Dr. Smith. It sounds like people here have had good experiences with him. I honestly would go with proximity since they both seem to have good reps.

Dr. Jayaseelan is who I would recommend after researching. He was named in D Magazines top docs in Dallas. He has had a very successful general surgery practice at Medical City in Dallas for years.

Skye-I agree. I am SO willing to take that risk.