TiffanyP

Yep!!! It is very fun. My hubby and I have always had a good time, but being -57 pounds has definitely added something new. My hubby has also been losing some weight and so between the 2 of us we are about 85 pounds lighter and it is like we are discovering each other all over. I am looking forward to losing the rest of my weight, just for this reason only.:thumbup:

Ditto - I have a hard time with canned tuna and canned chicken - even when I add tons of relish, mayo, etc. to "wet" it. I do fine with regular chicken and fish. You might be the same way. I had surgery on Aug 10 and I have yet to get a fill, I have very few issues, even having no restriction, but I still have a bit of drama with the canned meats. Which stinks, because of the convenience. Oh well - there are lots of other options. Good Luck,

I had 6. 5 small, laproscopic type holes and 1 larger one - about 4 inches. My doctor said that I had some "tough" tissue to deal with when he fixed my hernia and so he needed an extra tool and he had to open up one incision a bit more so he could get at things better.

My husband definitely likes a big girl. I don't think he has ever dated or married anyone under about 250. We have been together for 5 years and this has been a major emotional concern for me. My logical brain tells me it is stupid and that he loves me for me and not my body type. But. . .Then the emotional, irrational, self conscious side takes over and tells me all the reasons why he won't love me, want me, etc. anymore. My husband has never said one word to me about being too heavy, or not heavy enough, all of it is in my head - I know this, but it doesn't make it any less of a real problem we have to deal with. He tells me he wants me healthy and happy - He doesn't want to lose his wife. As I lose my weight, I am sure I will mellow out and all will be fine (as it will be for you). I am kinda glad that I am not the only one dealing with these emotions. I have wanted to bring up this subject, but I am a chicken and I lurk a lot more than I share. I am trying to be better about that. Good Luck and know that your partner loves the old you and will love the new you, there will be adjustments along the journey, but grow together and all will be fine.

One a Day Gummies - which you actually take 2, so they lie.:thumbdown: Yummy Viactiv - chocolate or Carmel, I have both, 2 a day. Yummy! These actually curb my "candy cravings" when I get them. Which is very rare anymore Fiber Choice Chewable Fiber tabs - 2 a day When I have restriction I crush my remaining pills - they are getting less and less all the time. But, right now, I have NO restriction, so I can swallow them without an issue. (Diabetic meds and Antidepressant - follow dr. carefully if you have to crush an antidepressant, it is bad for some and okay with others.)

I would love to swim. I miss swimming, so much sometimes. But, I am a long haul truck driver and it isn't an option for me, at least until I am not driving anymore. You will get great results without the stress on your joints. Water Aerobics, Laps, anything that keeps you moving is good. I walk, most of the time. I try to park in places that I feel safe in walking around, so that I can get some exercise in. But, I also have had 2 knee surgeries - very messy and I don't have full function in my right leg, so I am limited in how far and fast I can go. Swimming will be my ultimate exercise when I can do it. I plan on being a truck driver a couple more years at the most and then getting a stay at home job. I hope I will have lost my weight by then and my swimming will be for maintenance and strength. Have fun!:tongue2:

pineapple is very fiberous. I have issues with "fibery" things - is that even a word? Watermelon, asparagus, beef, etc. You might be fine, I would just be very careful. I am learning what is great one day isn't so hot another day. The key to trying anything is very small bites, chew until you think your jaw is going to fall off and then chew it 5 more times.:tongue2: I have been known to spit something out if I can't get the texture to something that I feel will go down well. It is better than it coming back up later or being in pain. Right now, I am feeling basically Band-Free, (and I hate it)I need a fill something awful and I am having a hard time abiding the rules, because the Band isn't forcing me to do it. I have gone back to almost completely liquid some days, to stay in control, until I get my fill. I am a truck driver and hopefully I can get to my Dr. in the next week or so and get taken care of. I love my band, I will love it more when I have it's "help" again.

Hi All, I am only 6 weeks out and so I haven't tried a ton of things yet, but here is my list so far. Bananas Watermelon Bread Lettuce Potatoes Dry Rice - Risotto / Wet Spanish type rice ok. Fruit Skin - specifically pears, so bad. cheese Thick oatmeal / Grits White chicken - Dark meat is fine, I struggle with white meat. Too dry I think. I have only PBed once and I think it cured me. Everything I have listed I have eaten slow and steady and it just didn't go down well or did get stuck a bit, and I haven't been brave enough to try again. Currently waiting to get my first fill and I am dying for it. I want to feel like I did after surgery. I am fighting the Head Hunger and the Stomach Hunger and it sucks. Good Luck Ya'll

My first goal is -50 pounds. I haven't decided on a reward as of yet. I am half way there, so I better be deciding. I then have -25 increment goals after that, and no specific rewards there either until I am at goal and maintaining. Those are when I have specific rewards for myself. Good Luck All!!!

I haven't been able feel it. Maybe when I lose a few more pounds I will be able to. I would think being able to feel it would be good when you get a fill, less hunt and peck to try and find it.

Split Pea is a Fav - but not for most people. Progresso Tomato Basil is very good. Old fashioned Campbell's Tomato is a standard. Gazpacho - I make a very chunky version, but blended it for a better tasting and thicker V-8 type deal. Cold Cucumber - Yummy. Made the old Cabbage soup - blended - looks gross but tastes good. Lentil is very good. Sweet potato - It was good - the whole 3 spoonfuls i got before it was consumed by others. Butternut Squash w a swirl of greek yogurt. I am going to make taco soup - blended - can't imagine that it is going to look pretty, but flavor wise I think it will rock. Italian tortellini - it is basically an Italian Minestrone with tortellini in it, that should be good too. I love to cook, and I have been cooking since day 3 and the only thing I have made for the family that I have even wanted to have is a slice of cucumber and onion that I pickled in vinegar/sugar. I am handling all the food prep and eating with other much better than I had expected to. Good Luck!

Breathe 2..3...4...Breathe..2..3...4... I was banded 8/10 and how much time I have to take off is still up in the air - but I have a different job situation than most. I am a long haul truck driver, so I have to wait until I can have a clean drug test and "official" doctor release for my safety department in order to start driving again. Also, I have to be able to climb in and out of my truck, strap cargo, and handle the rougher ride of a semi truck 11 hours a day, plus sleeping in a moving truck with my hubby drives. We are thinking 3 weeks, but today I am feeling 2 is going to be plenty. My hubby went back to work Friday and he will stay out on the road until I am ready get back on the truck, so it is flexible. I think by 3 weeks I will be going stir crazy. If I had a desk job, I would be back at work, so if that is your job, hopefully a week off will be good. Good Luck!

I feel very vain writing this down, but I guess it is time I want to do something for me and have a bit of vanity. Alot of us have similar wish lists, it makes me think I am not alone. Enjoy! 1. Tattoo 2. Boobies/Tummy Tuck 3. Swim again - I miss swimming. 4. Alaskan Cruise on my 40th Birthday - specifically looking forward to formal night and being able wear a sexy fancy dress that shows off #2. 5. Pictures for Hubby 6. Have a lap for my hubby to lay his head in, to hold my nieces/nephews. 7. Not have to worry about the strength of the chair before sitting down and weather I will be stuck if I do sit down.:sad: 8. Learn to Kayak 9. Get a couple new piercings 10. Move like a person instead of an elephant.

Hi All, I just need to share how much I love my family. I am being banded Aug 10 in Bakersfield, Ca. Sooo Excited. I have been working on better habits and such for the past 5 weeks or so and have lost 15 pounds of the 20 I needed to lose before having surgery. I start my liquid pre-op diet tomorrow. And, because my family rocks I am not doing it alone. My sweet hubby, one of my fab sisters and my darling grandma (who is 80) are all doing it with me. My sister and Grandma are doing liquids all day and then dinner. My hubby is going to try and go the whole way with me, we even cleaned all the food out of our semi truck today. They are all so sweet, trying to give me moral support and make sure I am not feeling all alone in this adventure. As I am writing this I am sitting Dalton, Georgia eating Mongolian Beef and Steamed Vegy's w/ Brown rice for my final hurrah. I will be driving all day tomorrow (I am a long haul truck driver) and so I have got to get myself all prepped tonight. I am nervous, but excited. I hope that I can keep the will power. I have to go into truckstops everyday and they all have fast food places in them, or deli's or whatever and I have to keep myself from caving in moments of weakness. I think I can, I think I can. . . I KNOW I CAN ! ! ! Hope you all have someone to support you too. It makes a huge difference. My husband is just hoping that I don't turn into bitch wife from hell, and I am sooo crossing my fingers and toes that I don't either.:thumbup: -Tiff

Mine are already shrinking and I am still 2 weeks from surgery. The hubby, darling that he is, has made sure that I am aware of the boob shrinkage. I am only a C cup now and come from a family of mosquito bites, so adding flotation devices to my person will most definitely be in my future, probably the same time as the tummy tuck. All before I turn 40. That is the goal, cuz I am going on a cruise for my 40th birthday and I am gonna be cute dammit! I have 3 years to get the weight off and be surgically enhanced for my Fab 40's.

My dietician suggested that for the really "bad" days, use your immersion blender on anything you can think of - within reason - and make it the consistency to suck thru a straw. Specific suggestions were: Progresso Light or Regular Soups - entire can is usually between 150-300 calories. Canned Fruit in Light Syrup - syrup drained. Homemade Jamba juice - Fruit smoothie - Frozen fruit (I bought the big mixed bag from Costco), 1/2 a frozen banana (very ripe), skim milk, ice, make sure to add a scoop of Protein powder to it for extra staying power in the tummy. I even bought some popsicle forms and made some popsicles, the hubby and the mother-in-law are even liking them. This is my personal fav!:thumbup: Cream of Wheat or Rice - done really thin with skim milk and a couple spoonfuls of vanilla Protein powder. Good Luck, I officially start the liquid thing tomorrow. I am really trying to prep my brain for it. Be Creative, YOU CAN DO IT!!! YOU WILL DO IT ! ! !

Three Cheers 4 Karen ! ! ! Healthy Hearts R Happy Hearts. Congrats on the good test results. I wish I had some big girls to get in the way of my results - heehee. I have only lost 15 pounds so far and the hubby has already commented on the shrinking of the girls. If he isn't liking it now, he really isn't going to like it in 6 months. heehee! Congrats Again! ! !

I can't believe I am talking about this. I do it for my hubby. He is small and he really enjoys the tighter feeling. He is always very careful to get me really relaxed and turned on before he does anything. Lots of a good lube is very important, along with lots of communication. When things go well, it feels good, I don't have an orgasm, but it doesn't feel bad. Also, I know that my husband is getting sensations that he doesn't otherwise. If he was bigger, I don't know if I could do it comfortably, but since that isn't an issue, all is good. Good Luck to all that wanna try!

Mine is going to be a LapBand. Surgeon preference, I figure he is the expert, so leaving the decision to him is hopefully my best bet.

Hi, I am Tiffany. I am 37. I am married to very supportive man. I am a long haul truck driver. I am having surgery August 10th in Bakersfield, CA. by Dr. John Garcia. I have to lose 20 pounds before surgery, I have already lost 13. liquid diet starts July 24th. Final weigh in is August 7th and then Monday the 10th is THE DAY! I have 5 kickbutt sisters, a fab mom, a great dad, and a wonderful mother-in-law, along with the hubby that are my support system. I have researched all WLS and I think this is what is right for me. My GP is wonderful and she is very supportive. I am a self pay, so I am a bit nervous for complications due to the $$$ factor, but I am trying not to get obsessed about it. Good luck everyone!!!:thumbup:

My surgeon is requiring a 2 week liquid diet - no solids. I have to lose 20 lbs before surgery. I have lost 13 in the past 5 weeks by changing breakfast to a Protein shake, morning snack fruit, lunch is an all vegy salad, afternoon snack is a Protein Bar and then dinner, protein and vegys only. If I need something before bed I am doing either another protein bar or another piece of fruit. I have never been a big soda or coffee drinker, so that part has not been any big deal for me. My Protein Shake of choice is Myolean. I don't have the issues with the Protein shakes that alot of people do. I started one a day about a month ago, so I could find one I liked and get some recipes and mixtures I like before I HAVE to do it. It has taken alot of stress and pressure off and has made it kinda fun. My hubby is also doing the one shake a day with me, which makes it even better. I love the chocolate Peanut Butter and the vanilla. I can't do any of them at the strength that the instructions say. Mine are much more diluted, with lots of crushed ice. I like making the vanilla with some orange juice and lots of ice = orange creamsicle. Regular chocolate with a spoonful of decaf coffee and lots of ice is a great choco-mocha. Regular chocolate is great done in the blender with a very ripe frozen 1/2 banana and lots of ice. (I also have been doing both the chocolate and vanilla with frozen fruit of all kinds, very good.) I have the sugar free Torani syrups - Carmel, Hazelnut, and Irish Creme. Those also change things up a bit. Be creative and have fun with it and you WILL find something you like. My surgeon suggests a protein shake everyday for the rest of your life, so having one you enjoy and can adapt to your mood is very important. Good Luck Everyone!:thumbup:

August 10th here I come! Final labs and tests finished today. Hospital is paid. Surgeon is almost paid. Stocked up on most of the suggested items, even new jammies, gotta have new jammies to go to the hospital, I don't stay in the hospital garb any longer than I have to. (I am a long haul truck driver and so I have to plan way ahead, since I won't be back home until 3 days before surgery.) I start the liquid diet on July 24th. Final weigh in with surgeon August 7th and surgery August 10th. I have had to lose 20 lbs. before surgery, I have lost 13 in 5 weeks, so 7 more and I will be at required weight and status for surgeon to smile and say ok, let's do this. Reality is hitting the past few days and it is good. A bit scary, but good. Hope everyone has a good week, gotta finish laundry for the truck, talk to ya all soon.

August 10th! Everything is done except for final blood work, PFT, chest xrays and EKG - this will all be done Monday 7/13, then I am ready to rock and roll.