JDru

Thanks for posting this ReneBean! I'm still on mushies (starting solids 11/27) but my appetite is back. I know I'm in this for the long haul, but sometimes I forget that my success may not be instantaneous. Good luck with your next fill!

I liked South Beach in my pre-band days. I found that I really liked the food, but if I didn't take the time to prepare my food ahead of time I fell off the wagon. So my advice would be to make sure you pack your lunch for work and always have good food in your fridge at home so you're not tempted.

Everyone seems to be different in their recoveries. I had pretty bad pain and nausea for 3 days after surgery. I took liquid Lortab every 4 hours for those three days. But after that, I started to feel a little bit better every day. I had pretty low energy for 2 weeks or so I didn't do a lot of cleaning other than dishes and light stuff for awhile. But I've heard some people only take liquid Tylenol (Audrey!) and go back to work after 3 days. It really just depends... Happy Thanksgiving!!

Down 1.4 pounds for the challenge...slowly but surely.

Fun thread!! I get to start eating solids on Nov 27 and I'm getting ready to stock up. Keep the great ideas coming...

mypov: Dr. Hansen is great and he is very good about answering questions. I would definitely write everything down because there were lots of questions I forgot to ask and then remembered after my appt. Here are some of the things I've been eating. I like to vary things...I hate eating the same thing everyday. I'm still blending a lot of stuff up. I'm having trouble getting enough Fiber in...any suggestions? Breakfast: Cream of Wheat, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit smoothie or cottage cheese Lunch: Soup, chili, canned tuna or chicken Dinner: refried Beans with melted cheese, soup, black beans Snack: pudding with unflavored Protein powder mixed in, 1/4-1/2 soft Protein Bar (Peanut Butter Balance Bar is my favorite), Protein shake, applesauce, cheese stick

Tomorrow works for me! Just to clarify: are we counting the weight we lost this week or losing 10 pounds from tomorrow until Christmas?

Thanks for the ideas KStar and Losingjusme! I haven't been in the gym for a few years now...and it's hard to get started. But I'm motivated this time!

I joined a gym tonight so now I don't have any excuses! Anyone have any workout tips or ideas?

I don't think we determined an "official" start for the challenge...I'm starting with my weekly weigh in on Sunday.

Good luck with your surgery Sweethot! Let us know how it goes.

Mary did you have problems with your fill? Or are you just not feeling well?

sandranoelle...how did your fill go??

I would say that pudding is a mushie since it's kind of thick. My doc says a mushie is anything that has the consistancy of applesauce. I hda to ease my way into mushies while eating a lot of soup. Good luck!

Welceom Dawnae!!

I had surgery on Oct 26 and the first 3 days post-surgery were the worst for me. After that, I started to feel a little better each day but I still had some pain. I felt much better after one week and almost 100% after 2 weeks. I still don't have a lot of energy though and I am exhausted at the end of the day. I had surgery on Thursday, Oct 26 and I didn't go back to work until Monday, Nov 6.

I highly recommend the Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery as well. It's written by a Lap-Bander and has awesome and easy recipes.

You must be busy with 2 little babies!! I was just banded on Oct 26 and the first three days were pretty rough for me and I needed someone to help me since I couldn't move around very much. After that, I felt a little better every day and it took about a week to feel better, 2 weeks to fell 100%. It is really difficult to bend over and lift things for about 1-2 weeks. As for picking up your kids, I guess it kind of depends on how much your kids weigh...I would ask your doctor for sure.

I'm going to officially begin the Christmas challenge on Monday bc my weigh in day in Sunday. I'll add a new ticker soon. Good luck to everyone!

Roxy that is hilarious!!! I'm still laughing...

Congratulations!! Keep us updated on your journey.

Welcome to LBT and congrats on your amazing weight loss!

I am so glad you started this thread Chris! I really struggle with being single here in Salt Lake City because people get married so young out here. I'm only 28, but all but one of my good friends from high school are married and have children. I'm definitely ready to settle down, but I think I need to work on myself for a few months first. For the past 2 years I've been in this nebulous friendship that I like to call a fauxmance (ha ha!). His name is Allen and we hang out a lot, talk on the phone everyday, mess around every once and awhile...but it's going nowhere. Over the past 6 months things have become more friend-like, meaning no messing around because it made me feel horrible after since he doesn't seem to want a relationship with me. But it's hard to date people becuase it's so much easier and less scary just to hang out with Allen. I'm working on it though...it's hard. Us single gals have to look out for one another!

Great idea Moon Goddess...I'm totally in!

Mary I'm glad your band isn't in trouble! But I hope they find out what's going on. Let us know if you find out anything.