MamaMichelle

You may think of it as a "diet" but most people can eat what they want to some degree they are just eating 2/3rds less than they used to! For me I have been dieting off an on for 5 years (since I gained 70lbs with my pregnancy) I would always do great for the first 1-2 weeks then I would get a craving or make a poor choice by binge eating on something that was restricted from my diet at the time. Then my mindset was, what the hell I have already blown my diet for the day and I would fall off the bandwagon! For me my lap band is a safety net so I don't give in to excess, yes I will still get a craving for pizza but instead of eating 5 slices like I did in the past my band might only allow me to have one, and feel really full after eating it... so it's win-win I got to have my craving food but I didn't give in and overeat because the band won't let me... Really what could be better than that?

Everytime someone adds a new post to a thread the thread is moved to the top of the forum list... If someone wants to move their thread to the top of the list but doesn't have anything new to add they just say BUMP so you know that they are moving the thread up with out having to post or give a reason!

http://www.livingafterwls.com/Recipes.html Great site with recipes for those who have made it to the post-op real food stage! The recipes are written by actual post-WLS (weight loss surgery) patients so some of them have little personal stories about the dish...

I totally agree!!

No Prob, it randomally changes my view sometimes too!

Just checked them out!! I am so jealous, you have the skinniest legs!!!

If you are using Internet Explorer you can change the text size on ALL webpages by clicking "VIEW" from the top menu the 8th option on the list is "TEXT SIZE" put your mouse over that and a menu will pop out to the left- then choose Larger or Largest... Hope that helps!

At the top right of the post box there is a button that says Options- click there and choose standard view not outline view

Sorry just saw this post.. Here's what I did: starting 1 week post op I used Neosporin daily with band-aids... After 2 weeks post op I used Maderma and opened Vitamin E capsules and out it on them before bed!

Here's a great article from Yahoo about Diet Soda... Skip the Diet Soda By Lucy Danziger, SELF Editor-in-Chief Provided by: SELF.com Get ready to ditch your soda habit. I’m kicking Diet Coke — it takes time, and I’m down to five a week from a high of 12, but it’s worth it. Here’s why: Recent research has shown that artificial sweeteners in soda may interfere with your body’s ability to estimate how many calories you’ve ingested, so you eat more than you need. In a new rat study, animals that ate fake sugar consumed more calories overall and gained weight, compared to those that didn’t eat artificially sweetened treats. This is just one study, but it’s enough to make me want to kick the can habit. Need more convincing? For every diet soda you sip daily, your risk of becoming overweight can rise by 37 percent, according to researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. We also know that regular soda is a total sugar bomb — most people I know gave it up long ago. At roughly 225 calories a pop, a 20-ounce bottle of regular soda packs nearly as many calories as a chocolate bar (but is much less satisfying). Typically, soda also contains zero nutrients — so who needs it? Still have some soda around? Fine, stow it for guests who haven’t decided to quit. Next time you want a fizz hit, try seltzer with lime (or for a caffeine fix, green tea). What are your favorite low-cal soda substitutes?

Wow guys!!! Thanks so much for the sweet words- I still have a long way to go but I wanted to make sure I had a map of where I had been so that's why I decided to take pictures every month, I actually took a set of pics in a bikini and while that's where you can really see a difference I don't think anyone wants to see me in that, lol maybe when I am into the 150's... For some reason the pics in the My Album section are still hidden, so here are the other 4 pics: Back view of my "Goal Dress" couldn't even zip it an inch on 2/28 and then halfway zipped on 3/28. Side view, YUCK! You can see I still have a long way to go! Another side view, my stomach has gone down alot... it even looks like I've had a breast lift, lol. Face Shot, sorry that I'm not wearing any make up and you can see my bra, lol.

Here is a picture of my scars at 1 month post op... These are only 4 of the 5 scars the other is hidden under the bra I have on... Oh and the long diagonal mark is a scratch from my dog (not a scar from surgery)!

Just posted my 1 month progress (and pictures) and I am down 17lbs since my surgery... I have been walking so that probably has helped me lose more that the typical post-op patient, but I have just been feeling so energetic since losing the weight I have to burn off the energy somehow! don't be discouraged and don't try to compare yourself to anyone, All that matters is you get to your goal no matter if it takes 6 months or 2years, your body will release the weight at it's own pace that is perfect for YOU...

While we are on the topic, anyone have any favorite frozen treat suggestions? I have been craving chocolate lately and a fudgsicle sounds great. I have had heard good things about the "Skinny Cow" brand...

Hey Claire- I know it sucks right now and every one wants to do the "fare-well to food tour" for me I started my pre-op diet waaaaay early because I knew I would be tempted to cheat so I would eat along the guidelines for 6 days out of the week and then on the 7th day I would eat 1 healthy meal and the other 2 were old favorite meals. It really helped curb my desire to cheat since I had a goal to look forward to that way it was always a few days away. Obviously it's a little to late for you to start with your surgery date getting so close but along the same lines as what I said above if you choose your favorite meal and plan to have it the evening before you leave for TJ it will help get you through the rough times! Good luck...

Helena- I am so happy to see you posting here again, as one of the Veteran Bandsters (like snowbird) you have so much great advice to offer all of us who are at various stages in our own progress. Thanks again for sharing your experiences!

I posted this on my myspace blog ( http://www.myspace.com/mamamichellelv ) but I thought I would share it here too so hopefully those yet to be banded or just recently banded can get a little inspiration from my progress. I am also posting 2 sample before and after pics but if you’d like to see all 6 and you aren’t a member of myspace you can check out my Album here on the boards: Visit My Forum Album (I think a moderator has to approve the pictures before they will show up in my album so if you can’t see them yet check back a little later in the day)! Jan 1st 2008 – Highest Weight/Start of Pre Op Diet Weight: 246 lbs Chest: 48" Waist: 46" Hips: 51" Arms: 16.5†and 16.5†Thighs: 30†and 31†Feb 28th 2008 – Date of Surgery Weight: 226 lbs Chest: 46.5" Waist: 43" Hips: 48.75" Arms: 16†and 16†Thighs: 29.25†and 30.25†March 28th 2008 – One Month Post Op Weight: 209 lbs Chest: 44.5" Waist: 37" Hips: 46.5" Arms: 15.75†and 15.75†Thighs: 28.5†and 29.5†RESULTS: Weight: -17lbs lost in 1 month post op (-38lbs lost since starting pre op) Chest: -2 inches lost in 1 month post op (-3.5 inches lost since starting pre op) Waist: -6 inches lost in 1 month post op (-9 inches lost since starting pre op) Hips: -2.25 inches lost in 1 month post op (-4.5 inches lost since starting pre op) Arms -.25 and -.25 inches lost in 1 month post op (-.75 and -.75 inches lost since starting pre op) Thighs: -.75 and -.75 inches lost in 1 month post op (-1.5 and -1.5 inches lost since starting pre op) For a total of 17lbs and 12.25 inches lost in 1 month post op and 38 lbs and 21.5 inches lost since starting pre op! BEFORE AND AFTER PICS - Taken Feb 28th and March 28th My first "Goal Dress" Size 12 - Hope to be in it by July 4th for my Husband's Birthday Dinner! This is what I wore while shopping after my surgery on 2/28 it looks a lot better on me as of 3/28.

Hey Miss Mindy, So glad you had a great experience (not that I had any doubts) can't wait to hear about all your progress... I know you will do great!

Best of luck sweet Kimmie- You have been a great source of help for so many others and I have enjoyed reading your posts thus far... Can't wait to hear about your experience at the OCC, I know it will be as wonderful as what you've read from all of us other veterans, lol! Soon you will be one too...