Jacklynrae

Here you go Helen let me know if you try the Thai Carrot Soup...it sounds interesting but I am just not sure. Hope you enjoy! Creamy Potato Soup 12 oz fat free evaporated milk 1/3 tsp dried parsley 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste 1/8 tsp salt, or to taste 2 tsp olive oil 1/3 tsp chives, dried 3 medium garlic cloves minced 2 medium leeks, washed and coursely chopped (I can rearely find these and leaving them out doesn't sacrifice flavor) 4 cup canned chicken broth (low fat and reduced sodium great!) 4 medium Yukon gold potatoes peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes 1/3 tsp taragon Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium high heat. Add leeks and garlic saute until smooth, about 3-5 minutes. Add dried herbs and stir to coat, cook until herbs are fragrant, about 1 minute. Add potatoes and broth and bring mixture to a boil. reduce heat to medium low, partially cover and cook until potatoes are fork tender, about 10 minutes. Puree 4 cups of potato mixture in a bleder or food processor until smooth. Return puree to pot, add evaporated milk and cook 1 minute to heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper Creamy Thai Carrot Soup 6 oz low fat-tofu, silken variety 1 1/2 tsp thai curry paste, red variety or curry powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 tbsp mint leaves, fresh, cut into slivers 1 medium garlic cloves peeled 2 tsp ginger root, freshly grated 1/2 cup onion chopped 1 pound baby carrots 2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth In a medium saucepan, bring broth, carrots, onion, garlic and ginger to a boil over medium high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until carrots are tender. Stir in curry paste and salt, simmer 1 minute to blend flavors. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Add tofu to saucepan and puree in pot using an immersion blender (or in a blender in batches) until smooth. Stir in mint and serve.

Helen! These are all the recipes I have and I can't attest to all of them except the cheddar cheese soup. But they are all weight watchers and I have enjoyed their food even when not on a diet so I plan to try many of these. Cream of Broccoli Soup Cream of Mushroom Soup Cream of Potato Soup Creamy Thai Carrot Soup If you are interested in any of these let me know and I will def. get them to you! God Bless Jacklyn

Here is the recipe for the most heavenly cheddar cheese soup! Enjoy everyone! I am however waiting for Kimmie's mom recipe....haha if she is willing to share of course. I might have to experiment with some other recipes! 1 1/2 cup fat free skim milk 7 oz low fat cheear or colby cheese about 1 3/4 cups 1 tsp paprika 1/8 tsp black pepper or to taste 1/8 tsp salt 2 tsp olive oil 1/2 cup yellow onion chopped (I left this out and had no taste complaints) 3 tbs all purpose flour 2 cup fat free chicken broth (the low sodium stuff is great too, watch that salt intake) Heat oil in a large saucepan over a medium high heat,add onion (if u want) cook until soft. Add flour and stir to coat. Add chicken broth bring to boil stirring frequently. Reduce heat to meduim and simmer until soup thickens about 1-2 minutes. Add milk and return to boil stirring constantly. Working in batches puree soup in a blender until smooth. (Be very careful...probably let it cool had troubles with this part first time I made it haha NOT pretty) Reheat soup til a boil and remove from heat. Whisk in the cheese stir until melted, if cheese never melts heat until it does so. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Use paprika as a garnish!

That is very true! I am a Texan to heart too, haha. Yes I think that is great advice and I think even without a band if I would have followed it I would have been better off! Thanks so much you are truly an inspiration! You look great!

Thanks MammaMichelle so much especially the hint on the mashed potatoes. I would never have guessed they would slip through and of course I am such a good southern girl liking my steak and potatoes. Everybody is so helpful. I am excited to get on solid foods and change my life...prove to myself that I can do it.

I have been reading alot about people eating "around" that band. What exactly is this? I'm not sure but would like to have an idea as to maybe what behaviors to not get into. Thanks for your help! God Bless Jacklyn

Haha me too, I'm already excited about all the adorable clothes I get to wear. I was banded on the third and like you was so nervous and excited couldn't stand it. But let me tell you everything was amazing, the staff at the OCC were all incredible. The nurses and doctors were totally understanding and kind. They even helped me through my fear of needles during pre-op haha. Let me be the first to put your mind at ease and assure you that you are in excellent hands and everything will be perfect. Good luck and can't wait for you to join the club band!

Yes yes congrats! I am so excited for you. Kimmie you are very close too! Keep up the good work girls!

Oh man that sounds AMAZING!! Does she just make regular potato and puree the chunks? Or does the recipe make it creamy? Potato is my absolute fav! I can't wait.....just a couple more days.

That is sooo great to know! Thanks for your comfort....I am such a wiener! haha this was my third surgery, tons of allergy testing and multiple hospital stays as a child and somehow I am still a wuss haha! Good luck on your fill, I hope its the only one you need and this time next year we will be hotties! YAY!

That is so exciting! I know the pre-op diet is brutal. I had also gained almost 10 lbs before going on pre-op thanks to an amazing all inclusive vacation! I wasn't able to lose everything but yet I started too late! You seem like you are starting in great time and already making progress! Good Job!! Keep up the good work! God Bless, Jacklyn

Im so glad to hear that your experience was amazing! That is comforting that there are still great medical centers the states. How did the fill feel? Did it hurt, uncomfortable? I am already a little nervous I have heard the needle is huge. Im not even a week post-op haha but have such a fear of needles that I start to freak out haha. Well good luck on your fullness and I am excited you are able to feel confidant this will work for you! God Bless Jacklyn

Hi all! I am about 2 days away from creamy soups and am so excited, but I know alot of us are worried about the fatty content of the soups and while I can't offer you tons of recipes I have a couple of great recipes from Weight Watchers for creamy soups....my favorite is Cheddar Cheese soup....mmmm my mouth is foaming! So if anybody would like them let me know and if you have a particular kind you would like me to look for I will be more than glad to do so. Every little bit counts so I know I am looking forward to soups but still want to watch what I eat. Hope to hear from you! God Bless and Good luck, Jacklyn

I was banded on the 3rd, Thursday and today is the first day I have really felt like myself. Of course I am not physically hungry, a popsicle seems like a huge steak dinner haha. But I can't get over the fact that even while I was sitting the airport full of gas pain and feeling miserable the breakfast sandwich my husband ate or the little pizzas being carried around by all those damn skinny people smelled remarkable. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that while this band is a tool that will change all of our lives forever perhaps this first phase of our journey could do just as much shaping. Obviously we all have an issue with food and quite frankly mine could be referred to as a best friend, always there and always delicious, but it is this relationship that had put me in this position of being overweight and unhappy. I ate just to eat, just to enjoy, and because I was bored proof from my post op food desires. The food fantasies have been getting better as I have realized that this post op diet is really a blessing in disguise, a food DETOX. Being forced to drink for 3 weeks is going to put me in the position to re evaluate the way I think and feel about food, if I am hungry (thanks to the band I won't be too often) I will enjoy ever bite and not stuff it in my face, I will really think about what I am putting in my body and how it will help me feel and fuel my body. I am excited to be on this journey and hope that not only my body will change but my mindset will change as well. My name is Jacklyn and I am a foodaholic, but hoping my 3 weeks food detox will cure my wayward ways!

I agree. Lori and Carolyn have been outstanding and have really put my mind at ease through this entire process. THANK YOU ladies so much you have truly helped all of us out!

I totally had one of those moments too. I was having a dinner with my husband and it hit me I won't be eating this much ever again. Its scary thinking about the mental aspect....like if I can handle it but so exciting to think about how healthy and sexy i will be. But I have faith in you and know u will look and feel amazing. Good luck and God bless, Jacklyn

Thank you so much for that story. I can understand where you were coming from...weight is a very touchy issue and perceiving judgment from others is probably the biggest one. I feel so thankful that everybody is willing to share their experiences so others can learn from what works and what doesn't. I hope you continue losing weight and good luck!! You can do it!! Thank you and God bless, Jacklyn

Thank you for your story it is beyond comforting to know you think so highly of this surgeon. It puts my mind at ease!! Thank you soooo much! Hope everything is getting better and you can be back to normal in no time! Good luck and God bless, Jacklyn

I agree! It is very difficult especially as people that have obviously never dealt with our issues in a non-food related way. I too have had a hard time with my pre-op diet, and I have only been doing it for a few days. But I agree with Kimmie tomorrow is a new day and at least you have a whole group of people that understand how hard it is for food not to be just a source of nutrient but a mental stabilizer. Keep going I know you can do it....I know we all can do it....we may not be perfect but I think the desire for change will help us overcome the nagging hunger pains, even if they are just mental! Good luck and God Bless, Jacklyn

Name and Location: Jacklyn from Texas Age: 20 Gender: Female Band Date: April 3rd Height: 5'8 1/2" Current: 260 Goal Weight: 150-145 Started my pre-op diet today and going ok for now, I guess I am just excited and want everything to go as planned! Good luck and God bless, Jacklyn

I am so excited to see that I am not the only one to choose to keep it a secret. I have only told my husband, mom, and dad. Being young it is hard to deal with those people who have never had to deal with severe weight issues or even watch what they eat. I am excited to see my body change slowly and have the energy that a young women should have, and feel privacy will help this journey. Thank you all for all of your advice and the bits of information and tips on how to handle social situations will be VERY helpful. My surgery date is April 3rd and can't wait, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. Thank you all, good luck, and God bless Jacklyn

It is so nice to know I am not the only one that gets angry and frustrated and most of all sad when my food is taken away. I have a feeling I will be here looking for this kind of support because my surgery date is a month away but know that I must lose my weight before I get to Mexico. I guess all we truly have to focus on is not the trials but how good it will feel to be healthy and confident with our new bodies. Good luck to you all and we can do it! Good luck and God bless, Jacklyn

Thanks! I love tea too, but was worried it just wouldn't be the same without the pure bags and of course lots of sugar, but I will buy me some to try for sure now. I really like the Raspberry Lemonade also if you are interested in different flavors. Thanks for the tip and God bless, Jacklyn

I am getting banded April 3rd...anybody else being banded then? I am very excited but very nervous. Good luck to all of you April Bandsters, we can all get skinny together! God Bless, Jacklyn