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Dang girl... you look amazing! Kristy

Is there really an issue of stretching your pouch if you are truly sticking to the liquid diet? They should go through the band just like water... or am I way off base here? Kristy

I had a hard time with the protein drink too... big texture issue! Just keep focused! You can do it! Kristy

Just for the record... Dr. Miranda said no jello or pudding during the 21 day post-op period. I have a recipe for a yummy Taco Soup that has some yummy juice. It is easy, easy, easy... cooking the hamburger is the longest part. Dump everything into a crockpot and you're good to go! Kristy TACO SOUP 1/2 pound of ground beef (season with salt, pepper and dried minced onions) 1 packet taco seasoning 1 packet ranch seasoning 2 cans of corn with juice 1 can of kidney beans with juice 1 can of Rotel with green chili (original or mild) 1 can of diced tomatoes 1 can of tomato sauce 1 can of water (use the tomato sauce can) 2 cans of pinto beans with juice

Oh boy... did I ever! Lesson learned! Thankfully... I didn't gain. And, I feel better today and have NO desire to go buy another milkshake at the moment. Kristy

Louise, LOL... good advice. Thanks! Kristy

Anne, I don't handle protein drinks very well. I have texture issues... big time. A friend told me about a website to order protein drinks from. I'll PM you the website and the brand tomorrow. I don't have it at my finger tips right now. You might have to remind me! Anywho... I can tolerate them. And, they are the fourth brand that I tried. I wasted a lot of money on protein drinks that are just sitting in my fridge. Your day is almost here! Yeah! I'm excited for you. Kristy

Aww... you are sweet. Thanks! You know, there are moments when I think... what in the world have I done, and I feel a little panicky. Like tonight when I saw the chips and HOMEMADE SALSA on the table. And, I just sat and sucked the juice off a bowl of chili. But you know what? After walking away from the chips and homemade salsa, it made me realize that when I do get to have them... I can eat just a couple, enjoy them, be satisfied and walk away. Normally... I probably would have eaten a full bag of chips all by myself. Sad... but, oh so true. The "roll call" is kinda fun isn't it? I'm enjoying getting to know people a bit more. And... for the record, beware of "milkshake guilt!" It sucks!

I haven't had many gas issues except in the form of painful hiccups. I've only had four Gas-X strips since I've been banded... December 3. I think what has helped me is a morning, afternoon and evening walk... very short and I take it slow. Also, remember to take DEEP DEEP DEEP breathes. That is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. Surgery on the body takes a toll. And, add the stress of such a huge life change and entering into the unknown of it all. I honestly believe that walking and deep breathing has helped me considerably. If I watch something on television (that isn't Tivo'd) I make an effort to breathe deeply during commercials. Good luck! Kristy

Thanks girls. Milkshake guilt! I told myself I would have one during week two and one during week three. Next week... I may just stick with the fudge-sicle that I was planning on eating until I drove my car into Sonic's drive-thru. Is the reason for no straw because of gas issues? I haven't had many gas issues except in the form of painful hiccups. But, I continually try to be conscientious of the possibility so I don't get myself into a bind. Kristy

Kim, That is so great! By the time you have your tuck and lift... where in the world are you going to lose 10 pounds from? You look amazing! Kristy

Add me to the "Taco Bell Pinto-s and Cheese Club." Always been one of my favorites. On my pre-op diet... I sometimes substituted a Lean Cuisine for the Taco Bell favorite. Kristy

Breakfast: 4oz drinkable yogurt. Lunch: Cream off of a cup of Subway's soup. Splurge: 14oz (yikers!) banana shake from Sonic. Dinner: Sauce off a bowl of chili at a church Christmas party. And, I feel a little miserable. I don't know if it is eater's guilt from eating after a week of clear liquids or if I just plan ate to much. What do you think? I guess I'm having a hard time listening to my body. I think the social eating is going to be the hardest for me. I really wasn't even hungry when I got there, but I grabbed a bowl of Chili anyways. Kristy

Thanks for all of the advice! I do have a Wii and Wii-Fit. However, my nieces and nephews confiscated my Wii-Fit. I should go track it down. I completely forgot I had it! After much thought... I went ahead and purchased the Bowflex 7-series Treadmill from Amazon. It was on sale and I was able to get free shipping. The thing that I like is that it is the best rated treadmill in Consumer Reports. And, it folds up. Hopefully I made a good buy! Thanks, Kristy

Ugh... I'm so torn. The Bowflex 7-series Treadmill has amazing reviews. And, while the treadclimber is good... the reviews all state that it's overpriced. I know that I won't be running for awhile, but I'd like to eventually. And, you cannot run with the treadclimber. Decisions, decisions! Kristy

Yay! Way to go! Keep it up! Kristy

I decided that Bayley (my puppy) is going to buy me exercise equipment for Christmas... I have to have something under my tree. Right? Right! And, this would be one heck-of-a big box! My question... does anyone own a Bowflex Treadclimber? If so, likes and dislikes. I... err, I mean Bayley, would hate to spend that kind of money and it be sucky. Know-what-I-mean? Perhaps it would be smartest to stick with a treadmill? Consumer reports rates the treadmills, but not the treadclimbers. Kristy

Funny thing... day 8 and I didn't jump up to eat something creamy first thing this morning. I had my drinkable yogurt this morning (Love Dannon Danimals!) and had my water. But, for lunch I went to Subway and got their creamy potato and bacon soup and picked out the potatoes, celery and bacon. It was yummy! And, by the time I finished eating it... I was full. Bring on the next 13.5 days! Kristy

Yeah... scales are EVIL. I hate mine. It makes me want to cry... and PIGOUT! Kristy

Shelby, I was a fast food junkie too! Everyday for work. And, I live alone... so most often for dinner too. Kristy

1. Name: KRISTY 2. Location: NEW MEXICO 3. Age: 33 4. Band Date: 12.03.08 5. Married: NOPE 6. Children of the human or furry kind: NO HUMAN KIDDOS, BUT I HAVE A SIX MONTH OLD YORKIE NAME BAYLEY. 7. Hobby(ies): SINGING, PLAYING THE PIANO, QUILTING 8. Work: I WORK FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT AS THE CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR. 9. What was the deciding factor(s) on getting banded: I CAN LOSE WEIGHT, BUT I STRUGGLE TO KEEP IT OFF. AND, FINANCIALLY I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DO IT. 10. Interesting factoid: I EAT MY CEREAL WITH A FORK.

Just to get to know one another a little better... I thought this might be fun. Just cut, paste and type away! 1. Name: 2. Location: 3. Age: 4. Band Date: 5. Married: 6. Children of the human or furry kind: 7. Hobby(ies): 8. Work: 9. What was the deciding factor(s) on getting banded: 10. Interesting factoid: Feel free to not answer a question(s) if you're not comfortable. Me, Kristy

And... I'm so happy! However, tonight I found something wonderful to eat. If you have a good Mexican restaurant in your area that serves yummy Pa-sole --- go get some! Oh, it was so good! I asked them to give me lots of juice. It had the perfect spices. It's another idea for those of you out there on "week one of clear hell." Tomorrow this girl is having a fudge-sicle! Kristy

I wish I lived in an area that had such support! Come here and share what you learn! Kristy

Sabrina, I would call your primary care doctor and see if he/she would prescribe Phenegren or Zofran... it is an anti-nausea medication that works wonders. Your meds DO NOT have to be in liquid form during your 21 day post-op... I verified this with Dr. Miranda. Take capsules normally and break tablets into two or three pieces. Kristy