TheRealMeIsHere!

Quest bars are great as far as stats. You can even cook with them! The choc. chip cookie dough, cut up & baked for a few minutes is just like choc. chip cookies! Quest also makes Protein chips I also cook w/ protein powder; pancakes, muffins, etc... there are a lot of my recipes here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/358484-1-year-and-3-months-post-surgery-and-i-cant-control-my-hunger/page-2

LOL, even my sis requested it when I told her about it and she LOVES bread & carbs, but didn't miss either! Basically lettuce, tomato (opt.) onion, diced pickle 1 slice of Borden FF sharp American, cut up. Mix together 1 TBSP light mayo, some relish and ketchup Mix that with the veggies Fry up some 93% lean ground turkey and put on top VOILA!! all the taste of a Big Mac, sans fat/cals/carbs!

Turkey is GREAT as long as it's lean. I eat it quite often either deli sliced or 93% ground. It's great in meatballs, I make Italian sausage that can fool anyone, meatloaf, salisbury steak, meatloaf (great with mashed cauliflower & gravy!), tacos, burgers, etc....

Clif bars & Balance bars are higher in carbs calories than my NUT recommends. The Total lean shake is kind of high in calories, also. Slimfast shakes are a tad high in calories, but the stats are great!! The Gatorade whey protein is VERY high in calories, don't know the carb:protein ratio. Maybe only do 1/2 serving of that. You might want to limit thighs or dark meat. And make sure the ground turkey is at least 93% lean. I've seen stats on ground turkey or turkey burgers that are worse than hamburger! I have some great recipes that any veggie hater would LOVE! I also create salads that have all the taste of a fattening sub, a BLT sandwich, a Big Mac, etc... Maybe track your protein, carbs and cals using http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ or a simialr tracking site, it might help you see what can be changed up. As you weigh less you need less calories to maintain and/or lose.

You may have a lot of muscle as muscle weighs more than fat. Also, the Protein that you are eating is lean or fat free? Ie; FF cottage cheese, chicken breast/turkey breast and low carb/low calorie Protein shakes? Is it possible you are going overboard on the protein and consuming too many calories? I was doing that. Now, I fill the gaps with non-starchy veggies rather than more protein if I am hungry. It really sounds like you are doing all the right things, stalls can last a while the farther out you are.

Changing those habits, now will help you be able to benefit from wls. WLS is only a tool, it will not change habits, that comes from you.

I would think soup to not be a good test food. It is the same as drinking with food, it will slide through faster. Otherwise, it would be the same protein:carb ratio as you are recommended for any other food. I believe my NUT recommended 3:1 protein:carbs.

A lot of gyms will show you the ropes and set you up with a good starting routine

I've educated many doctors regarding my health and needs as well as regarding my son, who passed away from a rare genetic disease. If knowledge and questions offended a doctor, I never saw them again.

It sounds like your GP doesn't have a clue! Yes you need to change your relationship with food. Yes you can, theoretically, regain weight after WLS if you don't learn new habits. That doesn't mean you cannot be successful with the 'tool' of WLS assisting you. Best of luck!!

You might want to ask that in the plastic surgery forum, also

It all depends on your starting weight and how well you follow the program. You really don't want to compare yourself to others as that may set you up for disappointment and feeling as if you are failing. Focus on changing your attitude towards food & exercise, Protein, Water and calorie free liquids, low fat, carbs & sodium. If you are doing the best you can with these things, you are a success no matter what the scale tells you. Best of luck on your journey

How old are you? I started menopause at 36, and was done by 48-ish. No other symptoms besides a handful of hot flashes at 36, then no symptoms & periods stopped by 48. Doc thought I was too young, so poked, prodded and tested. Made me bleed 2 more times, then labs came back and VOILA post-menopause!! Which is what I told her to begin with, lol!!

By fruit broth, do you mean juice? If so, that could be why you are stuck as juice is highly concentrated fruit sugars with little to no Fiber. Try sticking with whole fruits that are lower in carbs and you may want to limit that. Carbs will hinder weight loss. Another thing I wonder is if you are getting enough Protein and calorie free liquids. Not eating enough will cause your body to go into starvation mode. That being said, 98 pounds lost AND maintained is a HUGE success!!

Congrats!! As a teen, I was obese, so it's like being a teenager for the FIRST time, here, lol! My weight KILLED my self esteem and that combined with moving every year and always being the 'new kid' made me VERY alone. I'm a teenager without all the insecurities and drama of being a teen!

Glad it's been taken care of and you are well! How long do they want you to wait before lifting? You definitely don't want to rush it and have it happen again.

There are ones called Sit and be fit, maybe those would be a good starting place

Just in case, you should mention it to your gyno. I was told any bleeding after a year or more of none, should be investigated

Awesome that you've begun a routine that you REALLY enjoy! That's a huge part in your future success!! Six weeks no lifting is the norm, but it depends on how you heal and what your surgeon says.

Thank you! I have posted some in another forum a while ago. Don't know how you could save them, but you could copy & paste in MS Word or MS Works, then print

AWESOME!!! I hope you enjoy as much as I do

Here's one more Brownie recipe: 4 servings: 42.5 gm chocolate Protein powder 46 gm unsweetened cocoa 120 gm egg substitute 18 gm Splenda 1/2 T baking powder 30 gm light margarine 60 gm sugar free Chocolate syrup 114 gm cream cheese (neufchatel of fat free) Mix till smooth bake at 350 till a toothpick inserted comes out clean (These fooled my carb addicted sis!! I left them on the counter, she tried some and LOVED them!!) ***If you just want to make one serving: 1/4 scoop chocolate protein powder 11.5 gm cocoa 30 gm egg substitute 4.5 gm Splenda 1/3-1/2 t baking powder 7.5 gm light butter 15 gm sugar free chocolate syrup 28.5 gm ff cream cheese or neufchatel

Another thing I do is when making tuna, egg, seafood or chicken salads, I sub out half of the mayo for FF Greek yougurt. Makes it really creamy & decadent. More recipes, just cry UNCLE at any point, lol!! Fried Cauliflower 'rice': stir fry with cooking spray 1/2 head of cauliflower or 1 bag of frozen, thawed. Chop in food processor 1/2 onion minced garlic to taste 1 cup peas shredded carrot red bell pepper 1 tsp ginger soy sauce to taste optional: scrambled egg substitute, tofu, chicken breast, shrimp, etc... Refrigerator Protein overnight oatmeal: equal parts oats and Water or milk of choice (I prefer plain unsweetened almond) 1 scoop of a protein powder with 100 cals per scoop Additions: baby food fruit stage 1 only (banana, nutmeg and walnuts is delicious!!) unsweetened applesauce canned cherries in water and chocolate protein powder chocolate protein powder and PB2 cheese Sauce: 3 servings 1 cup shredded cheddar (ff or low fat) 1/2 c ff 1/2 & 1/2 3 T flour cook and stir flour & 1/2 & 1/2 till thick (will be VERY thick stir in cheese mix with cooked spaghetti squash or non starchy veggies such as cauliflower, broccoli, california mix, etc... can even add some cooked turkey bacon, turkey hot dogs or diced lean ham 'potato' salad (I've fooled many with this at BBQ's ) 1 bag frozen cauliflower-cooked and chopped 1/4 c celery 1/4 c red onion 1T chives 3/4 T unsweetened rice vinegar 1/2 T dill 1/2 T parsley 3 hard boiled eggs 1 T ranch powder 2 1/2 T FF plain Greek yogurt 1/4 light mayo 1/2 T FF 1/2 & 1/2 3/4 tsp Dijionaise in a blender or bullet: blend mayo, yogurt, dijionaise, ranch, 1/2 & 1/2, vinegar and 1/2 c. cauliflower in another bowl, combine cauliflower, eggs, celery, onion, chives, dill & parsley combine both & chill Black Bean brownies: 15 oz can black Beans, drain & rinse 2T unsweetened cocoa 1/2 c oats (grind to powder in bullet or blender) 1/4 t salt 1/3 c Splenda 1/4 c coconut oil or vegetable oil 2t vanilla 1/2t baking powder combine all & puree bake at 350 in sprayed 8 x 8 pan 15-18 minutes, cool 10 minutes Chickpea Blondies (some sugar and chocolate chips, pay attention to whether that causes cravings and hunger for you) 1 1/2 c chicpeas, drained & rinsed 3/4t baking powder 1/8t baking soda 1/4 t salt 1/4 c brown sugar 1/2 c Splenda 2 t vanilla 1/4 ground oats or flax 1/4 c Peanut Butter 1/2 c mini chocolate chips blend all except chips stir in chips bake at 350 in a sprayed 8 x 8 pan for 30 minutes Flour-less chocolate cake: (some chocolate chips, pay attention to whether that causes cravings and hunger for you) 15 oz can black beans 1/2 c unsweetened cocoa 1/2 c egg substitute 1 1/2 oz mini chocolate chips 1/3 c unsweetened applesauce 1/3 cup pure pumpkin 1/2 c Splenda 1 1/2 t baking powder 1 t vanilla 1/4 t salt puree all till smooth, stir in chips bake at 350 in a 9" round pan at 350 for 35-40 minutes cool 1 hour Protein Muffins: 1/3 c oats, ground 1/4 c water 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 banana or 1 jar stage one baby bananas or 4 oz container of unsweetened applesauce vanilla & cinnamon to taste milk or water as needed blend all bake in sprayed mini muffin pan at 350 for 6 minutes makes 16 mini muffins Zucchini Chips: slice zucchini very thin with mandolin or peeler spray cookie sheet and lay zucchini in single layer lightly spray top & season w/ salt & pepper, and any other seasonings you desire bake at 215-225 for 45 minutes to 2 hours till desired doneness peanut butter cookie dough dip (some chocolate chips, pay attention to whether that causes cravings and hunger for you) 1 1/4 c chic peas or white beans drained & rinsed 2 t vanilla 1/4 c peanut butter 3 T Splenda 1/8 baking soda 2 T mini chocolate chips 1/8 t salt combine all in food processor except chips till smooth stir in chips Cauli-tots: These fool people, also. Tastes like tater tots from childhood! 3 c shredded cauliflower, squeeze out all moisture 1 t salt pepper to taste 1/2 t dry mustard 1/4 c yellow cornmeal (Quaker is the best) 1 egg 4 oz shredded cheddar 1/2 c onion, minced combine all spray mini muffin pan spoon in mixture, press it in well bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes

I also have an egg foo young recipe and eggnog that are great, too. Cannoli Cream: 1 Cup of fat free ricotta 1 TBSP fat free/sugar free instant pudding mix (vanilla, cheesecake, etc…) 1/3 Cup of Water 1/6 Cup powdered milk 1/2 to 1 tsp. extract (vanilla, rum, almond, etc…) Blend all in a blender or bullet. Nutrition for the whole thing (it is actually 3-4 meals for me) Fat-0, carbs-17.5, fiber-0, Protein 25, Calories-185 Italian Sausage 1 lb. 93% lean groung turkey 4 minced garlic cloves and or 2 tsp garlic powder (depends on how much garlic you like) 1 1/2 tsp paprika 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp fennel seed (or more to taste) 1 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or cajun seasoning 1/8 tsp anise seed 2 tsp parsley 1 TBSP red or burgundy wine Mix all together and use in any recipes* that call for Italian sausage (I’ve fooled MANY people) If you like spicy Italian sausage, you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes. It is great grilled for burgers or in lasagna. *My favorite thing to do with it is to flatten it into one large or several small patties, with a lip around the edge. Place on a sprayed baking sheet, top with your favorite low carb sauce, crushed tomatoes or fresh tomatoes, low fat or fat free cheese, veggies etc… Bake on bottom rack at 425* till it is done to your liking. It is a cross between a deep dish and meatlover’s pizza. Mashed Cauliflower: cook cauliflower then blend with immersion blender or bullet (they won't taste 'potato-y if you use a regular blender) Add laughing cow wedges, ranch powder, garlic, onion or whatever else you like. Protein Pancakes: Vanilla Protein Powder, baking powder, egg beaters till pancake batter consistency, cook like pancakes. You can also add plain FF Greek yogurt or FF ricotta. I'll post more recipes tomorrow, as I don't have them with me at the moment

My NUT cautions against too much fruit, as that can cause the same cravings and hunger. I rarely eat fruit, and stick to mostly non-starchy veggies.