Redhatgal

Does anyone live in the Spokane area. I have a band which is old and tired. Seeking insurance ok for bypass. All my friends are skinny.

I too am sort of new. I joined about the time I had a lap band. Did well for a time then began having troubles finding the "Sweet spot". Then breast cancer and had my band deflated for fear of vomiting. I have been pretty discouraged and talked with my PCP who felt I had done as well as I can expect with the band. I have lost and gained the same 20 pounds now for months. We discussed the bypass and I am waiting to see if I will be accepted into the program. I am looking to give and get support and learning tip from those who have gone before me.

Is anyone aware of a web site that we can enter a recipe and it will calculate the calorie/protein per serving? I know Weight Watchers has a recipe builder but I am hoping for something that is free to use. Thank you

I recently purchased a "Topchips" microwave chip maker. Today I tried making sweet potato chips. No spice &no oil. They are wonderful! This will help me get through the munches in a healthy way. It has three silicone trays that you load with raw pieces of vegetable (potato, carrot, etc) or fruit (such as apple, pear, mango). Mine came with a food slicer to slice the product thin and uniform. Each load took 8 1/2 minutes in the microwave and then I turned the chips out onto a metal rack to cool. They were crisp and tasty.

Is anyone aware of a support grout specific to lap bands in the Spokane area? I went to the support group that meets at Holy Family but most of the people had bypass or sleeve. I didn't find it helpful. I was hoping to connect with a Bandster.

I was also going to ask, have any of you used the Weight Watchers program to guide your eating since being banded?

Thank God I am not alone! I was banded Dec 2010. The PA in my doctors office would not give me a fill so after about 3 months post-op I found a new doctor. I got 2 fills with him and he decided to quit practice. Found a new doctor. Nurse was unable to access my port so after three tries (pain) she called in the doctor. He too had problems but was finally successful. Waited for a fill for a few months ( I was chicken) but finally went back and linked up with his ARNP. Wow, she is great. Fast forward to May 2012 , I had lost almost 85 total pounds but was diagnosed with breast cancer. The radiation oncologist required that I have fluid taken out of my band. Gained 40 pounds. Now I am back getting fills. Had one day before yesterday and this is the first time I have really felt this much restriction. Awake most of last night with regurg. Please tell me this is worth it!!! This is day two of mindfull eating.

The first thing I think of is reflux. Try sleeping with the head of the bed elevated (a couple of 2x4's will do the trick) and don't eat for at least 2 hours before you go to bed. If it continues, you may need an adjustment.

Hi everyone, I use the on line tools and it has really kept me focused. I find that the WW/Lean Cuisine meals are just the right size. I usually ad a vegetable. The protein count is pretty good. I struggled with getting enough before. I do not attend meeting as I don't find them that helpful. I have about 140 more pounds to loose so i appreciate any help and support i get. Good look to all of you.

The maker of the chip maker is Mastrad. It was featured on Today show a while back. There are a few chp makers out there but during a taste test, this one came out on top. I bought it on Amazon.

New to this site. Nice to see some "mature" bandsters. I live in Washington state. I was banded Dec 2008. I lost about 60# then life happened and I needed to put energy into my in-laws. They are as much on track as they will ever be so went for a fill 3weeks ago. Had never felt restriction until then. This past three weeks has been a whole new ball game. Several sleepless nights and a lot os PBs. Last two days seems like my band has less restriction and am beginning to get hungry again. Yesterday was terrible. I kept it just under 1,100 calories but only because I went to bed early just to get away from the kitchen. Any other "mature" Bandsters from Washington out there?

In the beginning I was able to drink soda but recently had a "good" fill and that evening I tried to drink a Gin &Diet Tonic. I thought I was going to die. I was so blown up and ended having a very restless night. Lesson learned! As a matter of fact, there are several "rules" they talked about right after I was banded and none of them had ever applied until now. What a difference a fill makes.

Tried the Buffalo Chicken soup and my husband loved it. I used non-fat powdered milk instead of fresh milk and it was still good. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

I went to myfitnesspal and it was so easy I didn't go any further. What a great free site!

IMHO the Pharmacist is your best bet to find out if your medication is crushable. If your med has ER on the end of the name, it cannot be crushed because it is an "extended release" which means it is not meant to be dissolved immediately. Some medications are designed to not absorb in your stomach. You can cause great damage to yourself by crushing an extended release medication. There are "compounding pharmacies" out there who will crush your medication and put it in liquid form. Some medications come in liquid form. The Pharmacist can guide you. Having said that my first call this morning is to my pharmacist. Had another rough night post pill taking.

The first site I looked at was myfitnesspal and it is exactly what I was looking for. I am a firm believer that if I don't write down what I eat I am not going to be successful. This site was so easy to use. Thank both of you for your reply.

Could someone please explain PB, sliming etc. I was interested also in the comment about the heaviness in the chest. Since my last fill I have felt this after about 4 bites of food. I usually wait until the feelings pass and eat more to complete my one cup of food. I would appreciate comments from those of you who feel restriction. How does this feel. I was banded about 3 years ago and then stopped the follow up due to family issues. I went back for a fill three days ago and I have never felt this way in the past. I burp LOTS and even water seems to stay in my stomach for a bit of time. Is this normal???

I too love Trader Joe's. We have tried several of the premade meals such as eggplant Parmesan and we both love the flavor. They usually serve 3 so I have about 1/2 serving and this leaves a dinner and a lunch serving for my husband. I believe the prices are good and I know I couldn't make the dish for the price. I put the fresh meals in the freezer and they thaw and heat well. I heard the the produce guy tell a customer that they have produce delivered daily. The last time I was there I bought a bag of frozen shrimp/scallops/calamari. Has anyone tried this? How did you use it? We're you able to get the seafood past the band? Lots of questions?????