bandgal

meat LOAF MINIS 2 lbs. extra lean ground beef 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix 3/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs 2 eggs (can use Egg Beaters) 3/4 cup Water 1/3 cup ketchup Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine all ingredients, mixing well. Spray muffins tins with no-stick spray. Fill muffin cups with 1/3 cup of meatloaf mixture. Press lightly to smooth the tops. Bake uncovered 40 minutes. Makes 18 to 20 mini meat loaves. TIPS: These freeze very well…I just put them into a ziploc bag. Just pop them in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner. Top with a little BBQ sauce or ketchup if you like. You may substitute ground turkey breast for the beef. It is delicious and lower in fat, but make sure to use ground turkey BREAST, not ground turkey as it is about 15% fat and has a stronger flavor. 1/3 cup of the meatloaf mixture weighs 3oz. I count one mini meat loaf as 3 servings of Protein. (I have 6 servings of protein per day) I make my own bread crumbs by drying and crushing “Granny’s Delight Wheat and Fiber Bread” This adds a fiber boost! Try substituting some of the ground meat with finely shredded zucchini, carrots, or frozen chopped spinach. bandgal banded 8/25/03 303.5/259/140

I was told by my surgeon absolutely NO carbinated drinks EVER! I have found Minute Maid Light Lemonade it wonderful when I just have a craving for a soda. It has 10 calories for the whole can and is really quite tasty. It's also great added to sugar free Jello in place of the Water. I have done that with lime, raspberry and strawberry jello and they were all very good. bandgal banded 8/25/03 303.5/259.0/140

What am I doing wrong? I am almost 4 weeks post-op and still on soft foods. I am eating small portions, 4 to 6 oz at the most and not eating between meals. Drinking only water and sugar free lemonade. I guess I am averaging around 500 calories a day, possibly even less some days and I have gained 2 pounds this week. I have not had a fill yet but I don't see how that will matter when I am eating the same amount that I would if filled. I am starting to regret getting the band. I lost better on Weight Watchers and Atkins and I was eating a ton of food on both. How is it physically possible to gain weight on such a small amount of food? Help!!!

Thank you everyone for your replys!! Everyone is telling me that 500 calories a day is not enough and that I need to eat more. My many years of dieting have taught me that same thing, but I do not see how I can possibly get 1000 calories a day eating only 3 meals a day and keeping the meal size at 4 to 6 ounces each. This is what my surgeon told me to do. How can I make 1 1/2 cups of food equal 1000 calories? I was instructed not to eat between meals but it seems that is the only way I can get in enough food/calories/nutrition. Experienced bandsters, please tell me how you do it. Thanks! bandgal 8/25/03

Elma, Thank you so much for your reply...It does help me so much to know what has worked for others. What kind of Protein shake are you having for breakfast? I haven't found one that is very tasty yet. I am gagging down a Revival Soy shake now. Another question..you said at dinner you would have fish or chicken..is that all? No veggies or some kind of side dish? I really appreciate your help and congrats again on the fabulous new you! bandgal 8/25/03

Thanks for the support! The reason I am feeling so frustated is that if I am eating the same amount now that I would be eating if I was filled and I am not losing but gaining, what will being filled change? When filled I will not be eating less. If my body thinks it's starving now that is not going to change after a fill. I am eating mostly Protein...I am following the diet the doctor gave me which is 6 servings of protein, 2 breads, 1 milk, 1 veg, 1 fruit. I'm not always eating 2 breads, some days I don't have any. I guess I really need to put the scale away and just trust that this will work in the long run. I just really want it to be working NOW!!! bandgal 8/25/03

Elma you are my hero!! I hope and pray that I can have the success with the band that you have had!! I would really like to get a better idea of what you were eating during that first year. You gave us an idea, but could you be more specific...I'm sure many of us would like to know. If you don't mind, please list a few examples of what you would eat most often for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Congrats and continued success to you! bandgal 8/25/03 303.5/283/135??

Had some problems with my account and could not post anything to these boards...Had to re-register with a new user name. I was "bandgirl" and will go back to using that if the administrators can fix the problem. Had my first post-op support group tonight...it was nice to meet you Tasha!!! It's great to see other people succeeding with the band! I can't wait to get a fill...right now I am having to rely way to much on my willpower to keep my portions small and make the right food choices. Obviously if I had great willpower I would not have needed the band in the first place! I am feeling no restriction what-so-ever. I feel like I could eat anything and everything, but somehow I am keeping to three 6 oz mushy (low cal and low fat) meals a day. I am eating less than 500 calories a day on average. Not sure how long I can keep this up without more restriction. I know the first six weeks are about healing more than losing, but I just really want to be a loser NOW!!! I am not a very patient person. bandgal (Wendy) banded 8/25/03 303.5/284.5/130

I don't know if I'll go to Curves or not...That's pretty far for me to go as I live at the north end of Salt Lake, but I am interested in what Curves has to offer...I wonder how it compares price wise to a regular gym. Right now I am just walking at least a mile every day and I just ordered a Pilates system with bands off eBay. I have a tons of excercise videos, I just need to start using them! I would like to do the water arobics but there is no way in Hell I am putting on a bathing suit yet! We will have to remember to give out this board info at the next meeting.

Had some problems with my account and could not post anything to these boards...Had to re-register with a new user name. I was "bandgirl" and will go back to using that if the administrator can fix the problem. Had my first post-op support group tonight...it was nice to meet you Tasha!!! It's great to see other people succeeding with the band! I can't wait to get a fill...right now I am having to rely way to much on my willpower to keep my portions small and make the right food choices. Obviously if I had great willpower I would not have needed the band in the first place! I am feeling no restriction what-so-ever. I feel like I could eat anything and everything, but somehow I am keeping to three 6 oz mushy (low cal and low fat) meals a day. I am eating less than 500 calories a day on average. Not sure how long I can keep this up without more restriction. I know the first six weeks are about healing more than losing, but I just really want to be a loser NOW!!! I am not a very patient person. Looking forward to getting to know everyone! bandgal banded 8/25/03 303.5/284.5/130