maltomeel

Yes, I'm a professional chef with the band! I am from a family of food adorers, we are all in the industry. For me, it has been really interesting. I LOVE to cook, always have.....but now more than ever. Granted, I don't each much of what I make but I LOVE watching other's reactions. I think my adoration of culinary arts/cuisine is enhanced by the band, almost like I HAVE to be involved with food in some way, so cooking for other's is my fix.

Hey all! I've been MIA.....just quit my job (tomorrow is my last day) and got my dream job of private cheffing for an amazing family. I'm stoked.... Had my fist fill today (1 cc). It was a breeze. No pain whatsoever. It was done in about 15 seconds. I'm feeling full tonight. The office assured me I would need at least a fill or two more to reach my sweet spot...bt I'm hoping for some restiction. I'm at 226 today. I lost 5 lbs. since my last Dr. visit. I thought it was more but I'll take 22 lbs from the beginning of the journey! I'm about to start reading posts...you are active! I may be reading all night! "Missed" you all and hope everyone is feeling well.

Hummmmm...I've worked in the restaurant business my whole like and I have never cooked with a product like you describe BUT I've think I remember something....gosh, it was years ago...."extrudued" may have been in the name. I remember it being tiny diced bits. Maybe it was a hash-type frozen product??? I would check out some foodervice sites (Sysco, DeCarlo). I'm going to do some digging and see what I can find. It may be something used in Chinese restaurants also....I'm gonna look... that wasn't much help, was it? lol

Wahoo! Ohhhh, I'm so envious! That is so awesome. GREAT JOB.

I love the Morningstar Farms products which I grind up currently to add some flavor & protein to my meals. The crumbles are quite low in fat and calories and have a nice protein count. 2/3 cup=10 g protein, 2.5 g fat, 80 cals. I heat them with rotel-type tomtoes & diced chilis and spices. Recently I added white beans blended as well. Packed with protein! I also use silken tofu and blend that into soups and fruit drinks. It's also great scrambled with a bit of tamari (wheat free soy). I add Bolthouse Protein Power to my one caffinated coffee in the am. It's a Chai Latte....adds some sweetness, creaminess & protein. If I'm really "low on pro" for the day, I'll ice some decaf and add more Bolthouse. It adds up! Oh yeah! I made a very runny hummus on Wednesday. It was delicious with lots of fresh lemon juice, a bit of garlic & fresh mint. I used olive oil and some water to thin down. I ate it like a cool soup. Really yummy. ! cup beans=apx 12-1 grams of proetin. ***TAKE YOUR BEANO FIRST*** Good Luck to you! Wasabubble-love your posts, you have inspired and educated me from day one, thank you.

Thanks girls...I can have the liquid as well as crushed advil. Fiorocet....I think I have that too! It is a BEAUTIFUL day in Long Island. As yuck as I feel....I'm going to take my son to see "Spiderman" at a local farm (it's a skinny teenager in a Spidey costume!) We'll see, he's been asking to go BUT seeing those things upclose and personal usually freaks him out! lol.....I'll pick up some fresh produce while I'm there AND they have an awesome juice bar.

Hey Ladies! Ok, I had my period when I had my surgery on 4/11 (egads). Well, I'm beginning again today....and I feel nasty. I usually pop advil during TOM....what am I going to do? Tylenol does squat for cramps. I have read may times to avoid ibuprofen w/ the band. Any suggestions/advice? I am now going to read all of today's posts....we are an active group! xo

Hey Violets! I've had trouble posting....my posts seem to be lost in cyberspace. I updated my sig today. I weighed myself at the gym..... I'm at 227 according to their scale. I thought it was more...but I'll take it. I weighed in at 231 at my surgeon's office on 4/20. I see the surgeon again on 5/18 (when I hope to have my first fill). I feel great, committing to daily exericse (NO EXCUSES). I'm doing an MS walk on Sunday, to support my wonderful friend who was diagnosed 1 year ago. I'll be seeing people I haven't seen in many months...I would not have agreed to this 3 months ago (too ashamed of my weight). I am so much more confident now and look forward to a beautiful day.

Wonderful! Congrats and revel in it all!

Hey VIOLETS Kat-Hang in there and send major love to your DH. We are all praying for you. Tracy-Great to have you back. Your belly looks great. Everyhing feeling good? I'm going to break down & buy a scale today. I was solely relying on Dr. scales but I won't be seeing them for 3 weeks....and I'm dying to know. Off the the supermarket for tofu, morningstar farm crumbles and veggies. I'm dying for good veggie chili...nice and MUSHY! Everyone enjoy their Sunday.

Dr. Mayer was the head of emergency surgery at Huntington Hospital for years. He has a minimally invasive surgical office in Southdown (lloyd Harbor/Huntington area). He began doing the Lap Band in early 2005. I met with after meeting with Dr. Garber as well as few other Drs. They were all very nice and informative but Dr. Mayer won me over. My sister had her Lap with Dr. Ren and had some complictations...they took good care of her but the strain getting to NYU Medical each time was tiresome. She met with Dr. Mayer at my first consult as well and he has been doing her fills and follow up ever since. I like the idea of having my Dr. within 7 minutes of my home. He does work out of Syosset (he is quite proud of this, very complimentary of Dr. Geiss/Powers and his "fellows" at Syosset). Kim is his right hand woman and has been the BEST. She handled my insurance like a PRO and had me approved in 2 days! They are very schedule-accomodating and I really liked the referred Dr's they suggested for all my prelim work. I couldn't be happier and feel fantastic. Wow, I sound like a paid endorsement! Let me know if you have any other questions and GOOD LUCK! '

HI sooverit! I was banded 4/11 and used the fabulous Dr David Mayer in Huntington! He works from Syosset Hospital (great bariatric unit). His office is in Southdown. His office staff (kim) is soooo on top of everything. I have had a very smooth experience so far. Glowing reviews. PM me if you need his phone number, etc.

I started at a 20/22 and would FREAK OUT if I reached a regular, average 12. Omigosh, I fantasize about seeing a size 12 tag on my jeans!

Melissa- I have Empire BCBS of NY. I was told by one coordinator that the 6-months diet was mandatory, but by a second coordinator (two days later) that it was not?! I submitted paperwork that listed 5 months and was approved very quickly (2 days). I had an arsenal of met requirements and left nothing to chance. Document EVERYTHING, fax a copy to your surgeon and keep one for yourself. I think my submittal had over 100 pages of "stuff" including: PCP letter personal "mission statement" lol psych eval/support cardiologist suport/EKG/Echo nutritional eval pulmonolgist support/eval apnea study/report endocrinologist report/support letter dr's visits for over 5 years (including thyroid issues, pregnancy...weight gain & loss) gym membership receipt weight watchers "thru the years" I copied & faxed myself silly. My surgeon's office said it was the quickest approval they've see. I suppose my OCDs pay off sometimes. I'm not certain that all I did was necessary....but it was all well worth it. I'm 16 days post-surgery and feel better than I have in YEARS. Best of luck to you!

Ate well but certainly not enough protein, FAGE strained yogurt with a sprinkle of vanilla sugar cream of wheat (1 pack) with 2 tbs skim milk & water 1 boiled idaho spud, peeled, 2 wedges lite babybel (5 g pro),2 tbs lite sour cream (2 g pro) lousy foods....took my vitamins, minerals & calcium 30 minutes level 5 "ride in the park" burned 194 cals People (men) at work are treating me totally differently....flirting. Weird but fun. What a ride so far:)

Ate well but certainly not enough protein, FAGE strained yogurt with a sprinkle of vanilla sugar cream of wheat (1 pack) with 2 tbs skim milk & water 1 boiled idaho spud, peeled, 2 wedges lite babybel (5 g pro),2 tbs lite sour cream (2 g pro) lousy foods....took my vitamins, minerals & calcium 30 minutes level 5 "ride in the park" burned 194 cals People (men) at work are treating me totally differently....flirting. Weird but fun. What a ride so far:)

I had my firstPB with a tiny piece of chicken milanese....flaming golf ball in chest....quickly expelled. Other than that so far so good.

just (I mean moments ago) had my first PB. Took my Ambien (can you say "nite nite?) but remembered I had to get my son's lunch ready for tomorrow. In my Ambien stupor, I popped a piece of chicken Milanese in my mouth. BOOM. Chest pain, golf ball, intenese desire to burp.....but not just any burp! I will NOT be doing that again. The slime was flowing. Icky. Let's hope this Palov's Dog learns her lesson. Bummer....I've had no such occurances yet...still on clear & full. Just got the okay for mushies. Bizarre random act of instinct, I guess. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I don't see his name mentioned often and I must tout his prowess. I had a completely uneventful surgery, felt well cared for and very comfortable. My follow up visit was a smile and a few questions with Dr. and full exam with his outta site PA, Kim. This office has been a dream to work with. Kim has had lap with the best (Ren and Fielding) and loves Dr. Mayer's work (he now does her fills!). He's a very well respected surgeon here in Long Island and only recently (2 years) has been focusing on Lap Band. He does his surgery out of Syosset Hospital (loved) and has an office in a sweet town called Southdown. I'm really loving him! He may be a "newbie" but is a master surgeon who did beautiful work.

I need to stick up for hominy here. Pozole is a winner, whatta stew!

GR8-I was feeling the same thing. I weighed in on surgery day at 234 (happy, was down 10 lbs) so I was counting on 5-10 for my 10 day post op. Well, down 4 lbs. It feels like more...maybe it's body adjustment. I am a "need to exercise" person and I had ben taking it easy post surgery. Me thinks tis time to SWEAT.

Hi All! Just thinkin about Tracy today. She's been here running the thread so beautifully...and she's not even banded yet (gotta LOVE Tracy). Best of luck to you!!!!! Just a little love our mod.

Thanks Lizr! I tool a great walk this am before work...a gorgeous day in Long Island. I would like to start to kick it up a bit, back to the gym, but who can exercise INSIDE when it's a perfect Spring day? I don't know what I did before my iPod! It totally keeps me going. Peace

Collector-Well, I've developed HUNGER...lol. I was hoping the absolute lack of hunger would last but alas, I'm "staaaahvin". I've been able to handle it so far, sticking to the liquids. I se my Dr. on Friday and pray he'll add mushies within a week or so, How are you feeling?

Laura- Welcome back! I'm sorry you had pain but I can attest, in one week you will feel great (I'm 7 days tomorrow). Hang in there! (((hugs))) Tracy- Take that airbourne! I'm feeling good, although at days end I am pooped. Sitting at my desk all days gives me a "squished" feeling in my middle ....stretching out feels soooooo good. I'm hitting the gym tomorrow....just some easy walking on the treadmill. Hope you are all well...best of luck to the upcoming bandits!