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Pandabear, we are all so proud of you! I'm glad you came on here with your great news! Be proud and don't be afraid to repeat your performance! I go to DD for their awesome coffee. They've had a commercial for a certain food item that I shall not mention, that I am dying to try, but am so far successful in my drive to stay away. You stayed away after waiting for five minutes, then so can I! Thanks!

Hello, I am 45, I am over 350lbs. , restarting my Lapband journey next week. My question: I have a comorbitity of osteoarthritis, it got bad enough that I had two total knee replacements. One a year ago, one 4 months ago. I have exercises that I do to keep the knee's moving smoothly, but am having a hard time at that. I go to the gym 3-4 days a week and ride a recumbant bicycle for a 1/2 hour. Adding five minutes each week, slowly. The other exercise I tried to do was the eliptical. I last about three to five minutes on that. It KILLS my thighs to the point where I can't walk when walking is still hard for me. My surgeon does not want me to use a treadmill. And these were the two exercises they suggested. I am fighting to get stronger and will not give up, as my knees will not last as long if I am this heavy. The main reason I am returning from a long absense from Lapband Life. Plus, I don't want to have a stroke, or die. Has anyone on here ever had total knee replacements? If so, if you were morbidly or super morbidly obese, what exercises did you do to recover?

I belong to Pinterest and have found many recipes for frappacino's, machiato's and iced coffee. Of course, I rearrange the ingredients to fit my meal plan needs. I'm drinking one right now! Jean's recipe's are really good too!

Yes, do your research! On here, on the VSG and RNY (I think) forums (with a link to it at the bottom of this page), carefully on the internet, with several doctors and if appropriate, with family and/or friends. I was banded back in 07, not successful (my part as well as the band, long story) and I just went back to see my surgeon last week. They, too, mentioned getting the sleeve (VSG-Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) and boy did that take me by surprise! They told me we'll take it one step at a time, and to do a lot of research. No matter where you go, you will find supporters of this surgery or that, and naysayers as well. All surgeries have successes, complications or failures. Just don't hurry in your decision! It's your body, and the body of your future baby. Make the decision that best suits you and you'll do fine.

We have something up here in NYS that's called "pork rinds", is that the same thing? They're pig skins deep fried. They're light and crunchy. You can get plain or BBQ, but I used to eat plain with hot sauce. But no more. However, the dog loves them! Could this be the same thing?

Hey everybody! I have a recent issue that I've come across. My husband and I go to our country property on the weekends where there is only a grill, and on occassion we're able to use the the propane fueled stovetop. There is no refrigeration or freezer, we use a cooler. My doc has me on the South Beach diet, I am on phase one where the food choices are very limited, for two weeks. Then it's phase two for two weeks. Phase one is all Protein, all vegetables and no carbs. The objective is to kick the carb addiction, if that can happen. Asside from grilling fresh vegetables, I don't know what to eat! I have to eat 3 meals and 2-3 Snacks. I'm brining a can of crabmeat, blackbean burgers, extra lean burgers and a bunch of vegetables. Being a convenience food user, I am at a loss as to what to bring on the weekends. Can you help me think of meal ideas (protein, veg, no starch) and snack ideas that will fir in the confines of the grill, cooler and stovetop? I can think of LOTS of snack ideas but I can't have them!!!

Just make sure you tell them! And I think I'm gonna get one too!

Oh they have it alright. I've asked for vanilla flavoring and they always ask whether I want regular or sugar free. I think it's kind of new, it may not yet be on the website, or even on their nutrition list.

I, too, drink the sf vanilla iced coffee at McD's...but 120 calories sounds awefully low. I watch them put the cream in and it's quite a bit. Besides, I drink a large! Gotta love my iced coffee! I'll check McD's nutrition chart.

Oh, you people are wonderful! But you already know that I'm sure! kmt, what's a cracklin? Jerky sounds like a great idea, but costly. I've heard of these jerky's...beef, turkey, alligator, bison and I think ham. But I'll be sticking to the beef, turkey and ham. pollyanna, wonderful ideas...btw, nice name! My name is Polly! Not short for anything, just Polly. I hated it as a kid cuz I got picked on a lot...Polly wanna cracker? Ah! But now I'm proud of my name, never met another Polly, until now. cazzy, tuna mixed with lemon??? Hm, gotta think about that one. I forgot about Protein bars! Yes, I think we get chicken in a can here. I bought some smoked almonds, yum! Ham, good idea, I can roll it up with a slice of ff cheese and lettuce. Thanks! You guys really helped me out with your idea's and made me think of some more. Thank you so very much, my stomach and shaky hands (barely ate yesterday and today) thank you. Hell, my Dr. thanks you! If anyone else has more idea's, well fess up!

What is a "Paleo"? Is it the name of a diet? I've seen it on here before but never knew what it was.

isit5yet, your link cannot be found. Do you have the correct address, cuz I'd love to see it!

I have a real dumb, embarassing question about hard boiled eggs. My husband is a chef/cook, and he does all of the cooking. Yea, I know, lucky me! He's helped me so much, but I do the baking, I hate cooking, he hates baking. Anyway, he's at work right now and I have that stupid question I spoke about (and to have lived this many years without knowing the right way to do it, *shame*) How do you boil an egg? I mean, I know how, but they usually come out green (over boiling) and the shells stick to the egg (even after "shocking" the eggs in very cold Water, asap. I've heard about putting vinegar in the water?? Do you put the eggs in after the water boils, or before the boil? Oh, don't laugh! I can bake and decorate the most beautiful all occassion cakes you ever saw! Just can't boil that damn egg! help? :ph34r:

Lianne, That's good to know that the pain was half that of the band surgery. Very sorry to hear of all the other pain and complications that you had. What should have been an easy recovery, wasn't. Most people heal in a much easier manner. It must suck to be the exception. Other than years of great disappointment, my recovery was great. Remember, I am not sure if I'll be sleeved or not. I have to follow the South Beach diet for a month, and we'll go from there. My LPN just suggested the VSG, and I'm doing all the research I can! Thanks for all your sharing, and information. I hope I'll be seeing you around on either forum.

Lianne, Wow, you seem to be doing very well, and very happy for being only two weeks out! It's nice that you have your sister to go along with you on the VSG journey. I'm sure she likes it too. I don't know if my band would remain in place or not. I'm thinking that to have the two of them in your body at the same time would be redundant, but I don't know. I never thought of the VSG being half of the duodenal switch, and that's been around a while. I guess the permanency I'm cautious about is the "no return" of it all, and having staples or sutures in an organ in my body.I'm learning a lot on VST. Did your unbanding and sleeving hurt really, really bad? I've heard a lot of people say how much more painful the VSG surgery is compared to the Lapband surgery. I remember being in a lot of pain the day, or was it the day after surgery? Hm. Anyway, I had two knee's replaced recently and they drugged me up to where I felt no pain in the hospital, and little at home (major drugs...) , and I'm scared that they won't put me on good pain meds. How was it for you? Yea, my LPN said the VSG had much less visits to the Dr for fills and unfills too. I went through a bunch of those the short time I was filled, finally I gave up. There was another perk to the sleeve, but I can't remember it. I'm glad both you and your sister are doing well! Maybe I'll see you again on LBT or on VST...

I had my band done back in 07, lost about 40 pounds, jumped off the bandwagon and am now trying to get back on. I saw my WLSClinic's LPN today, and she brought up the sleeve. I think I might have zoned for a second because I can't remember if she was wanting to leave the band in and still get the sleeve, or take the band out and get the sleeve. She said it might be a good option for me because more and more people are finding it harder and harder to lose large amounts of weight, like I need to do. I've been reading up on the sleeve, and am bothered by two things: 1. The permanence of it. It seems like such a drastic thing to do, cutting out some of the stomach. And 2. It's new so there really is not much data on long term effects. So, I'm pretty worried. Can anyone add to my 1 & 2 questions? Or just provide your two cents? I'm going to check out the site for the sleeve as well.

Hi, I'm going to see my surgeon, or his LPN, I don't know...in a few days. I've been away for five years, long story. If you'd like to know why, check out "My Story" on my Profile. Anyhoo, I'm dying to find out what will happen in this visit? Do you think I'll be sent for x-rays, or and endoscopy or what? I'm not thinking he'll fill me right away? Have any of you been away from your surgeon for a while and had to jumpstart or start all over? What was your first visit back like? I'm going crazy wondering.....

Hey there! I think it would be a GREAT idea if LBT offered a quick, easy link that converted kilograms to pounds, vice versa. I come across many people who don't measure weight the way I do, and I have to keep leaving the site to google "kilograms to pounds". I can't be the only one. Can you add a link?

The song...."The Greatest Love of All", by Whitney Houston. Give it a try, works for me!

Thanks for the well wishes! It helps me to know that it does get a little easier. Aside from not wanting to die from super morbid obesity, one of my main reasons to use my lap band again was because I know my knee's will last longer if they don't have as much weight and stress on them. My PT and Surgeon only offered up three types of exercise for me (recumbent bicycle, eliptical and swimming). I'm working on all three. SO happy to hear you and your husband are doing so well both with your knee's and with losing weight. May you have success for a long time to come!

Wow, sounds like you had a tough go at it! I was in a wheelchair while in rehab for a week, and hated it. I can't imagine being in one for six weeks. With the degeneration of your knee, after surgery is it better? I hope you don't have to have a total one day, but if you do, you sound like nothing keeps you down for long, you'll be able to work through it! The exercise you suggested are the one's I was doing in the beginning of recovery. I had 3 months of PT and didn't think those old exercises would be very beneficial, but if you think they would be, I'll re-try them! Anything to get back on that eliptical. My "Y" is 40.00 a month. A lot for me, as I haven't worked in over a year. But I'm working on that. I hope your little girl keeps you moving forward, I'm glad she got you this far! That's patience, hard work and a lotta love there. Thanks for responding, see you around....

Hi, I sincerely hope this link brings you to the right site. It's one of a WLS recipient (though not the band, but still helpful) who has this long list of recipes for Protein shakes that you might like. You may have to surf her blog to find the list but it's there I tell you! So many cool recipes for those of us who need Protein Shakes. Good luck. http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.com

OK, scroll down on the left side, there will be a link to the list of proetein shakes! Hope you like...

Thanks corrykidsmom, Welcome to LBT! I hope you like it around here, I do. I don't know anything about cartilage transplants, but it sounds painful. I'm 45, but my knees were bone on bone, no choice. Oh well. But I do try the eliptical. You are obviously younger than me, and you started out in great shape, which really helps in the recovery phase. I wish you well. How do I get through the wicked, disabling thigh pain? It's such a smooth machine, I should be able to do it but can't. I don't mind some pain, but disabling? I am WAYYY out of shape, do you know of any knee friendly exercises to get my thighs to be strong enough for the eliptical? I really love the feel of the machine and really want to do it. There's a YMCA being built near my home, I will be joining it for the pool exercise, but until then I just ride my recumbent bike like crazy and do my home exercises. Any suggesstions on building up thigh strength would be SO appreciated. Thanks.

Yea, I love this forum! I used to be on another one long time ago, and it was full of people who were very judgemental, crude and so high up on their horses. This forum has SO many people who are kind, informative, compassionate and there for you whenever you need them. Thanks to the administration (ease of site, creative forum titles, etc.) and Thanks to All of you! :wub: