dylanmiles23

I only have a few on Pinterest but not many. I have made my own black bean burgers and a black bean casserole I will email you the recipes. Tofu basically takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with. I have sautéed it with cabbage but I use a lot of seasonings. To me that is key to eating vegan you don't want to buy things and they taste bland. I will send you the links to my pinterest and also my hubpages and my group on facebook if you would like. Let me know. my DIL's uncle is Dr. Neal Barnard and he is a real vegan. He has many cook books out. He is always on tv promoting his vegan ways and he turned Ellen into a vegan, too. She had met him at someone's house and loved his ways. I will never be a vegan, I hate veggies. Good luck.

​I am very proud of you!! Yesterday I went out with my husband to eat at a local diner. I knew the owner/cook had WLS but until yesterday never knew it was the band. He has had it for 4 years and lost around 150. He yelled at me for what I ordered, a hot dog, no roll and some french fries. He said a roll would have been better than the fries. He cooks all day and he always has his Protein shake for when he gets hungry. We both use Body Fortress in chocolate. At night when I would have been eating, I play poker on Poker Stars for about 4-6 hours. I am a huge poker player. I have ADD so I play poker, watch tv and read at the same time. I always have drinks, like hot tea or iced tea. Another way to get your mind off food, wet nail polish. You can't eat with wet nails. I now wear gel polish so I don't apply top coat anymore. I never allow food in my bedroom, if you are the same, watch tv , read or exercise in your bedroom. Good luck. We are all rooting for you!!

Nothing wrong with asking your doctor and or dietitian for help. Call Monday morning and try to see someone this week. Also, you can go back to post-op diet of shakes and get a jump start. Good luck.

A lot of times I have grilled salmon with green Beans or salad. As far as oranges, I don't eat those because of the skin like thing the is around the pieces. i do eat jarred Mandarin oranges because there are no skins. Enjoy your dinner.

​Congratulations on your new journey. For shakes, I only drink chocolate. I buy Body Fortress, around $15-$20. at Walmart etc. I use 8 oz. milk (i drink almond unsweetened vanilla) 1 scoop Protein, about 1 tea-tablespoon of decaf instant coffee and about 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract. I have a small Hamilton Beach blender (under $20.) and it is also the drinking cup and then I fill it with ice. It becomes as thick as McDonald's shakes. I have one every morning for Breakfast for over 1 1/2 years. I started a few months before I had the band to try to lose weight and it worked. Also, every doctor is different. When I get a fill, I have shakes for 3 days, then mushie foods for 3 days and then back to my regular foods. I do fine with this recipe. Everyone has their own. I find the coffee and peppermint kill the after taste of the protein mixture. Good luck.

I sometimes feel like I am in the green zone. I have had either 3 or 4 fills for a total of 2.2 or 2.4cc's. I forget those things. My doctor goes slow. I see him 2 weeks from tomorrow. I have been around the same weight for 6 months or so. He is thrilled with my loss. I would like to lose 40-50 more. I am far from a perfect eater but I don't eat nearly what I did before. So my tool, The Band, is working. I also, have been do any exercises lately, lazy, even though I pay for a gym membership. Just remember, we are all different. Good luck. Arlene

I am a bander and I weigh myself too much also. One of my bander friends doesn't own a scale, smart person. She only gets weighed at the doctor's.

Happy New Year and good luck. We all choose WLS because we all have an eating problem. Each one of has it a little different than the other person. Last week my MIL asked how I got fat because I am a very plain eater, no salad dressing, no extras, never had mayo, mustard etc. I loved fried foods. I could eat a large pizza everyday. I gave up fried foods except for maybe 1-3 fries from my husband's plate. I loved bagels and lox or french toast for breakfast, now just protein shakes. I only have crusty breads in restaurants. I have made a lot of great changes and still do. I am far from perfect but over eating gets stuck and I hate the feeling. I have never thrown up, which is wonderful. Maybe see your dietitian before surgery or talk to someone in the WL field about your family eatings.

Good luck with your new journey. My dietitian recommended the Cliff protein bars. I love the chocolate mint ones. They are the only ones I eat. People have recommended the Quest ones, I never had one. For shakes, I only drink chocolate and I add a little decaf instant coffee, a little peppermint extract and tons of ice and they are as thick as McDonald's.

Please don't give up at all. I almost did. It took me about 10 months because of hospital changes and my age. I know, I have a band, but we are all WLS people. Have you ever thought of calling the insurance company and saying, WTF?? Bug your doctor's office. Say to them, please check for me and I will call you Monday at 11:00am and just keep doing that. Good luck and keeping trying. Arlene

​Congratulations on being banded. I love the band. As far as foods getting stuck, everyone has their stuck foods. I get stuck when I eat too fast or the pieces are too big. I have never thrown up but I go get the slimes and hic cup and burp. I find walking until I do burp helps me. I eat almost everything I want just much smaller portions. I can not chew lobster anymore and being from NE, that is a staple here. For meats I can only chew filet mignon now. Pork I sometimes find hard to chew but very well cooked ribs I can chew. I guess it's a chew and find out what works for everyone. As far as the MIL, each to his own thoughts. I have a know it all cousin, RN at that, who says her by pass surgery failed. She eats everything, large portions and drinks wine everyday and cocktails when dining out. I saw pictures of her recently (we don't talk anymore) and she is huge. When her mother was alive she had had by pass also and regained all her weight, which was over a 200 lb loss. You just have to 'try' to be smart. I am far from a perfect eater. I eat chocolate, pizza and tonight I am having Chinese food but I just eat much smaller portions and for the most part gave up all fried foods. I loved fried foods. Have a great year and just remember we are all different, our doctors and dietitians have their own rules to follow. Those people are the only people you should listen too 100% of the time and you will do great. ​One thing I didn't do in the beginning was take pictures and measurements Arlene.

Bariartic Advantage sends out samples. I take those and Nature's Made fish oil gummy. Ask your dietitian for their thoughts. Good luck with your journey. I love the band and it was the best thing I did for me.

Hi. I never heard of not eating fruit and veggies that are uncooked. I know every doctor is different. I have been with the same doctor the whole time but 3 different dietitians. The 2nd one told me nothing is forbidden but eat smart. My current one has a long list of forbidden foods but I eat what I want. I have fruit all the time. I find pineapple too stringy to chew. I buy jarred mandarin oranges and love those. I have eaten apples but no skin. I love very cold green grapes that are hard and crunchy. I eat melons, they are very easy to chew. Maybe ask your dietitian for help. I haven't lost any weight for a real long time but I am maintaining and my doctor loves where I am now. I would still like to lose 40-50 pounds. I gave myself 2 years to get to a decent weight. The weight went on over many years and I know it takes many years to be happy with a new me. I don't exercise enough, that is my problem. Good luck.

Hi, Sorry but I am south shore, Randolph. Nice to see people from the Boston area, though. I am 63 and have lost 75-80 . My doctor is thrilled with what I weigh now but I would like to lose 40-50 more, I think. I go to WOW, the prices are great. I just have not been much lately, no excuse other than lazy. I enjoy eating out a lot. I really enjoy Not Your Average Joe's. Yes I eat the bread, but the crust of the ends dunked in the oil. Bad me but I love it. Tonight we went to Bugaboo and the other night Bertucci's. I do eat out a real lot. What area restaurants do you like to go to? Have a great evening. Arlene

I had to give up lobster I can't chew it anymore. As far as meats, just filets are tender enough other than meatballs, which I am cooking now for the freezer. I am eating more fish than ever before and that is a great thing.

​Congratulations on getting the band and starting your new journey. You must!! stick to the post op diet your doctor gave you. Your stomach has to heal properly. Maybe you weren't ready for the surgery. Sip on Protein shakes, make them thick with ice cubes. That is what i did and still have every morning for Breakfast. When I get a fill I am put on a strict diet for 6 days and would never think of not following the rules. I had my surgery 18 months ago and only had what was on my list. Maybe call your doctor's office and ask for help. Good luck and Happy Holidays.

I have the band, but WLS is WLS. I didn't find this site until after the surgery. My lung doctor told me I was getting the band. I never asked questions and never looked into anything other than the meetings at the hospital. Maybe sometimes not knowing is better? Just think of all the wonderful things that happens with the surgery: fitting into a restaurant booth, not buying clothes in the 'Plus' department, crossing your legs (I am right now), fitting into seats at a concert or sports arena. These are all NSV!!! to look forward to. NSV=non scale victory. Good luck and happy holidays. Arlene

I always say when in doubt, call the doctor. They know best. Before I lost weight with the band, I lived on Vicodins. My back is doing much better now that I try to work the muscles at the gym. Good luck. I even had the shots in the back. I use to go for PT 2-3 times a week in a heated pool and that was super. The rehab center closed the pool and I got lazy and never looked for another place.

I also don't love the after taste of shakes so I have a wonderful recipe. I buy Body Fortress in chocolate. I use 8 oz. milk (I use unsweetened vanilla, almond milk) 1 scoop the powder, a little decaf instant coffee (about 1 tablespoon) about 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract and lots of ice. It becomes as thick as McDonald's shakes. I have been having these for Breakfast for over 1 1/2 years and banded less than that. I have a small Hamilton Beach blender that is also the drinking mug, they are under $20. at Target or Walmart. As for drinking. I brew my own decaf iced tea and use sweetener. I hate lemon. Good luck with your up coming WLS.

Hi and welcome to the best site and the greatest support system ever! Getting the band is the best thing I did for me. I am much older than you. Being that you are so young just think of all the wonderful things you can do with your child. Sorry forget the sex. Going out to dinner and you fitting into a booth is a great NSV. (non-scale-victory) We all love those on this site. Smaller size clothes. Breathing better. I don't snore anymore. I no longer shop in the 'plus size' departments. My only meds are Vitamins and minerals and 2 prescriptions for BM troubles, I have. Good luck and stay in touch. Arlene

The corn starch and salt give it "grill marks". It makes it crispy. That is what I read and have done and it works. It is on Cook's Country or America's test kitchen, they go by both names. They offer the recipes through the tv site. Good luck and enjoy.

I am from MA where Romneycare started and now there is Obarmacare. People may complain but because of Romneycare I have wonderful health insurance that pays for everything. My very sick husband maybe would be dead if not for this wonderful insurance. Look into Obarmacare.

Have you called the area hospital and asked for help? Sometimes teaching ones will help. I live in Boston and we are noted for having lots of teaching hospitals. Also, call the lap band manufacturer and ask for help and how to handle this. Good luck.

Not as good as fresh but still better than a sirloin. And I also like rib eyes but sometimes they're a little too tough for my band. And, it's colder than Alaska here and grilling(the only way to cook steak) is too painful. I watch on PBS Cook's Country and they say to put corn starch and sea salt on all steaks and wrap in plastic wrap and put in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then put the steak into a hot pan with a little oil and sear the steak and then transfer into the oven until done. They taste like a high end steak house. The oven is around 400 degrees. I use a meat thermometer to check the temp.