IndioGirl55

Here are some food ideas that I just found in my word and my sample menu

Alice OMW - You still have Aunt Flo - Hugs - Mines been gone for a couple of yrs now - she may sorta fly by every six months (spotting) but no more monthly visit - Another blessing of old age :tongue: The self awareness of what you are doing is going to be the key that unlocks the door to your issues with food.. You are thinking more before you eat something you really maybe shouldn't - where before you didn't think you just ate it.. This is a process - we have been fat for years it's not going to happen overnight - I am still afraid that I will gain it all back - that free is still in me - but it keeps me aware not to let my guard down when it come to food and not exercising - I don't listen to that little devil on my shoulder telling me it's ok to eat any and everything and no to go to the gym... I know it's the devil and I refuse to give in to him... I found once I was banded I paid more attention to why & what I ate.. When I want something unhealthy - I just say to myself - did you have surgery to continue to eat this way 98% of the time that works - but I do allow for a 2% treats (real sugar and not healthy foods) Each day you will think more and make better choices - and am glad to hear that there are more good days than bad - keep working at it you will succeed.!!!!

Becky sorry missed that part of your post (ticker help) here is the link that give the instructions on how to get a ticker http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

Riberity - Congrats on exercising more - yep when I am on vacation it's the 1st thing i do in the mornings - I love it - if i didn't have to work I would be at the gym every morning 5 or 6 days a week... :thumbup:CONGRATULATIONS:thumbup: :grouphug: MRS NORMAL BMI THAT IS JUST SO FANTASTIC YOU HAVE DONE THE WORK BE PROUD... Linda yep we were a little concerned about you... 2 lbs is good you have lost alot this last yr and have to expect it to slow some. I am really happy that you are still coming to the M of A trip - Yes you need some grownup time. I guess I am lucky to have developed my own life and not as wrapped up in my kids as alot of pple are - maybe it's cuz I was so young when I had mine - and then getting gs - I am sorta done with kids - I want time for me and what I want to do - that's what growing up is about for me.. Ya I will be there in a heart beat for the kids - but it's my time now and I totally get it that you don't always agree with their decisions - but it's their life - just like our parents didn't always agree with ours - but we still did it.. Yep you need us... We are here for you never forget that. I have a gf just like you - her whole identity is wrapped up in her kids who are 25 & 27 who still live at home. I try and tell her even mommy birds kick their babies out after awhile - that they have to learn to fly on their own eventually :redface: - I hope I am not coming off like a cold heart "B" cuz I really not.. It's just that I think there comes a time in our lives when it should be about us... Ok back to work - will CBL :biggrin:

Kimberly Helping helps me too The band does give you that extra little help that you need as long as you have the commitment :grouphug: unjury is a Protein powder to make shakes (choc vanilla strawberry) to make shakes with they have unflavored that you can add to food (soups) to increase the protein content (but you gotta let the food cool to 130 or it will curdle) You gotta get samples of diff stuff cuz we all have diff taste - some like the matrix and I can't stand it - when I went to my nutritionist visit they gave me samples - my doc office sells stuff too - I like the Jay Robb Vanilla egg white Protein Powder the best - add some lite OJ and you have an orange Julius - you can google jay robb and order it from his website.. I didn't have to give up caffeine (but again every doc is diff) I have one or 2 cups of coffee in the morning and ice tea during the summer Slimming is what happens when you get stuck or ate too much - your body produces extra saliva to get the food thru your pouch - it will bubble up and you will have to spit the stuff out - I don't always bp (productive burp - a little like throw up without the stomach acid) when I slime but usually do - last nite thought I was still hungry ate green Beans and then slimed and bp'd - I wasn't really hungry and already full. Sliming & bping usually happen when you don't chew well enough or eat too fast or too much - I will want one more bite - I will be chewing it and know that if I sallow - it's going to be that one bite too many and I will bp so I will spit it out. I wasn't scared to start on whole foods - I wanted to know what sliming and bping were all about - and once it happened I knew and now know how to avoid it- Well most of the time - I still feed my head hunger issues like last night and the green beans - but it was green beans not another large serving of mashed potatoes loaded with butter or some other high fat high carb food - Green Beans - so somethings do change :biggrin:

Thanks Densie I bet you were cussing up a storm :grouphug: - I got in mine this morning for about 1 1/2 but i get bored trying to sun myself and reading in the pool isn't really very easy - You gotta wait 6 weeks til you can get back in it ?? Just think how cute youare going to look with your new girls Ok it's 8:26 - off to the couch - see ya'll in the morning coxoxox Janet

Becky you are doing good on the food only suggestion make your unjury with 100% skim milk (more protein) and add it to your Soups instead of water - that's what I did to boost the Protein.. - I don't think I was eating much for the first few day... Hows the other issue - the tmi issue has that gotten any better :redface: Hi Serenity I'm here for you but warning some tough band love coming your way (Love is the operative word) I am with your doctor - if your band is too tight to let you eat regular food then you are abusing it and with that abuse you could be injuring yourself. Also and not to be mean here but what are you accomplishing keeping your band so tight - you are eating around it anyway. The only person you are kidding is yourself - as I keep saying this battle with our obesity is mental - You just gotta get your mind in the game and quit playing games with yourself. I know all about those games - I have been there done that and even convinced myself I wasn't playing head games with myself:lol: That I didn't mind being fat - that I was happy the way I was - I enjoyed my food - couch and tv. Well that frickin couch food and tv were killing me - fatter and fatter - tired all the time - etc - you know the drill. You have started the journey to get healthy by being banded - but that little devil on your shoulder is telling you that your band isn't working - so just eat around it - it's ok you still are eating smaller portions its' ok eat that baked potato loaded with butter and sour cream - cuz that's all you are eating... Wrong !!!! Do you know how much food I have thrown away - You know those new cute snake packs of Cookies - ya 1 bag 100 calories but when you keep going back for one more bag - those 100 calories adds up.. So in the trash - If I can't control it - it goes in the trash - that's is empowering - throwing the crap away - You are a food addict - the addiction is worst than drugs or alcohol as we have to eat food to live - we can't totally abstain .. You have the prayer - now put it into effect in your life. To nite make a grocery list with healthy food choices (no sider foods) clean out the pantry of all the junk foods. Plan healthy meals for the week bf lunch dinner and 2 healthy Snacks - get a little note book or go online and keep a food diary (dailyplate.com) Call the doc's office tomorrow - get a slight unfill so that you can eat hard proteins - Do you do any exercise - if so what - starting tomorrow at least get in a 30 minute walk (you can break it down to 3 10 minute walks if need be) minimum 5 days of the week. If you can go to the gym even better - walk on the treadmill and then we will have you hitting the weight machines. You will weight yourself in the morning and then you will put the scale away til next Monday morning You will eat healthy for the next week - you will log your calories (keep them between 900-1200) you will exercise just for this week you will make this commitment to yourself You will drink your water or crystal lite (64 oz a day) for the next week. Next Monday if you have followed the plan - you will get your 1st 7 day chip for living a healthy lifestyle.. OK so now what to do when that old devil food is calling you. Don't buy the junk = have only healthy low calorie foods to eat (sf healthy choice fudgecicles - sf puddings - air popcorn) Look for a distraction - get on the computer come to LBT - it's open 24/7 - p.m. or email me - I will usually respond that day or the next (depending on the time 3 a.m i will be asleep and getting back to you when i am awake:lol:) If I am gone for a weekend - you have the other ladies here who will help you. -"you all can say - Oh Janet would say to do this or that" Or Oh we know Janet is going to kick our butts if we eat that candy bar and go over out calorie budget We are a team - We are accountable to ourselves 1st and the team secondly. We are all fat chicks battling the little devil on our shoulders telling us it's just to hard to do this - (Yes I still consider myself a fat chick - cuz in my head I will be forever - I Know that I can NEVER NEVER go back to being a couch potato and a foodie or it will come all back on even with the band) Ok other distractions - go clean the bath room - clean out your drawers - your closet - go wash your face and give yourself a facial. If you want to talk privately you can always p.m. or email me by going to my profile - but there really isn't anything you can say that the others here haven't already experienced (we all have done things that are embarrassing - closet eating bingeing etc) Give me one week - you can do that - small goals is what we are after and all those small goals add up to BIG ACCOMPLISHMENTS :biggrin: BTW - I will be gone next weekend Friday - Sunday - I have been asked to participate on a lap-band patient advisory panel and I don't have a laptop nor do I have Internet on my cell phone - I don't text - my age is showing :tongue:- I am not one who has to be connected 24/7 -OMW my 13 yr GD carries her cell phone to the bathroom with her - my GS who's 17 is on the computer - house phone talking and texting on his cell.. Information overload for me :tt2: You can do this = just one week at a time ok - I am here for you - and yes some days it will be hard - but you are worth the work - you can do this - you have a brain and soul you have more control than you give yourself credit for.. You can and will do this... I have faith in you.. Hugs Janet

Phyl = Ya blowing the smoke out the window is considered smoking outside :crying::sad: But only if the weather outside real bad (for me too windy) - but if it's nice no = she needs to take her butt outside :thumbup: Did you go to Costco today?? OMW 7 layer chicken burrittos sample was great had cheese chicken avocado beans - I would never buy them too good but had that and a little piece of a hot dog and got a little stuck- oh ya some great cheese - I bought it gueyre (sp) I will have to becareful with it - but it has only 80 calories rather than the 100 from reg cheese. Got my green beans, fresh salmon for dinner and my catfish and 2 medium dresses :0) Steph I bet it would be hard eating away from home - this comming weekend with be a bit of a test - you would think since it's about the band it would be band freindly but only us patient advisory counsle will be banded not the pple who run it and it's at a hotel - but having to make choice away from home is very hard = your old brain wants to creep back in ... well at least for me it does and they whole water issue - I have been terrible and that causes problems in the timi dept... I just ate so can't drink and I need to.. Candice I will email you linda's email - I really hope you guys can come - I have already bought my ticket when she said that she was comming for sure.. I know that she had some showers and junk going on - so email her and f ind out whats up.. Ok back to my book - I layed out for 1 hr this morning - Costco - home - nap and now reading... Got my clothes washed ironed and ready to pack for next friday cbl :ohmy:

Good Morning Gang Where is everyone??? I have been up since 7 - cleaned the kitchen - cleaning out my closet (3 bags of clothes that are too big that I have bought between Nov & Feb. Washing clothes - ironing.. And some that I was hanging on to thinking I would alter - I am never going to do that so in the bag they go - need room for new stuff Need to get dog food and some fish - maybe I'll go to Costco later Nothing exciting... Well the dryer just dinged - gotta go - cbl :ohmy:

Karri Thanks - ya I am worried that I will be overdressed - It looks really good on but the pic doesn't do it justice DH will find something he enjoys - I am keeping good thought prayers and wishs in that area. How are you feeling today- are you going running tomorrow - becareful and not over do it - warm up really well.. Movie was good - I cat napped in the beginning he had to catch me up my gs mom's maiden name is Aragon - That was Katherine's maid name - My gs could be a decendant of royality - I am part english - my grandmother on my fathers side was borned in England - I have family tree but no royality - barristers put no kings.. Ok it's 10:15 i am tired going to hit the sheets.. TTYL xoxo Janet

Ok gang - My GS asked me if I wanted to go to the movies with him tomorrow - (I think he is sick:lol:) He said he wanted to see a movie that none of his friends would want to watch I asked which one is that - Guess The Other Brolin Sister I can't beleive he wants to see that one = I told him it's out on dvd and that I almost bought it today when I was at target - so he went to get it - $20 for the dvd is cheaper than going to the show - So as soon as he gets back we are going to watch the movie - when I saw the previews I thought I would like to see that one at home - I think I would get to ansy at the show - I can't sit still for long periods of time and if it gets boring I go to sleep... Will ck back later

Becky the bigger cut is where your port is - the other 4 are where they inserted the instruments to do the surgery.. You will find that a creamed soup never tasted so good I was lucky I got full liquids when I came home from the hospital .. As far as how much - half cup of unjury x2 is 1 cup - how much broth or are you saying you have only had 1/4 of a cup total for the day of all that stuff - I am blond sometimes :redface: I think I had like 1/2 cup soup for my 1st meal and that lasted for a few days (meaning I could drink about 1/2 cup 3 times a day and some water - i don't think I did 64 oz in the beginning - heck even now I have a hard time sometime getting my water in)

Candice - Well Said :redface: It's so true

Lets see if I do it like this that we can get a bigger picture

Peaches - Prayers & good thoughts for your Mom and your entire family (Hugs) Mof A Trip - Phyl & Me & You - Steph & Linda were the other 2 to make a total of 5 - Jackie & Kari can't - Chim said she booked a room but she hasn't popped in a while?? Good on tracking your calories !!! Phyl - you better not let those kids know when you are showing up - you gotta keep them guessing.... Vegas next year sounds great Phyl - I know Candice likes the machines and Jackie too so may be we can get her to come - It's closer for Karri too so maybe she could come and we could see her bikini body :0) Ok I got the most beautiful dress today - I ck'd the rest we are going to dinner on Saturday - it says Casual Elegance - WTH is that - Well, I had one dressy dress - but I wore in January - so I figured it was too big - and when I tried it on it was - So here is a great excuse to go shopping right - but who knows what Elegant causal is. Well this dress size 10 form fitting spaghetti straps with a shawl make me look like a million bucks. Its white greens yellow pleated going horizontal But I think it might be too dressy - I will take a picture later and post but my hair isn't done so maybe tomorrow Well here's a pic of the dress - It's sort of a satiny material shinny :biggrin2: I guess since I don't dress up often I don't know the meaning of all theses new terms - I know Cocktail - formal - business casual but not the other names... I will take a pic when I am done up but I am pooped - gym at 7:20 did my 3 miles home shower - hair dresser - nails - gas - mall tried on 7 dresses - then had to go try on strapless bra - do you know what when I use to look for large sizes they were always gone - now when I am looking for 6's or 8's or a 34C bra - all I find is 42C - 14's - 16's 12's - WTH is up with that :redface:

Becky I had the runs for like 2 week after surgery - I finally took some imodiam (sp) You are still healing - don't worrry too much - just take it slow and try to get your fluids and protein in - when do you go back to the doc??

Thanks Shir - I feel fantastic !!! I really want the 150 which would make my total loss 100 lbs - My original goal was 170 - didn't think I would make it then got to 180 and pushed goal to 160 again never really beleived I would get there (I have never gotten to goal on any diet/program that I have ever been on) I am going to Vegas next weekend need a casual elagent dress - got a beatiful one - size 10 form fitting - my pants are 6's or 8's - I am feeling great - I have had a couple pple say they didn't recongize me :redface: Yep when you get here in Sept we can get together - Phyl should be getting here in Oct or early November...

Shir - We are winter neighbors :smile: I live in Indio - but I live hererYear round - it was 115 today:cool: I have lived here all my life :biggrin2: Phyl who is a July Bander with me and in the 50+ thread & Christen thread - winters here to - she lives in WA in the summer...

Denise I usually don't have a hard time sleeping but Wed I drank some really really strong ice tea before I went to the gym (I was tired on Wed) and I think that did it - I can't drink caffeine to late in the day.. My little furr baby Angel wakes me up to go potty at least once a night..

Here's some of my opinions (a post to a lady asking about the band and how come pple lose slow or not at all) about the band and the work involved - though you guys might want a little more insight about how I feel and what you need to do to win this war .. Welcome - LBT is a great site for info & support. I am going to give you my tough band love explanation (love being the operative word) Reasons some don't lose or lose very slowly and this is my personal opinion #1 THE BAND IS ONLY A TOOL!!! It in itself is not going to cause you to lose weight... You have to realize this going in - and that little part of your mind that say ya this is the answer it's the magic cure - that's the devil talking to you - cuz it's not the magic cure answer to our obesity. The band requires alot of work on your part. #2 There are pple who say I didn't do this to go on another diet - they continue to eat the same food that they did prior to banding - which usually is high fat foods and foods loaded with refined carbs (oh btw I am not an atkins advocate) and foods that have sugar. With the band once you get proper restriction (which can take awhile for some) it will limit the amount of food you eat at one sitting - but you can eat around the band ie candy Cookies milkshake alcohol gravy all slip right thru the band (these soft foods are slider food) plus we still absorb all our calories (not like bypass patients who don't). These pple are going to lose some weight just do to the fact that they can't eat large quantities - but they are not going to lose a significant amount in my opinion. #3 Some pple have a slow metabolism (for reals - they have been medically tested not just another fat chick excuse) or another medical reason #4 To actually loose 100% or very close to your excess weight you are the one who has to make major changes in the way you look at food - You have to make healthy food choices (low fat - limited sugar and limited carbs) and you have to add exercise into your life. The band is only a tool to help with your portion control it doesn't make your food choices or it doesn't do the exercise. Losing weight is all about calories in vs calories burn - plan and simple as that. When you read the stories of pple who have been successful with the band - most will tell you that they counted calories - weighed and measured their foods (as fat chick we don't know what 4 oz looks like - to use a serving of ice cream is either 1 pint or a whole half gallon not 1/2 of a cup) and they also keep some kind of food diary/log and they exercise their butts off. They changed their food choices - there are alot here who do atkins or no refined carbs - I still have my starches (but limited to dinner only) I follow a basic WW type eating plan and IMHO I think it's the healthiest.. I am 11 months out and I am still learning how to control my head hunger issues ... I can be physically full from my dinner and still want to eat Our head hunger issues are our real problems - As fat chicks the minute we thought we were hungry we would eat - then eat again - we would eat past full - All of us have diff issues with food some more complicated and some as simple as boredom. We use food to soothe us when we are upset, angry or sad - we use food to comfort us - we use food to Celebrate and as reward for something or cuz someone told us we shouldn't - we use our fat as a barrier against the world. All these things are the mental issue that must be dealt with if we want to lose the weight and keep it off for good (neither the band nor any WLS is guarantee that we keep they weight off forever) To this (keep the weight off forever) you must make this your lifetime life style change in eating and exercise Diets don't work cuz the minute you go off them and go back to eating normal you gain all your weight back - eating normal for us is what got us fat in the 1st place. Now Exercise - as fat chick we don't want to exercise cuz it's too damn hard - it takes too much energy. Well you must exercise - our bodies were made to exercise. You just make the commitment to yourself - you start slow and steady and each week increase it a tad - I could barely walk 1 mile 11 months ago on the treadmill doing a 25 minute mile on a zero incline - but every couple of weeks I would increase the speed and inclines - I now do 3 miles in 50 minutes on vary of inclines from 3 to 7- I work out with weights 2 x a weeks (muscle burns more calories) Ok I wrote a fricking book here - but I just want you to know that even with the band it's work - it's still hard -- it takes will power to make good food choices and discipline to go to the gym or workout where ever you choose but with the band (once you have proper restriction) as a tool it does make the job of losing weight easier. As you said not easy but a little easier.. IMHO I that that I have done 75% of the work (making good food choices and exercising) and the band has done 25% of the work by providing portion control and making me feel fuller physically on 1 cup of food. I take credit for my weight loss - ya the band helped - but it's just a piece of plastic - it doesn't have a brain to make the choices and changes that I have made in the last 11 months. Good luck on your journey - I love my band and I love me for doing the work - I am strong - I have control (well 99.9% of the time) I am a new woman and I am loving the way I feel - 10 yrs younger the quality of my life has improved 150% - it's the best decision I have ever made..

Karri See things have a way of working out $1600 $$$ that you weren't counting on :redface: I am so happy for you :smile: Ok good to know about the Walgreens - My schedule is as follows Get to Vegas 2 ish on friday - 6 p.m 2 hr receiption with heavy hordoves Saturday Meetings from 7 a.m til 4:30 (they feed us bf & lunch) then 6 dinner at some fancy restaurnt (that's be 2 hrs) - Then Sunday 7 am to 12:45 meetings (just bf that day) and my plane leaves at 2:45 to come home I am not going to have much time - maybe a couple hrs before reception and then after (I know 2 pple from lbt going - well don't really know them but you know what i mean - Ghost and and I are going to hook up an maybe do a little shopping) Saturday who knows how tired I will be - 7 a.m to 8 p.m. (well maybe not to tired to gamble a bit) - and then sunday no time.. I have a gf who lives in vegas - but haven't told her I am coming yet cuz I don't know when I could fit her in. I am really happy to hear that you stayed in your p.js all day - you need that - :smile:

Denise - Congratulations on those 2 lbs - That is great - I sure wish I could quit eating at night - last night was ok - went to an Airbonne party (like mary kay) didn't get home till like 8:30 had a lean cuisine and cereal bar for dessert and that was it. Plus I took a 10 mg xanxa to help me sleep. I think I am going to have to get a scrip for them- Don't worry gang - I am no where close to being a druggie (seen too much of it in my life drugs & alcohol) but there are just some night's I can't sleep like Wed night - I need more than 4 hrs a night - but a great NSV - in the past I would have eaten myself to sleep - but don't do it now Gpttaluvme - Welcome - LBT is a great site for info & support. I am going to give you my tough band love explanation (love being the operative word) Reasons some don't lose or lose very slowly and this is my personal opinion #1 THE BAND IS ONLY A TOOL !!! It in itself is not going to cause you to lose weight.. You have to realize this going in - and that little part of your mind that say ya this is the answer it's the magic cure - that's the devil talking to you - cuz it's not the magic cure answer to our obesity. The band requires alot of work on your part. #2 There are pple who say I didn't do this to go on another diet - they continue to eat the same food that they did prior to banding - which usually is high fat foods and foods loaded with refined carbs (oh btw I am not an atkins advocate) and foods that have sugar. With the band once you get proper restriction (which can take awhile for some) it will limit the amount of food you eat at one sitting - but you can eat around the band ie candy cookies milkshake alcohol gravy all slip right thru the band (these soft foods are slider food) plus we still absorb all our calories (not like bypass patients who don't). These pple are going to lose some weight just do to the fact that they can't eat large quantities - but they are not going to lose a significant amount in my opinion. #3 Some pple have a slow metabolism (for reals - they have been medically tested not just another fat chick excuse ) or another medical reason #4 To actually loose 100% or very close to your excess weight you are the one who has to make major changes in the way you look at food - You have to make healthy food choices (low fat - limited sugar and limited carbs) and you have to add exercise into your life. The band is only a tool to help with your portion control it doesn't make your food choices or it doesn't do the exercise. Losing weight is all about calories in vs calories burn - plan and simple as that. When you read the stories of pple who have been successful with the band - most will tell you that they counted calories - weighed and measured their foods (as fat chick we don't know what 4 oz looks like - to use a serving of ice cream is either 1 pint or a whole half gallon not 1/2 of a cup) and they also keep some kind of food diary/log and they exercise their butts off. They changed their food choices - there are alot here who do atkins or no refined carbs - I still have my starches (but limited to dinner only) I follow a basic WW type eating plan and IMHO I think it's the healthiest.. I am 11 months out and I am still learning how to control my head hunger issues ... I can be physically full from my dinner and still want to eat Our head hunger issues are our real problems - As fat chicks the minute we thought we were hungry we would eat - then eat again - we would eat past full - All of us have diff issues with food some more complicated and some as simple as boredom. We use food to soothe us when we are upset, angry or sad - we use food to comfort us - we use food to celebrate and as reward for something or cuz someone told us we shouldn't - we use our fat as a barrier against the world. All these things are the mental issue that must be dealt with if we want to lose the weight and keep it off for good (neither the band nor any WLS is guarantee that we keep they weight off forever) To to this (keep the weight off forever) you must make this your lifetime life style change in eating and exercise Diets don't work cuz the minute you go off them and go back to eating normal you gain all your weight back - eating normal for us is what got us fat in the 1st place. Now Exercise - as fat chick we don't want to exercise cuz it's too damn hard - it takes too much energy. Well you must exercise - our bodies were made to exercise. You just make the commitment to yourself - you start slow and steady and each week increase it a tad - I could barely walk 1 mile 11 months ago on the treadmill doing a 25 minute mile on a zero incline - but every couple of weeks I would increase the speed and inclines - I now do 3 miles in 50 minutes on vary of inclines from 3 to 7- I work out with weights 2 x a weeks (muscle burns more calories) Ok I wrote a fricking book here - but I just want you to know that even with the band it's work - it's still hard -- it takes will power to make good food choices and disciplined to go to the gym or workout where ever you choose but with the band (once you have proper restriction) as a tool it does make the job of losing weight easier. As you said not easy but a little easier.. IMHO I that that I have done 75% of the work (making good food choices and exercising) and the band has done 25% of the work by providing portion control and making me feel fuller physically on 1 cup of food. I take credit for my weight loss - ya the band helped - but it's just a piece of plastic - it doesn't have a brain to make the choices and changes that I have made in the last 11 months. Good luck on your journey - I love my band and I love me for doing the work - I am strong - I have control (well 99.9% of the time) I am a new woman and I am loving the way I feel - 10 yrs younger the quality of my life has improved 150% - it's the best decision I have ever made.. Beckyo - Sorry to hear you aren't doing to good - but you are (were) only one day out - it takes awhile - I see everyone has told you gasxstrips they do help - be happy that you can't eat much and enjoy the weight loss this 1st week or 2 - your hunger will return - GET SOME CHEWABLE PECIDS (That's what my doc had me get prior to surgery) they should help with the heartburn As each day passes you will feel better remember you just had major surgery and we aren't 18 anymore (plus let me tell you even some of the young ones take longer to recover than us 50 yr olds) Hey there Thin - sounds like you are doing great !!! Keep up the good work - Proud of you :smile: Bevdi - Tylenol pm works for alot of pple (not me :smile:) I would talk to your doc - the meds you are taking are responsible for sleep walking driving etc problems ... Beckyo - Good to hear and like I said - enjoy being full on a little and not being hungry - it will return once your stomach heals. so enjoy for now:tongue: Hey there Phyl - Are you bringing your Wii when you come back down to the Desert - I want to try yours before I put out the $$$ - I'll pay your a rental fee

Ruby Glad you are still with us - our numbers seem to be dwindling - Kristin, Marcy, Kathy, Sunshine, riberty, Jeanine, NewCC - the other CC, breadlady, Dini, chim just to name a few- heck jackie and linda have been mia alot lateley - Steph must not have her computer - isn't she at a lake doing math?? You sound like you are doing really good 67 lbs gone - you are doing great.. I still want food and have me hungry lately - yesterday for lunch ate a piece of bbq chicken - fast and didn't get stuck - but since I am going to vegas on friday and they say flying tightens your band I don't want to get a fill and be too tight and plus they are feeding us breakfast on Sat & Sun - Lunch On Saturday - Dinner on Saturday (some fancy restaruant inside the Wynn) and Heavy Hordover (sp) at the receiption on Saturday (must mean enough to consider it a dinner) - I can't take food on the plane - so what am I going to do for my night time muchies - I doubt the gift shop is going to have any healthy snacks. Girl you are to frickin funny:lol: I wish you were coming to MofA trip you really would have us all cracking up... I mix 1/4 of teaspoon of liquid vicoden in my 2 oz of liquid tyenlol - I don't think I am going to OD - Heck I do it about once every 2 months - and I don't drink on a daily basis. I'll get you a QVC gift card...:tt2: Dancing you are really crazy... What's it been 2 weeks today since your surgery and shopping - heck you are back to normal :bigear: I can understand even if you can't spell - heck I can't spell either - I finally down loaded the spell ck but half the time I forget to us it and it doesn't correct things like - I mean to type they and I type the... I don't really give a rats butt about pples spelling or grammer (again I am terrible - I use cuz all the time 3 letters instead of 7 (because) I get tired of typing - too bad we just can't have one big conference call :rolleyes2: Ruby - I know I will get my arms done (well gotta see the cost) and I could use a body lift if I really wanted to look super hot and wear a bikini like our girl Karri - but I don't like pain - so who knows.. Kari Sorry about your Sis (hugs) - yes that would be super scary since your sis had it - My sis & I had the same calcification and had a biospy - so we both have the same little markers in our right boob Karri - I am going to have to go back - I missed your post on your injury - Baby Girl - do what the doc say and rest your injuried leg - this is your BAND MOTHER TALKING AND YOU BETTER LISTEN:tt1:

I LOVE "LOST" :laugh: Yep your band is working :rolleyes2: Here is something interesting that I just got on my email - can't vouch for it - but maybe of interest to some of you - Since I am on real food 99.9% of the time it doesn't really concern me - but for you who are still on liquids it you might want to research it in depth to find out if it's true - but it has the bariatric stamp on it - so I would tend to think it's true Important New Protein Quality Guidelines from Surgeons If you have been reading our updates, you know we have regularly advised that: - whey protein ISOLATE is better than whey protein concentrate - collagen-based products such as the test tube products get very low protein quality scores. Profect and New-Whey are calculated to have a PDCAAS of 5 or 6 out of a possible 100 (1). Historically, we have perhaps been the only ones saying this. Now the bariatric surgeons, dietitians, and nurses have just issued Protein Quality Guidelines, and everything they recommend is consistent with what we have said. While many many products do not meet the guidelines, you should know that for every single new guideline, unjury matches it 100%, fully, completely, exactly, and it always has. While the full set of guidelines should become available on the web soon, here are some of the key messages from the guidelines (2). 1. It’s not enough to know how much protein you are getting (how many grams). You also have to look at the amino acid profile to know about the QUALITY of the protein. (Some Proteins have almost zero value.) 2. The PDCAAS scoring is the superior way to rate protein quality (it looks at the levels of each indispensable amino acid). 3. Doctors, nurses and dietitians are advised to use Caution when recommending any type of collagen-based protein supplement (for example, the “test tube” products). So you too should use Caution when using products with hydrolyzed collagen. 4. Whey protein ISOLATE is better than whey protein concentrate. (Concentrate has more lactose, and gives you less protein.) 5. Recommended daily grams of (high quality) protein: 70 grams per day during weight loss and low calorie diets. The society issuing the guidelines is the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), and almost certainly your surgeon, dietitian and nurse are members. The guidelines were announced Monday June 16, 2008 at the ASMBS annual meeting. You can be sure that most of the products, those which don’t fully meet the guidelines, will try to make it sound like they do, or will try to say that the guidelines are not important. But here are 2 easy rules to remember: 1: “Caution on Collagen” (e.g. about 94% of the protein in the test tubes is collagen) 2: Whey Protein ISOLATE is better than Whey Protein Concentrate Here are three key messages from the guidelines: A. “The PDCAAS score indicates the overall quality of a protein.” B. “The PDCAAS score indicates the body’s ability to use that product for protein synthesis.” (Protein synthesis is necessary for making every cell in your body.) C. You can lose lean body mass (for example muscle and organs including the heart) even if you get the right number of grams of protein, if the protein doesn’t have each and every Indispensable Amino Acid IN THE RIGHT AMOUNT. In other words, even if you used 3 of the “test tubes” every day, you can still lose muscle and organ tissue because the test tubes have a deficiency in indispensable amino acids. (1) We hope this is helpful. If you have any questions, please do ask us. This is too important to your health. Healthy regards Martha and Jerome UNJURY ® Protein ~ Medical Quality Protein 1 800 517 5111 www.UNJURY.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. We calculated the PDCAAS (amino acid scores) of Profect and New-Whey based on assays of samples we sent to Covance, Inc, a leading independent laboratory, in 2007. To our knowledge, they have never disagreed with our calculation of their PDCAAS scores. 2. Preprint. L. Aills et al. Bariatric Nutrition: Suggestions for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases July/August Volume 4, Number 4S, 2008 (Official Journal of the Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery)

Jill - My doc say minimum 60 grms of protein daily - I can say in the beginning I always got it cuz of the protein shakes and adding protein powders to food - but now there are some days I am a little shy of that number - I would add unjury unflavored protien powders to me cooled coffee - but once you get to soft regular food it really isn't that hard to get the 60 grm of pt - 1 oz of meat = 7 grms protein - Little 3 oz can tuna has 18 pt grm - 4 oz of meat 28 grms - weight control oatmeal 6 - dannon lite & fit yogurt 5 grms pt - sf healthy choice fudgecicle 3grm so there is 60 - You just gotta start reading labels - alot of foods have protein in it... Hecl I love the Southbeach Protein Bars as a meal replacment (210 Calories:eek:) but they are big and have 19 grms pt - some times I will only eat half for a snack (105 calories - 9.5 grm pt) Also for you newly banded - please keep some fat in your diets (healthy fats) my hair dresser says this is the reason for hair loss - (I had a gf who didn't have surgery but just did medifast and she lost tons of hair) so this is why I agree it's the fat in our diets - I have cut my alot (I use to eat really high fat) but now healthy only - but I haven't lost any hair (thankfully cuz I have fine hair to begin with:lol:) Kimberly There are alot of pple here who can't exercise due to their phyiscal problems which are the result of being over weight.. Here are some links http://www.chairdancing.com/ http://www.livewellagewell.info/study/2007/12-ChairExercisesUGA113006.pdf http://www.howtodothings.com/health-and-fitness/a3243-how-to-do-chair-exercises.html [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Reach-Fitness-Exercises-Physically-Challenged/dp/B00000680E]http://www.amazon.com/Reach-Fitness-Exercises-Physically-Challenged/dp/B00000680E[/ame] (looks like you are going to have to cut/paste these links) Most docs will tell you that if you get the weight off - alot of your problems will lessen. I use WW type eating plan with my band, I am lucky I don't have any phyiscal limitation (well one knee gives me a little discomfort sometimes) The band is only a tool and isn't the magic cure to our food issue (which are mental not phyiscial ihmo) but it is a great tool to help make a hard job easier... Good luck on your journey