Big-D

Yoinks! Now that I'm restricted on what I can eat, I'm really noticing all the food commercials on TV and food references/stories on the news. Of course, with the news, January is all about dieting, so that explains the increased attention on food. I guess January could explain all the fast food deals. Let's see, I've seen commercials for pizza Hut, KFC, Sonic, Dairy Queen, Wendy's, McDonald's, Jack-in-the-Box. The KFC deal looks tempting. 2 pc meal on Monday and then a chicken fried steak on Wednesday, both just $1.99. Pizza Hut is pushing a new pizza that looks quite appetizing. Then the other day, the Paradise Bakery sent a full color catalog to the house of everything they offer. Man, all those baked goods and sandwiches look good. What's a man to do? Stay Strong, Danny

Actually, for me it is food porn. I enjoy it vicariously.

I had my surgery last Monday. I return to work this coming Monday.

I'm 4 days post-op and I was last told to only eat 2 oz. every hour, but I think that's too little. I mean, right now I'm drinking High Protein Slim-Fast 11 oz. drink, so am I violating the rules? I don't think I'm getting enough protein, so I think I need this.

I just started my phase II, liquid Protein diet. I had some cheese Soup. I feel fine, but did I violate some Liquid Protein laws? It has 9 grams of protein. That's good, right? No solid chunks of anything. It tasted good, but at this point, anything is good. Especially better than those high-Protein drinks.

That's AWESOME! I hope I'm as successful as you on my band anniversary.

I'd recommend Dr. Stephen Hamn, 972-981-8440. Obesity Surgery - LAP BAND - Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, - Texas - TX

I just got a call back from the PA. She was adamant that I only consume 2 oz., but then she said I could have some bit of a cracker with my Soup. Wouldn't any bit of a cracker take up a substantial portion of an oz. She also said the Protein drinks between the 3 meals, although she said those should be limited to 2 oz. Heck, for a 6'2" guy, 2 oz. is nothing. Believe me, I try to make each oz. last. Of course, she said I could have all the Water I want. She said that if I eat to much, the pouch will expand. I'm confused. How can some liquids, which I would think would go straight through if consumed slowly, cause the pouch to expand? How can there be a pouch? I mean, this is a lap band, not a bypass. No pouch was formed. My stomach was just belted. To me, I just have an upper and lower stomach. Maybe I'm being to semantical, but this phase just seems silly to me. Also, how can anyone get 70 grams of protein in 6 oz. I mean, an 8 oz. mix of one Protein Drink is like 20 grams. This doesn't make sense to me.

I read this in a book, so it must be true. To all mouth breathers: STOP breathing that way! Everyone should breathe through your nose. Why? Because that's how your body gets nitric oxide. Why is that important? Because nitric oxide will cleanse your body and improve circulation (plus other benefits). Couldn't you get nitric oxide by breathing through the mouth? No. Why? Because there are specialized cells in the nose that produce nitric oxide. Where did I read this? On pages 228 through 233 of the book, "YOU: Staying Young" by Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., ISBN-13: 978-0-7432-9256-6, ISBN-10: 0-7432-9256-1, October 2007 Read the book to know more as they make several claims as to why nitric oxide is important. Why am I sharing this with you? Because no one ever told me why breathing through the nose was important and since I know a lot of overweight people breathe through their mouth, like me, then this might be a good place to let you know about this important little tip that costs you nothing but some behavior modification. <breathing through the nose> -- Danny

Thanks for the tips.

Was your surgery at Presby?

I've eaten some yogurt (not a full 6 oz. cup, just about a third) since I first started this thread. I covered the Slim-Fast and put it back in the fridge. I'm hungry right now. I last ate about 30 minutes ago. I usually squelch the hunger with Water, so I'm not concerned that I want to eat right now.

I guess you can add me to this list.

Well, apparently I can't have Slim-Fast. I just spoke to the dietitian and she said that I can only have 2 oz. every hour so the Slim-Fast could only be consumed over a 5 1/2 hour time period. Even though it is 15 grams of Protein, she said it is a poor way to get the 70 grams that I need every day. She said I need to consume the high-protein powders with my meals. Boy that sucks! I tried 8 oz. of Scitec Nutrition's Protein Delite just prior to my surgery and could hardly stomach it. I had a sick sweet coconut smell. I mixed with Water, but half-way through I had to mix some milk with it. How can people do this??

It sounds like there is a lot of leeway with the dieting. My doc had me on phase I, the clear liquid phase for 3 days after surgery. Now I'm in phase II, which means I should be doing liquid protein. I don't think I'm getting enough protein, but I know I'm losing weight quickly. I too have a hard time with the taste of the high protein drinks. Phase II will last for 5 weeks, so after the first week of February, I'll graduate to phase III which basically means I'll be back to "normal" eating except my capacity to gorge will be greatly limited. By that time, I will have had my first fill. So that's what my doctor requires.

So you have been dieting before you surgery, right? It looks like you made a lot of progress. How long have you been dieting?

Well, I had potato soup tonight and had more than 2 oz. My wife got mad at me and said that I'm ruining this weight loss surgery. Yes, I had more than 2 oz. Maybe it was 6 oz. or 8 oz., but I don't think I've wrecked my surgery. I will be successful.

Taco Bell Cheesy Gordita Crunch! Looks yummy and deadly.

I forgot, I had a really bad sore throat. That lasted a day or two. Right now, I'm fine (3 days out).

Should Congress ban fast food commercials from TV just like tobacco and liquor ads have been?

Just saw a TV ad for Church's. 6 boneless chicken wings plus fries for $2.99 or 4 honey-butter biscuits and 9 pieces (legs & thighs) for $6.99 The commercial looked tempting, but I find Church's chicken to be nasty. I like Popeye's or KFC.

I had my surgery on Monday, December 31st, at Presby in Plano by Dr. Stephen Hamn. Looks like everything went well. Now my only concern is that the band not slip. On Thursday before the surgery, my official weight was 350 lbs. I'm 6'2", so I think that makes my BMI 44. I'll have to recheck that later. While I was at the hospital, I unofficially stepped on a scale in my hospital gown as opposed to the official weighing done in my street clothes, but it looks like I'm down about 5 lbs. True weight loss is probably 2 or 3 lbs., but I'll take anything extra. I've been on the Phase I diet since Friday. I guess 2 or 3 lbs. doesn't really count for anything since that could just be Water weight. The 15th will be the true weight-in. I guess the hard part is just beginning.

When did the good doc do yours? It looks like you're doing well based on your ticker.

I had so problem, except for some pain around my ribs. You'll hear things first before your eyes open. I just kept saying ow, my ribs. But it wasn't a sharp, hard pain. Just like I had bruised ribs. Now my ribs may not have been bruised. It just felt that way. Today, I'm 3 days post-op and I feel fine. Best of luck to you.

Good luck on your surgery. Remember to keep a positive attitude no matter what. I expected the surgery to go well and it did. Today, I removed the pain pump and I'm still doing good. All systems go!