luluc

Liquid Centrum works for me - No issues w/stomach & I have Crohns. Pretty fussy tummy & anything other than liquid or a shot results in cramping (pre / post band). The chewables as mentioned above are better than nothing - but require a higher dose. I say try a bunch - there are so many on the market now you can find something that covers your nutritional needs.

Try sugar free ice pops - I had a really bad sore throat after surgery & I think I went throught a box of 24 in 5 days. Sounds weird - but I also filled ice cube trays w/OJ - Crytal Lite Lemondae - Gatorade Blue Ice...but you can fill with whatever your taste is - set the cubes in a glass and let them melt to a slushy. Hope your feeling better soon!!!

Wow Carol - what a story, All the best for a Safe Surgery!!! & A Healthy Life ahead of You .

One of mine & DH's favorite restaurants is this little hidden Lebanese place downtown Dallas. Falafel is prepared as Harley Girl mentions w/a funky yogurt sauce. OMG, it's SO good. I can literally eat that and a bucket of hummus w/warm pita bread (pre-band of course:tongue:). I bought a box of powdered falafel - and never could get it the way it's been prepared at our little slice of heaven, I bet they deep fry it. Crunchy on the outside - yums inside... Never thought to try & bake - might be worth a shot..like cookie dough:smile:

It is yucky - but I got use to it:)

TravelGirl your first recipe reminds me of potato pancakes (loved sour cream on them.....YUM) Here's a recipe DH is making tonight while I hide on the back porch when I should be cleaning our pool...LOL Stuff Bell Peppers: 4 Whole Green Bell Peppers - Blanch in hot Water 1lb ground turkey 1 small onion diced 1 tbsp garlic 2 tbsp fresh parsley (could use dried) 1 can rotele - drained well 3 cups spaghetti squash - prepared as above (strands) 1 cup monterrey jack cheese (any cheese really) Brown onion, turkey, garlic - drain well...In large bowl combine all ingredients & stuff each pepper. Add a few extra sprinkles of cheese on top & bake @ 375 for 30minutes. There are a lot of change ups you can do with this...

Hello Amy!! I'm just a tad South from you & also have Dr Felts as my Dr (hubby too)....Self pay as well:) Welcome to the site - there's some great advise here, I wish I found this Before surgery - nonetheless it's helped me a bunch. All the best on your surgery:tongue: Lulu

I have been taking Centrum Liquid with a monthly B12 shot. My Dr also suggested I get some extra Calcium, so I might try those Viactiv Chewables.

TXF - Hope the race went well, you got a BEAUTIFUL day!!!! & because it's a beautiful day, hubby and I just did a quit run to the gym to get cardio only in. Then off to pool supply / home depot / etc... So aside from the 45min on the elliptical / I'll be cleaning the pool - chemicals & stuff....Then make a margarita and hang outside:):tt1:

My husband was banded 1 hour after me & we are extremely competitive. Our Dr "warned" us not to compare, hubby being 6'2 290lb - me 5'1 200lb day of surgery ... Knowing DH will definitely loose faster & he got to restriction 3 months before me. It was a bitter pill to take watching him drop 40lbs in 2months w/little effort, while I'm at the gym 2hrs a day & actually diet. Hubby really hasn't "dieted" the way I have - he pretty much eats/drinks whatever...but MUCH smaller. Me, I can't remeber the last time I had a piece of bread:) As of today - we are dead even in amount lost. Can't help but smile - but don't gloat, he knows how much I worked before I got to restriction. We compete, but it's in the "healthiest (if that's possible) way" possible... To compare is easy - but know that this is pretty individualized, no 2 journeys are the same,

Ha-made puff pastry myself last night, but used it as topping on homemade chicken pot pie. This DH's favorite comfort food, and he's got a bad cold - so..I had to indulge as well:rolleyes:

yesterday - b- 1/2c fiber one squares * 2%milk w/blueberries l- 2 hardboil eggs / 1/4c shredded lettece w/1tbsp ranch d- 1c chicken pot pie s- 1/2 bag 100 cal popcorn

I was self pay, $15k each (hubby banded w/me) covers a yr of fills and all aftercare appts. Would have loved if Ins was friendly - but when there's a will there's a way...good luck to you!!

Not to Hijack,- Green I had been missing you & just now read your story. Your in my thoughts & hope for a full recovery!!!! Lulu

Drinking 64oz of water a day has been the HARDEST thing for me to do. I can diet / exercise....but know there is now way I get anymore than 40/50oz of water in even on a hard workout day. I have about 8oz of coffee in the AM - then it's flavored water / crystal lite the rest of the day & I'm in the "Loo" all the time.

I lived on Egg Drop Soup for about 3wks. I started about a wk 1 post op and did not need to strain. I had a liquid to mushy, then soft food diet...so the soup/egg was never an issue. I pick up a quart of it at the Asian Restaurant next to my fill center each time I'm there for an adjustment.

You should be able to eat fresh Veggies / Fruits & Salads!!! To be honest, my Surgeon does not recommend soft foods (unless the day after a fill) at all. I enjoy all the above & often!!!

I"d say give it a try - Can't be in any worse of a spot than where your at now. Hopefully others will chime in - if they've been successful.

OK - Midwest Fried talk (grew up in NY). My husbands grandmother, lives in MO makes the BEST fried pork chops. My first visit I saw the family eating what looked like pieces of the fried batter. No it was fried Blood - Marrow. This is her "thing" and the family begs her to make it. I just couldn't bring myself to try & still can't....But she does make killer fried donuts. I know a lot of donut talk lately, but her's are just decadent.

Varries - but on avg I take in 900-1000 a day.

:cursing: sorry, PMS & hubby not around to catch the wrath. I still hate the reposting quotes - and answers underneath..I sometimes type as I speak, and I don't requote to get a point out live time. Long previous life of working from the hip - My dialogue is just that way (most days)...Just a personal preference. Again sorry

You'd think 15yrs in TX I'd get this crud under control in the Spring....:cursing:

I read Tommy O's statements - he speaks very much like my husband & we have very challenging conversations most days, but if he were like me 24/7 I'd be bored and long gone by now. He's a man a few words - but those few are zingers . I have a pet peeve when someone corrects my grammer too - when I"m loaded up on allergy meds...LOL getting loopy now sorry. I think a lot would join the debate as well if tolerance of opinion of "this" subject...didn't take us down a long history road of other "issues". BTW - I'm in the minority of friends & family on this subject, but we have such great conversations w/out so much name calling or hurt feelings. I think this debate is far suited over a cup of coffee / or wine (my preference) that over the net where typed words can have the ability to be misconstrued. Did I spell that right???

Sorta specifically left out "calling from God" - rather left it as a calling because of your correct assessment above. Not all of the Pro Life movement is religious affiliated, it is however a "perception" of the majority. I've mentioned previously - you see bibles held up to block a planned parenthood - not a science book....So those on the Pro Choice side, see that image - and it's a perception of your belief / "calling" that you want to "inform"/preach/impose" yours views onto others. Again totally my view on why many vote the way they do - and don't share here on this thread...Got fog brain (cedar fever allergies) so I may not be all there in my thoughts...:cursing: