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Long...you should be able to make this in the crock pot. Just add all the ingredients and instead of the Water, cover vegies and sausage with skim milk. Once all is tender, add the Potato Buds. I know your sisters are a spur in your saddle. Maybe they are just so self-absorbed that they think of no one else. Try not to think of it as anything that you did or that they intentionally do the things to upset you. Let them live in their own little world. When the time comes and it is their turn for comfort and support, be there for them like you would for anyone else. Maybe they will learn from your actions. Don't know what else to tell you except to try and not see this as YOUR fault. It is them that are acting uncaring and unloving at this time. See what the family visit brings and how it goes. Keep us informed and "vent" if you feel the need. I feel for you and understand where you are coming from with this. Keep up the exercises. You are doing great. DH's aunt had both knees replaced at once about ten years ago. She went to PT right after surgery but when it was time to do them at home, she quit any and all exercise. Her knees are now a constant pain for her and she is always complaining that they have never worked.

Yep, was me that was making it on Sunday, I think. Not a "skinny" soup but not too terrible for calories either. We have a local supermarket that makes their own Italian brats. I stick six on them in the oven at 350 degrees and (on a cookie sheet) and bake for 35 minutes. When cool, cut lengthwise, then again and then dice. You could use any kind of Italian sausage...even ground. I always rinse a bit to get the fat off. 3 cups diced celery 3 cups diced carrots 8 medium diced potatoes 1 medium diced onion Cover with cold Water and boil all till tender and pour off 1/2 the water remaining. Add enough skim milk to cover veggies, add diced sausage and 2 Tbls of chicken broth mix and 1 tbls minced garlic (optional). Heat till just b/4 boiling. Make sure to stir often as the milk may scorch on the bottom of pan. When hot, add 1/2 - 3/4 cup Potato Buds to thicken a bit. Enjoy! Aren't you the lucky one to have your dinner delivered again. Reminds me of when I used to deliver "Meals on Wheels" each day when I worked in town.

Thanks for that, Janet. As I said above, sometimes I feel like I don't have a lot to add as I do have a different way of eating than most. I do get frustrated, I do have to be very diligent in watching that I get what I need. DH and DS are my biggest supporters when I get frustrated. One good thing. My band works perfectly for me. Nothing gets stuck (99.9 percent of the time) and I feel wonderful. I guess this is just the way it is going to be for me for a while. I do feel my weight will come back on and I can deal with a "normal" maintence program.

I hope that my above post did not come off as "braggy" that I can eat at this point in my maintenence. I guess I was just trying to make a point that sliders go through the band really fast and hard proteins can last for hours...even proteins like soynuts. Hope I did not confuse anyone.

Hey Phyll...do you ever make your own flavored coffees at home? 16 oz dark roast 1- 25 cal packet of Swiss Miss lite 2 tbls Torini or DaVinci SF syrup If you like...2 tbls FF Cool Whip for an added 15 cals.

Orchardgrl...welcome and congrats on your 36lb loss. I know where you are coming from on being tired of not feeling well. I was beside myself when I could not walk 50 yards without panting and not being able to catch my breath. Keep up the good work and Celebrate your accomplishments. This thread is a great place to ask questions, check in with others, celebrate your steps toward a healthier you. We make friends easily and include lapbanders in all stages of their journeys.

Great...sorry to hear about your sick babies. My dog has been off his food for about a week and a half. I ran out of his food the last weekend at the lake and DH forgot to bring some with him. We used a different brand of food for two mornings and he got constipated and this morning is the first day he has eaten his regular food. I have been supplementing by giving him 2 cups of my Fiber One cereal a day. It did the trick. Good luck with your appt. tomorrow. Sounds like that knew is working pretty good. Hope you can figure out what's going on with the dizziness issues. Bet they will want to look into it...and if not...insist they do some blood work.

Great...thanks for the info on the scale. Mine has a lithium battery and think the next time I am in town will buy one to replace it and see what it does. I try to stay ahead of this game and, as you know, don't want to lose. My scale was up 5lbs b/4 the weekend and did not pay as much attention to my intake. Then it went all the way down again which is not a good thing. OK...so I forever feel like I don't have a lot of advice to give cuz of my situation. But, I do have my perspective on what I think of fills and the band. I believe Janet and Great are correct in having to do a lot of the work ourselves. You never want to be too tight and it's OK to be hungry. Just get the good ole' hard protein in first, then whatever else your tummy can hold but make good/healthy food choices. Since losing that 20lbs I DID NOT WANT TO LOSE...I have been able to test my band and play with certain foods and food consistancies. I make sure to stay within the 1 - 1 1/2 cup portions cuz do not want to stretch my pouch. I know that in able to maintain my weight I need to eat a certain amount of calories a day. (Between 2500-3000 or more). I know, it doesn't seem fair and there are days I would rather not have the chore of getting them all in. I am at the point where I almost dread eating hard proteins because they keep me full for too long and I cannot get in the necessary calories that I need. I like to eat "real" food...have never ever relied on protien drinks. But, when I am really trying to maintain or gain, I eat high protein fiber cereal, protein bars, fruit sauces, more slider foods, etc. On those days I am HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. My point in sharing all this is that if you follow the band rules, that band really does work for you. By putting 4oz of hard protien in my stomach, I can stay full up to 4 hours or more and I can hardly thing about putting anything in the tummy during that time period. I notice with slider foods, 20 min. is the max. Just goes to prove the band is a huge help. As far as the head hunger goes. I am a believer that having an alternative activity to take the mind off of food is a biggy. Don't let yourself get too hungry and then binge once you get in the door from work. Carry something with you. Even if it's just a small handful of soynuts, a couple of peices of jerky to eat while you are on the way home. Plan your meals in the morning or the night b/4 and stick to your plan the best you can. Stop eating when that planned meal is finished. It might just take your tummy time for the brain to tell you that you are full. If you are still hungry after eating 4oz of protein and some veggies and continue to be hungry during that hour after, maybe it is time for a small fill. Just my two cents worth. I have a 14cc band and only have had two small fills. .5cc the first and 1cc with the second fill.

I guess the reason I asked is to see if anyone else has touble with their digitals jumping around like that. 4-5lbs. My regular scale (non-digital) does not do that. Maybe I should put in a new battery and see if that is what the problem is. No sense in even using a scale like that if that is the way it is going to be. Disappointed with it. I gain that 4-5lbs and get my hopes up, it's down 4lbs the next day and then back again.

Thanks for the recipe. Sounds great and by the looks of it has plenty of lean protein when using fat free option.

Eva...good going on the exercise. Try to eat a protien bar (200 cals or less) either b/4 or after your routine. But, just make sure this is within your caloric intake for the day. An apple or grapes could do the trick for you also. I always eat b/4 my workouts and feel it helps with those exhausting dips. To answer your ? on the farming...Harvest is at a standstill right now because of all the snow we got. Expecting more snow tonight. I imagine it will be the weekend b/4 we can make a stab at getting the rest of the soybeans out. We have about 200 acres sitting out there. Every day is crucial as the bean pods will burst after freezing and then thawing. We have about 1400 acres of soybeans and 1400 acres of corn which all of it is still in the field. Haven't made my decision on the job yet. Waiting for owners to come back with what they are thinking for pay/benefits, etc. Starting date would be around Dec. 1. New shop opening up with four owners. I would coordinate all appts, do books, etc. Just really not sure about that drive. As I was white knuckling it to town on Sat morning on glare ice, I was doing some thinking on what a typical drive would be like from Oct 1 thru April 30....most of those days would be a challenge on the roads. I am just being patient. I do volunteer three days a week at our hospital between the end of Oct and end of July. Problem is...lately they have been getting college kids in for internships and they have been doing what I do. I like to be busy and if they cannot find enough to occupy my time, I'm bored. I have a ? for all of you. What kind of scales to you all have. I am not an obsessive weigher (about once a week). I have owned a Health O Meter scale since 1994 and it is ALWAYS right to the lb. with doc's scale and stays pretty consistent. DH is very health conscious and wanted a scale in his bathroom. Put that one in his and purchased a Taylor digital for myself. (This scale was quite expensive and promoted by The Biggest Loser). Anyway, was pretty consistent the first few months and now I notice it jumping all over the place. Up 4lbs, down 4lbs. Anyone notice this with their digitals? Does this maybe mean the battery needs to be replaced. I have had the scale since March and have used it for all my weigh-ins since then. Hubby's scale stays and my weight does not jump around on that. Anyone else experience this? Julie....are you back yet? How was your trip? 1Day...sorry you are experiencing stress and set-backs in your way of eating. Really do listen to Janet about journaling food, exercise, etc. Jump back into your original way of eating as you did right after you got your band. I know it's not easy but you will feel so much better all around if you do it now. Make yourself proud. We know you can do it! Got up at 5:30am...did not look to see what temp was. But, still 21 degrees at 9:30am. I would never wish for my "fat insulation" back but wish I could find automatic warming pants and vest. I do wear Under Armour and that seems to help. At least the sun is shining and that always makes a person feel better. I am usually a happy person but when we get 10 or more days with no sun, it affects me. Sent all the guys off with lunch boxes today so spending the day in the house alone today. (Fine with me). Guys are again tiling and digging. (Custom job) and will not see them til a little after dark as they had to travel for today's job. Laundry, floor scrubbing, ironing, get some play in with my 100lb black lab (my baby boy) and that's about it for plans today. Oh, and a friend wants me to set up a 30 day menu for her. Ugh, don't really want to do it but promised. She is major diabetic and has gained about 100lbs in the last couple of years. She works with a nutritionist and I told her that I think that is the route she should go cuz she would need more carbs than I would have eaten in the weightloss stage. I will provide her with a 30 typical plan that I used during my weightloss. Think I will sign off on it and state that I am not responsible for any lows she might experience (kidding). I feel bad for her but think she needs to strictly work with her nut and go from there. Time to throw the ball and play my "Look for the Snakes Game" with my dog. Actually, no snakes this time of the year but it keeps him interested on our walks around the farm. You all have a great day!

Ruby....looks to me like you kind of answered your own question without knowing it. You want to go back to what you were doing in the beginning. Go back to what you were doing at the beginning of this journey. You stated that it worked for you. Give it a good try. Do you journal your food? It really does make a difference to write down everything you eat. Allow yourself only so many calories per day and when you eat your alloted amount...you're done for the day. Weigh and measure what you eat. Start with your hard protein first then fruits or veggies. Did your doc provide you with an eating plan that he expected to you follow? If so, stick to it the best you can. Get out and walk or join a gym if you haven't already. Moving is as important as your food intake. Come back here for support and encouragement. Check in daily with what you are eating, how you are doing, etc. Wishing you the best!

Great solid protein ideas. I have never gotten into the protein shakes and solid protein keeps a person feeling full for sometimes up to 4-5hours. I am on the run a lot and sometimes traveling at meal time. I carry "meals" and snacks in my truck for times like that. Worlds Kitchen beef jerky, dried edamame, dried soynuts, Pure Protein Bars and Myoplex Lite protien bars. The bars are a quick fit for getting protein but, beware, do not keep a person full for very long. I eat these for breakfast when I am tight. The soynuts and edamame fill me up just like solid protein does.

Was wondering what was going on with you, Meredith. Sounds like you need some rest and down time. Don't know how you do your schedule. How is your band reacting to you not feeling well? Mine usually tightens (especially with any sinus drainage) when I don't feel well or am stressed. I see you are 54lbs down. Way to go:thumbup: Take care of yourself!

Oh Joanne...so nice to see you posting again and thanks for responding to my PM. I was missing you and hoping that things were good for you. If I would have know you were up my way, I would have met you somewhere. Maybe next time. Sounds like you have had quite the busy summer and fall. I admire your talent for quilting. Wonderful photos you shared with us. Baby Josiah is sooooooo cute and I bet Jack was happy to have momma back after your long trip. Pappa, too, I bet! So nice to hear from you and congrats on your continued wieght loss. You always had so much to add to our threads. I hope once things slow down for you a bit that you can participate on LBT again on a regular basis. (And, sorry for the talky-talky....it was most likely me rambling about every day stuff). Phyll...5 blocks??????????? Woohoo!!!!! I love outlets. I'm a scrounger and love a good clearance rack. Again, have a safe trip. Laura...thanks for the update and the photos. That Nels is just the cutest! When you are up to it, give me a call and we will discuss FL. No pressure...we still have time or I can just take care of everything after we put our heads together on where to go and clear it with the girls that are going. I don't want you to have any more to handle than you already have. Sending hugs! Lori...keep plugging away. You'll be catching up to Phyll b/4 you know it. Just be patient and listen to others on the walker thing. Better safe than sorry. Janet....great advice as always to the new people. That's why we love ya! Dreary and cold here today. Put a stop to the bean harvest. Guys are out tiling today. At least they can continue to work. Cold and MUDDY when they come in. On my 5th load of oily/muddy jeans, jackets, etc. for today. Dirty, dirty farmers!

Great....sounds like it is a good thing that DH is there to keep you in line. Take care and enjoy your dinner. How nice of your friend!

I PM'd her also and hoping she pops back in on LBT.:sad:

BTW...my 4lb gain that I was soooo proud of was gone as of this morning. Lost about a pound a day this week. Think it's the harvest and getting my fall house cleaning done. Thinking that my body is just set at this weight and that's the way it is going to be.

Eva...nope, do not make my own jerky. I order it from Amazon.com along with my soynuts and edamame. I get free shipping with most items from them. The brand name on the jerky is "World Kitchens" and they have many different flavors. Walmart does carry it from time to time but gets frustrating trying to find it. I always have a bag in my truck as I eat every 2 hours. Don't worry if you are losing some hair. It is just a phase that most of us go through. I have extremely thick hair and it was somewhat of a blessing. DH commented many times during that stage that he liked my hair better. I did take Biotin and Vit E from day one. I still take it and notice that for the first time in my life my nails are hard. Also, make sure to get some "good" fats in your daily intake. I think it for sure helps. Thanks for the sunshine! Supposed to snow during the night again. Weather station says we can expect up to 4'. Don't mind it so much...but, it slows down our harvest and drags it out to when it is unbearably cold for all of us. I've been missing our friend JoAnne....has anyone heard anything from her?

Fire away with any questions you might have. There are quite a few that post on this thread that are a few years out and have vast experience with the band. Everyone has certain fears and concerns to begin with. Write down a list of questions, bring them here and we will all try to answer them for you. Welcome and good luck!:thumbup:

Oh Janet...so sorry about the intrusion. Pretty scary. Sounds like you are doing what you need to to be safe. When DS was 23 yrs old and lived in Daytona Beach he was robbed in the middle of the night. Thank God he did not wake up while intruders were there. He lived in townhome community. Had a buddy from Olando come and stay with him for the weekend. They went to a party at one of the townhomes. He went home b/4 buddy did and threw his keys and wallet on the foyer table. He left his door unlocked so buddy could get in. Buddy also threw his wallet and keys on table but forgot to lock door behind him. They got up in the morning and DS's three computers and A LOT of electronic equipment was gone. He is a flight instructor and taught ground school out of his office at home. They even walked off with his 42 inch computer screen, tv, wallets, etc. Canceled all his cards and notified bank. He has intelligence job with Air Gaurds and had to scramble to get new ID's, etc. Anyway, him and buddy go to mall and get new wallets. They both liked the same one so bought two alike. Three weekends later, buddy is back from Orlando to spend the weekend. When he leaves on that Sunday night, he grabbed the wrong wallet on his way out the door. DS decides to order a pizza. Pizza man comes to door and DS pulls out Visa card...man asks for photo ID. Pulls it out and notices it's buddy's ID. Pizza man immediately calls police. DS gets cuffed for three hours and taken to station. They would not believe his story about the wrong wallet cuz police had stolen wallet for his name and buddys name in their system and buddy had his wallet so he could not prove who he was. Long story short....Took him three hours to get ahold of buddy. Buddy had to drive all the way back to Daytona b/4 they would let him go. During that three hour period, he get telling the cops that his cuffs were extremely tight and asked if they would loosen. Nope. He had nerve damage in his hand and wrist for over a year. Dr.s told him to press charges if it did not get better. This all over not locking that door one night. Poor kid. Point is....do what's possible to stay safe, Janet. Snow still on the ground. Another bean harvest day. Potato sausage Soup cooking on the stove. pumpkin pies in the oven. Had a great time at wedding yesterday. Danced my butt off with DH. I was the DD and drank Water. DH likes his beers but is not usually one to over do. Long wait between happy hour, reception and dance and buddys kept buying rounds. It made a dancer out of him. Even did the chicken dance and danced with the bride to "I Knew the Bride When She Used To Rock and Roll". Fun was had by all. Bummer it didn't get more than 34 degrees yesterday. They canceled all the outdoor photos. She chose Oct because of our beautiful Indian Summers. Go figure! Arlene...happy you are getting some relief from your pain. Wish you did not have to experience this. No quick fix. Wish you could get some definate answers. Cheri...Sounds like you had a wonderful time at your events. Always fun hooking up with old friends/acquaitences. I had a few classmates and friends from my hometown at the wedding yesterday. Had a few silly moments and lots of giggles. Wish I was in the RV with Phyll and Earl heading south! Everyone have a great Sunday!

OMG...your blog page was sooooo hilarious. I, too, had lost some weight b/4 intitial visit (13lbs) and was so wishing I hadn't. I had to be BMI of 40 with comorbidities to qualify for ins. coverage for WLS. Lots of water on the way to appt and stuffed my face for 2 weeks b/4 for a amazingly small weight gain of just 1/2lb. The nurse let me "scrunch" a couple of inches when measuring my height. Love that girl!:thumbup:

Laura...all I can say is hang in there. Sounds like your dad is accepting what is coming his way and ready to hit it head on. Way to go Laura's Dad!!!!!!! I know what you are talking about with not keeping your mind on task. When DS was in Iraq and my only other DS was getting ready to deploy at the same time, I would hop from one thing to the other. I don't think I carried on a reasonable converstation for a couple of years. I would just flit from one thing to another. Just be there as much as you can for your parents and live your life the best you can in the mean time. I have been thinking of you all week and how you must be feeling. Good goin' on the weight loss. Monrin' to everyone else. Busy day. Have guys out fixing drain tile intakes again and feed them at 1pm. Have a 3pm wedding, reception and dance at 8pm. Looking forward to it. Got a couple of inches of snow last night and this morning. Had to drive the 15 miles to town on glaze ice roads. White nuckled it. You all have a great weekend!

Have never been an envious person except when I see a family that is really close and are there for each other and just plain have a need to be with each other. Neither DH nor I had that growing up. We broke the pattern on purpose. Our kids actually like spending time with us and each other and for that I am thankful. Try not to let your sister's actions bring you down. Just from your posts the last year or so, I can tell your immediate family seems to be close. You did a good job with that and be proud!

Awwww....give me your sis's #....she needs a talking to! LOL That Sat. should work for me and I don't mind driving out that far. We could do a couple of hour lunch if that would work for you. Just let me know what you think. I'm pretty sure I'm free the rest of that weekend (alot depends on the weather). Really excited to finally get to meet you. Take care, relax and get waited on!