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Be careful when trying jerky for the first time after banding. May be something that does not work for you. I can eat the dryer king but not the nuggets. I usually by Jack Links brand in Walmart in the small 1.8oz snack bags. Love the Teriyaki. Also, I like Grateful Harvest organic. I tends to have less sodium. It's the larger bags but I just weigh and put in snack bags.

Janet...I have read more posts this past week about bandsters being lured by Halloween candy. Maybe the temptations experienced during this Halloween will kick start our will power and more prepare us to stay away from the "hellish" treats during the upcoming holidays? We all feel so bad when we give into our urges. Guess we can walk away from it feeling negative or we can turn it around feel positive about doing a little planning ahead for the holidays. Looks like you got right back on the horse yesterday. I admire that. Heading in to see the doc for my monthly visit this afternoon. I have been so lucky that our lapband program includes 5 yrs of follow up after surgery. My doc is very stern with his diet plan (maybe too much so sometimes) but he always takes the time to really listen and hoping he will be today when I tell him I will be (and have been) bending the rules and including 2 Snacks a day. They have been healthy (beef Jerky, Greek yogurt, 100 cal popcorn, 140 cal Protein bars, etc). He preaches 1/2 cup 3xdaily at each and every visit. Well, not working for me. I have dropped 4-5lbs below my goal and don't want to be there. We'll see what he says. Have a good day everyone. I am doing my favorite thing in the world today. Organizing closets. Sound sick? It's a task that has always been a stress reliever for me (better than sitting down with a buttered popcorn?).

Anyone at all know the answer to this?????????????

I understand how you guys feel about getting some attention. Yes, you want acknowledgment sometimes for your weight loss but there tend to be TOOOOOOOOOOO many questions that follow. And...I was getting this one 40# from goal..."Gee, you really don't want to lose any more do you". WTH? My answer would be that myself and my surgeon set a goal that was good for both of us and I'm working towards it. I still get that statement from people. Heard it three times today. Believe me, I am NOT too thin. My BMI is NORMAL...right in the middle of where it should be. These types of comments drive me crazy. Went to see my nutritionist today. Wanted some ideas from her. If my doc insists on only 1/2c 3x/day, how am I going to stay at goal and not drop. She suggested that I throw 2 healthy, higher cal Snacks in...like my Greek yogurt and soynuts that I eat for Breakfast. I see my doc tomorrow and will have to let him know that's what it is going to take for me to stay in the normal range. He's not going to like the extra snacks idea but I've already dropped down 5lbs from my goal and want to get back there. Didn't help that we had a tummy bug around here for over a week. No vomiting but a sore stomach. I know this will all work out when I figure out how many cals. I need to stay at goal. My doc says 600 for a woman and 800 for a man. I am waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too active to be at 600. Better get back to busy. We JUST started our corn harvest as we speak. About 6 weeks behind schedule. Hope our beautiful Indian Summer holds out for awhile...no rain...no snow. Cold weather doesn't affect the harvest but hard for the guys to work in it. Everyone have a good evening. Thanks for listening to me ramble.

I need to put this in my signature again...I lost 54 b/4 surgery on the six mo.medically supervised diet and the rest after surgery. Took me 11 months which is pretty normal IMO. Skin is good. Not much lower tummy skin, arms are good, no hanging chin. Upper thighs are a little saggy. I have had energy all throughout this process and even had surgery a month ago and popped right back. No hair loss. I have pretty good restriction but have never been too tight. I get all my nutrients EVERY day. I feel wonderful.

Wishing you all the best tomorrow, Katydid. I had my band surgery in June with a repair of haital hernia that doc said was larger than a baseball. Could not even tell they did anything. Had another surgery 9/30 where they repaired over ten hernias. Actually, it wasn't too bad. Just inconvenience. Did not really feel the seven incisions they made. Just could tell when they were healing cuz the mesh screens would pull. I am hoping for you as easy as a recovery as I had. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow as I am sure the rest of the people here will be. God Bless:tt1:

Long...hope you will be feeling better soon. I have noticed that any time I get some kind of a virus, be it a cold or just achey/fever, I am unable to eat much. I don't know why but just the way it is. Had a hard time getting my food in for a couple of days after my flu & pneumonia shots also. Hope everyone has a good evening. Us tired old farmers are heading to bed. I think we are about shot.

Nope...didn't lose all after surgery. I worked really hard during my 6 mo. medically supervised diet (required by ins. co.) and lost 54# b/4 and the remaining #'s after. I feel wonderful and 20 yrs younger.

Be patient. I know the feeling. I have restriction after 2 fills. Doc put in 3cc's at time of surgery. I now have a total of 6cc's and have restriction in my 14cc band. Make sure you drink plenty of Water and get your second fill as soon as you doc allows. Those first months are difficult until you get to the place you want to be.

Here's a great one Pot roast 3-4lb chuck or top round roast 2tsp. minced garlic 1 16 oz low fat Italian dressing 32 oz jar pepperoncini peppers, sliced...do not drain juice Just throw everything on top of roast in CP and cook on medium for about 6 hours. Tortilla Soup 4 boneless chicken breasts, diced (raw) 2 14.5oz chicken broth 2 14.5oz stewed tomatoes 1 cup salsa 1Tbsp ground cumin 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro Combine everything in CP except cilantro. Cook on low for 8 hours. Top with cilantro. Can also top with LF sour cream and a few baked tortilla chips Greek Chicken 1lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs 2Tbsp virgin olive oil 1 onion chopped 1tsp lemon pepper 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 tsp dried oregano Cook all ingredients in CP on low for 6-8 hours. Remove chicken just b/4 ready to serve and shred with fork. Return chicken to sauce and stir. Can be served alone or on a pita. Indonesian Turkey 3 turkey breast tenderloins (about 2lbs) 1 1/2Tbsp fresh grated ginger 1Tbsp sesame oil 1/2 cup Peanut Butter Sprinkle all ingredients over turkey. Cook on low-med. for 7 hours. Remove turkey. Stir in peanut butter. If sauce looks too thick, add 1/3 cup Water. Slice turkey and drizzle with sauce. Fruited Pork 2lbs boneless pork loin roast 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit 1/2 cup apple juice Place pork in CP. Sprinkle with salt and papper. Top with fruit. Pour apple juice over top. Cook on low for six hours. One more Spanish Chicken 8 skinless boneless chicken thighs 2Tbsp virgin olive oil 3/4 cup red wine vinegar 2/3 cup lite soy sauce 1tsp garlic powder 4 6" cinnamon sticks Pour all ingredients over chicken. Break cinnamon sticks into several pieces and distribute among chicken thighs. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.

Would probably be a good idea to go back to your doc and insist on further testing. Maybe a gallbladder ultrasound and function test? Doesn't sound normal to me.

JJ...hopefully it well be the last time they have to go in and drain. In the long run it will all be worth it. It's a loooong process from what I hear. Any surgery takes a lot out of a person for awhile. What you have done is MAJOR and takes a lot of patience. Here's to fast healing!!!!!!!

I have never done the pics, Donna. Not sure why but not one photo during weight loss. I do have a pic of b/4 I started but none at goal. Not sure if it's my thing to post them.

Thanks, Donna. I've done little celebrations all along the way. Have been having fun filling the closet with clothes (think I am done now). Was so much fun NOT being in the Plus size depts. I had permanent eyeliner applied and also had eyelash extensions. Woohoo.

Happy Halloween to everyone. I have a fun night planned. I have a date with my 27 yr old son. My DH and I aways would dress up and go out for Halloween. We always dressed so no one would know who we were. We would start out by going to friend's homes. Just walk in, grab a beer out of there frig and just sit...say nothing..stay about 1/2 and move onto another house. This year DH does not want to go out (way too much field work to do) so asked my son if I could go with him. He always has the BEST costumes. He ordered a wig, beard, etc., wearing a trench coat and going to be a stalker. I went online and ordered huge boobs, huge butt and went to Salvation Army thrift store and found a sleezy dress. Ordered a wig on line...Suzanne Summer hair. Have all kinds of glitzy jewelry, rhinstone glasses and head band. We are going to dance, rage and just have a good time. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!!!! Happy I am feeling better today so I can go through with my plans. Had a flu and also a pneumonia shots on Wed. They kicked my butt. My arm was so so I just winced when I moved it. I got feverish and achey all day yesterday. Anyway, today is good.

Hey Donna.. I remember those chocolate cravings. I used to always have a large bag of M&M's or Rolos in my drawer at work. Once I hit menopause (at the age of 38) all my sweet cravings went out the window. I think I would have been three times my size at the beginning of this LB journey if I would have still had those cravings. I consider myself luck not to have them. :teeth_smile: But, if you feel you really want some, have a couple and get rid of the candy after tonight.

I miss running. I admire those that can. Was on the track team in college but started to develop blood clots with my first pregnancy and they continued for years. Do walk 4-5 miles a day though. I have incorporated two Snacks into my daily food plan even though it is against my doc's rules. I like where I am at with my weight, don't want to go any lower. Jachut...thanks for your input. I need to lighten up a bit on being so stidgent (sp?) with following my doc's food plan to get more cals in.

Hit goal a few weeks ago. Really struggling with switching up my diet to maintenance. My doc says 1/2 cup 3x daily...no Snacks. That just isn't going to work with me. I stuck to that plan during weight loss but I just feel like I won't get enough calories in to maintain. I guess the way I feel about the only 3xdaily plan is: it's my body and if I can maintain my weight and still have snacks besides my meals, I will introduce at least one if not two snacks throughout the day (snacks staying within the 1/2 cup amount). Just wanted to start a thread to ask persons that are now maintaining their weight to give me a view of what your daily nutrition plan is. Thanks in advance for the the time taken to help.

I find it in the same section as regular yogurt. I'm hooked on it and always make sure I have enough in the house. I live 65 miles from Walmart so have to stock up for at least two weeks at a time. I believe it has a longer shelf life than the regular yogurt. The brand name is Oikos. Takes just a little getting used to...kind of tangy but find a syrup you like with the soynuts (if you choose to). I love, love, love it with banana, English Toffee or Caramel syrups.

Thanks for the input, Janet and thanks for the congrats. I am not worried about gaining at all. I am worried about losing any more with the strict diet (600--800 cals) that my doc insists on. I don't know how I can get any more cals in with eating only 1/2 cup meals 3xdaily. It just does not make sense to me. I know if I eat 800 I will still lose and that's not what I'm after. Maintenance IS scary and, to tell you the truth, I am not willing to live with such a restrictive diet the rest of my life. I am going to start adding one more daily snack. I see my doc on Nov 4 and we are going to have a discussion on how he expects me to maintain a healthy weight with so little to eat. Thanks, also, for documenting what you eat. Gives me an idea what to throw into my diet to help keep me at the weight I should be.:thumbup:

Toosy...I would definitely call my surgeon to let him know what is going on. He will most likely tell you to take some form of liquid (Tylenol) cold meds to cut down on the coughing, etc. Hope you feel better soon and welcome to the board

Hey Janet....restriction has been really good for me the last few weeks. B/4 that I was really suffering with hunger. Fickle band! I thought for sure I would need a fill at my Nov 4 appt but just going to appreciate what I have. I take my time eating but have never pb'd and have only been stuck on deli meats 2x. That's it. My tummy must not like the consistency of deli meat even after chewed to liquid. Would rather be sitting where I am right now with restriction than getting a fill b/4 our 2 mo trip and suffering with being tight. I will see how it is when we get back to my doc again after vacation. I document what I eat and am a very active person. Exercise, walk, etc. Can you give me a clue as to how many (approx) calories you take in a day? I am kind of hanging at goal (3lbs lower than goal because of virus) and want to stay at goal. I get between 3-3.5 Protein at a meal and usually the rest is veggies or fruit to meet my 4oz per meal. I do have one snack a day (100 cal popcorn or other 100 cal snack). I was told my the doc's nurse that I should be consuming 600 cals at day. I think that sounds terribly low. I guess I will just have to play with it all and see where I level out.

Wow, Lizalee, Look at you go on that weight loss. A huge congrats. You must be so proud of yourself. I understand the insulation layer thing. You most likely have been having similar weather to us in MN. We've had a chilly fall. Sounds like today will be up near 70. Hard to know what to wear. Wear a sweater in the morning and a Tshirt in the afternoon.

Yesterday B - Greek yogurt w/SF syrup and a few bits of Kashi cereal L - Grilled chicken salad 1 cup S - SF Jello D - 3.5 oz Salmon w/mild picked bell peppers S - 100 cal bag popcorn

Denise...I get mine at Walmart. They don't seem to stock much of it but I get enough for two weeks at a time. I like the plain. They also have vanilla but I find there's not much taste to it and higher in cals. It is so nice and thick and yet easy to get down in the morning. Seems to hold me till noon. Like I said, I put SF syrup and soynuts in it and sometimes Kashi Cereal. There's 90 cals in the plain, 15g protien (more when I add the nuts) and 6g carbs. I see from other posts that you are struggling with acid reflux at night and not much restriction during the day. The night time reflux thing is worrisome. That would be so aggravating! Hope you find out what it going on with your band soon so you can feel at ease again.