chica

I was just eating sf/ff cheesecake flavored pudding (which tastes NOTHING like cheesecake) made with unflavored Unjury protein powder, and thinking it was not very good. Then I saw this recipe and decided to throw some cinnamon on top of that pudding. I closed my eyes and could swear I was eating very smooth rice pudding (I never add raisins to mine), and all of a sudden, this was very tasty pudding! :smile2:

Quick question... is a can of tuna or a can of chicken one serving? Not banded yet, but trying to get ideas...

Hi Lattedah, It's interesting to see what you're going through since I hope to be in that boat shortly and we're sharing the good doctor... I didn't know they recommended unjury, but it just so happens I've been using it. I bought some samples on their website ($1.50 each I think) and here's my take: I like my oatmeal/soup/whatever very hot, and that doesn't work well with Protein powder (it clumps), so I won't use it there. I tried the unflavored in some sf/ff pudding, and wasn't thrilled, but the vanilla worked ok in there. For Protein shakes, the chocolate is really pretty good blended with milk, a little ice, and a little bit of sugar-free syrup (like DaVinci's chocolate or Kahlua flavor). So good, in fact, my 8-y.o. son likes to share it! I've been having a shake for breakfast every day, working my way up to the liquid diet. I, however, armed with the knowledge of your experience, will be sure not to bring up the diet too early in the game. Surely one week is sufficient! :biggrin:

Here's an easy one (sorry I don't have nutritional stats though): Place catfish fillets in baking dish, squeeze on juice of 1-2 limes, sprinkle liberally with garlic powder and Zatarain's creole seasoning (it's the best!), and bake at 400F for about 20-25 minutes. Be sure to spoon juices over each fillet when serving to make it extra tasty and moist. Even friends who don't understand why you wouldn't just fry catfish love this one!

I've used the vanilla unjury in pudding, haven't tried the unflavored yet, but I do enjoy the chocolate blended with 1/2c ice and 1 cup 1% milk (can't go skim), and then add a little extra flavor like chocolate or Kahlua sugar free DaVinci syrup. It's so good that my 8-yr old likes to share it and wants to know when I'll make him his own chocolate shake! :thumbup: I make it in a personal blender, put the top on with a straw in it, and have never even noticed what it smelled like. Tyme4change, If you're still looking around for Protein mixes, check out SI03 INC. which is the website for Syntrax protein. If you email them, you can ask for samples of flavors (no charge!) you'd like to try before you buy a big container. I'm currently waiting on samples of chocolate truffle, Cappuccino, and cherry. Of course, when it comes to buying the actual product, it's probably cheaper to shop around on the 'net...

Gotta say, Chubbychecker, I personally hope NOT to be found psychologically strong enough for the 14-day fast! Seven days is plenty long enough for me!! :biggrin2:

I'm also a future bandmate from Dr. Pinnar, and I'm scheduled to take my 3 hour test next week. It does seem kinda like something unnecessary (especially since insurance isn't covering me), but I'll do whatever they require to get on the bandwagon... :thumbup:

Hi Janine, I know that they now have 2 groups per month -- I think the first and third Thursday. I believe it's on the website for Potomac Hospital. I don't know if I'll be going back there because I've switched bariatric doctors now that I found out the my insurance has an exclusion for any WLS surgery. I'm going to have to self-pay and am going to Dr. Pinnar in Reston. They're farther away, but give a little discount if you're self-paying and can qualify for the surgical center rather than the hospital (no overnight stay required). So I imagine I'll go to his support groups from here on in...

Hi All, I recently found out that I don't in fact have insurance coverage for WLS that they told me I did. For about a day, I abandoned my hopes to get banded, especially after the not-very-helpful staff at the Potomac Hospital group made me feel like a pariah. But then someone who works with my DH told me about Dr. Eric Pinnar. So now that I've come to accept that I will be self-paying, I've gone to his seminar and hope to get in for my initial visit later this week. I love the staff there, and of course, the doctor. I think I can qualify for the surgical center option to save a few bucks. I'm so excited to find this option and can't wait to join you on the 'band-wagon', if you'll pardon the pun....:laugh:

When I did the South Beach diet a couple of years back, I found something I really love and plan to use again once I get banded. Get the best, smoothest reduced fat ricotta cheese you can find -- I like Polly-O Part-Skim best (which is really hard to find unfortunately). I use about 1/2 cup ricotta, 1 packet sweetener, and a little bit of sugar-free DaVinci or Torani syrup (I like flavors like English toffee or caramel), and whip it with a stick blender. Then pop it into the freezer for about 10-15 minutes. YUMMY! :thumbup:

Hi Ja9va, Sorry I couldn't answer this sooner... I just went to my first support meeting at Potomac Hosp. last night. It's a big group, so after the doctor and nutritionist spoke about a few issues (like let's bring exercise into the equation!!), they broke up into two groups: one for newbies, potential WLS patients, or up to a year out from surgery, and then one for the old-timers -- several had GB up to 5 years ago in the group. It was okay given that I wasn't sure what to expect. I hear they're going to start having meetings twice a month, but I forgot to get the flyer for the dates. It may be on their website...

Thanks! Great idea to start training now...:cursing:

Thanks, Randi, I thought that was a very helpful reply. We should all probably print that out and have it on the refrigerator to remind us! :cursing: Personally, as a future bandster, I wonder how hard it will be to avoid the liquids while eating. That seems so hard to do. On the other hand, that's part of how I got in this shape -- trying to always guzzle water/liquids at all times of the night and day to make sure I was getting my daily requirement. And then washing the meals through and then being hungry and wanting more food, and then washing it down....

Tweenwaters and Mbanja, I think I've crossed the 40 BMI line (been gaining to qualify!), but other than being fat, I too have always been in great health. Why did insurance turn you down? Did you try to appeal? I'm just curious because I really want them to cover me...

Hi Redd, Please let me know how your initial consult with Dr. Halmi goes. I have mine in 2 weeks and have no idea what to expect. Would love some insight. Thanks!

I saw my PCP on Friday too, and I will admit I was nervous walking in. But he was very receptive to the idea. I'm 5'4 and about 234 (40 BMI). He gave me my referral to see a bariatric surgeon to get the ball rolling. (I had already attended a seminar.) Apparently, the surgeon will determine who and what I need further referrals for (testing, psych eval, etc), and then my PCP has to write the referrals. Though they are in completely separate locations and practices, they will work as a team to make this happen. :rolleyes2: One requirement of my insurance company is that there is a supervised diet period of at least 6 consecutive months. I believe they're going to allow me to submit my records from Jenny Craig over the last 2 years (not all the time, not with significant success) to cover that, so at least I won't have that 6 month delay. I have no idea how long this will take to get approved, but I can't even get initial consultation the surgeon for another 2 weeks! :tt1: Clearly, patience is not my strong suit!!!

I'm in the boat with Tricia -- I don't actually think I look as big in a mirror as I actually clearly am in photographs. I'm horrified at what I see! I've always thought the same body parts were equally horrible back when I weighed 140lbs (the Good Old Days!!) and I now I realize that I've had a bad body image forever. Will that ever change?

Steph, How do you eat really hot stuff when you can't drink with your meal??? I love all the spicy food, but I can't imagine it without something icy and cold. I'm not banded yet, so I just want to know how to do it when the time comes...

Those are mushy? Really? I haven't had one, but I would've thought too much texture. I have a bad sweet tooth, so I'm into it if it's okay...

FairyFacade, You just rocked my world when I read your post! I'm not yet scheduled for surgery, but I've been mourning the idea that I won't be able to have sushi anymore. (WLS seminar talked all about giving up rice, bread, etc.) So, since I haven't even been approved yet, I figure I'd better get it in now. But the idea that I will get to have it again is awesome. And isn't it generally a great source of Protein? My DH has always made fun of the way I try to strip off extra rice whenever I can (at least when we're eating it home)... and, of course, use low-sodium soy.

Hi Greeneyez, Where do you get Optifast shakes?? I was on the Optifast diet about 20 years ago, but you had to get it through the doctor's office. If I could buy it directly, I'd be jazzed. Do you have the protein count for that? Thanks!

Hey Kris, I noticed that you had your surgery at Potomac Hosp (in another thread), and I was curious about how long you were on liquids. According to their brochure, you'd only be on liquids for about a week. Right? When was your first post-op visit? And this may be a stupid question but I'll ask it anyway... is your band empty post-surgery until your first fill? How's it all going? I have my initial consultation there in 2 weeks. My PCP is in total support of this surgery. Yay!

Hi! I'm scheduled to see my primary physician on Friday to get this party started. Since I have no other comorbidities as I understand them, I've been actively trying to gain the last 10 lbs to achieve the 40.0 BMI insurance requires. (Not so tough with the holidays, I assure you!) Is that twisted or what???

At the seminar I attended, the doctor mentioned that sugar junkies don't do very well with this surgery because they still manage to find a way to beat the system. I can see where that's possible on the one hand, and on the other, I would think that between surgery and liquid diet, etc. that the sugar addiction/cravings would decrease. Of course, there might be some killer headaches at the beginning -- I had those when I did the South Beach diet religiously, and I did manage to kick the sugar habit for about 9 months. (That was 3 years ago...)

Wow, your picture and your stats are impressive and encouraging! Way to go!!