"Just" Paul

Spydr, Remember though, I also have over 180 lbs to lose too. I'm sure it is gonna slow down, but I am enjoying the ride thus far!! Of course, I'll be extra miserable when I hit my first plateau. heh heh heh

Spydr, Don't knock your loss... 32 lbs in 2 months is AMAZING! Sounds to me like you are doing things the right way!

I was banded November 17th, 2005. I love my band!

How about a low-carb mocha latte? Whip up some heavy cream with splenda (or your fave sweetener) and a little vanilla... put it aside. Make a strong pot of coffee, and fill most of a mug with it... add one half packet of sugar-free cocoa mix... stir it up and add the whipped cream. Yummy, satisfying, and oh so easy! If you are also worried about fat, you can partially freeze some skim milk, and add sweetener and vanilla to whip it up in your magic bullet!

I have a Weider Crossbow. Just like a bowflex, but much much cheaper. Infortunately, it is big, like the bowflex. Exercise wise, it is fabulous. I have this and a recumbant bike, and I am feeling good with both.

I just went through my closet and had to remove all the 3x shirts... way too big! Also got rid of all the 56 and 52 waist pants, I'm now in 48-50's! Unfortunately, that was most of my wardrobe. Oh well, nudity is cool.

SWEET!! Doll, you are da bom!

My wife was out of town, so I had to play singel dad to my active 4 year old, so all I had was a Hungryman frozen dinner, and it wasn't very good. The next day, I started my 1 week pre-op diet. Oh well, no regrets.

It hurt the first week I did them, then my muscles got stronger, and it stopped hurting. Go lightly at first, and build up slowly. Those muscles are not used to it yet, but they will get there. Best of luck!

I talked to my doc about this issue today. I have the Vanguard band. From the research I have done, and what he has told me, it was specifically designed to help minimize erosions. Here's the skinny... The "standard" band is a low volume, higher pressure device. When "inflated" it gets hard, even though filled with saline. This contributes to erosion. The Vanguard band is a low pressure, high volume device. It has many pillow-like sections in it, and does not get as "hard" when it squeezes the stomach. Unfortunately, it can also hold more air (in the pillows), and because of that it can take a little longer to find the sweet spot on some patients for maximum weight loss. The air is mostly extracted, but some can hide in the pillows. It also requires substantialy more saline (up to 11 ml), but for most folks the sweet spot is between 3.5 and 6. I got 3.6 today. Traditionally, it is used in men and larger patients, but my doc is considering using it in all his patients due to the "improved" design to help minimize erosion. It is the "newer" technology of the two. It does not mean that a Vanguard patient will not have erosion, it means that they will be less likely to compared to a patient with the other lapband, when both are installed in the same fashion. That is the info as it was shown and told to me.

Welcome welcome welcome!

Count me in.

I like to make a version of Turkey Tetrazinni. Make a cream and cheese sauce (I like to use a nice soft swiss for the cheese) boil your favorite noodle. Mix some chopped turkey, sliced mushrooms, and the sauce together, and place in a baking dish with breadcrumbs over the top. Bake until the top is nice and crispy at 350 degrees. Yummy and pretty easy. I also like to make Turkey vegetable soup. The "carcass" of the turkey makes great broth for soup as the bones are full of marrow and flavor. Also open-faced turkey and gravy sandwiches. Turkey crochets... mince up some turkey and mix with egg, cheese, leftover mashed potato and some yummy veggies... form into patties and fry in a skillet. Serve with sour cream. That's all I can think of for now.

Doll, Email me, and I can give you a couple quick and easy fish recipies for you and the little guy. Very simple, but healthy.

Have you tried the Carb Countdown milk? It is excellent, and also comes in a tasty chocolate. It adds Protein, and reduces the sugar of regular milk. So, if you're gonna drink it, them might as well drink a healthier version. Also, look for some of the new reduced sugar juices, and try some sugar-free koolaid, and crystal light. Fruity tasting, but no cals. Sugar is one of the biggest enemies. Empty calories, no nutritional value. fruit juice is nothing but liquid sugar. Since you are only drinking, at least try to work in Protein shakes, or get unflavored unjury Protein powder, and add it to your liquids. If you can't get off the liquids, then make them work for you, and make them healthy. If you can't beat it, join it. Make it work for you. If liquids are what you love, them make them Work For You!!

Great Pics! Congrats, and best wishes!

In perspective... I used to eat a whole order of wings, a bowl of Soup or a salad, both chicken breasts, all the broccoli, and order of fries, or a mashed potato, and then a whole dessert. Washed that down with a couple cokes. Later in the evening, I'd have a bag or chips or doritos with dip and a few more cokes. In that persoective, 6-7 ounces of chicken, 2 fries and 4 pieces of broccoli is not too bad! For my band, it felt like too much, I was overfilled for hours. But compared to the old me...WOW.

I did the same thing the other night. I went out with my wife and daughter to Friday's for dinner. While I was waiting for my meal, I ate 2 of my daughter's fries, and 1 of my wife's hot wings. My meal consisted of 2 chicken breasts covered in cheese and 2 huge broccoli bunches. I ate 75% of one of the chicken breasts, and 75% of one of the broccoli bunches. I then spent the whole ride home feeling disgusted with myself because I had "pigged out" It is had to put things in perspective sometimes. Worry not, we will get over it!

I'd love to get back to 250, haven't been there in at least a decade. Anything more than that would be a bonus! So, off to the gym with me!

I was given the 10/60 rule. No fluids 10 minutes before a meal, and 60 minutes after. So far, I've been doing it, and it seems to help...I think.

What I found is that I was looking at all the other diners, and how much they were consuming...MASSIVE QUANTITIES... and then I realized, I used to eat more than most. Look at how they fit uncomfortable in the booth, and how uncomfortable they will be the rest of the evening...then think how good you feel, how you fit better than ever in the booth, and that you'll feel great all evening! First time we went out, I noticed that my 4 year old could eat 4x as much as me. Take the extra home, eat slow and savor the flavors. It will get easier with time, I promise.

Jonathan, Do you know the guys in Austin that did Starship Exeter? I know they used a studio in Austin, and the one producer/actor is also from there. If you think you are a trek geek, check out my Starship Farragut website listed in my signature. No one is Trek geekier than me... I'm acting, writing and producing a Trek fan film. Now that's geeky.

Are you getting married at that Star Trek thing? My wife calls my Trek fandom geeky. I just think it's cool!

Tell 'em to kiss your patootie, and that you're proud of what you've accomplished.

Welcome on board Joe!