Ezma

Oh Ready, you are just so wonderful. Got me a bit choked up there too and I don't even have the period thing to blame for my weepiness. This is a great group. And yes, we do have different opinions and experiences but I think that is what is so helpful for everyone. You can express yourself and see the broad range of experiences. I did have two pre-op diets - the six month for the insurance and a two week pre-op to "shrink my liver". During the 6 month is was typical couple pounds a month then gained 6 back at Christmas. Ended up losing 18 from that. Then I had the very strict 2-week with just broth, sugar free popsicles and Jello and 3 Protein shakes a day. I thought I was gonna die. I was starving all the time, going through caffeine withdrawal and wanted to kill my doctor, nutritionist and nurses. I was sure it was ridiculous to do this and knew had never suffered so. I know, a bit melodramatic there. But I lost another 16 pounds from it and it gave me some insight into myself. I knew I could do this band thing and succeed. It made me feel strong and confident. I know that the surgeons can do the operation without it but if it makes it easier for them, I'm game. I feel a bit bad when people compare their post op weight loss and feel like they aren't doing as well because they are. But I did work hard to get those pounds off too and I want to claim them. I do hope it's clear in my signature that part of it was pre-op.

I've only had 3 fills and it would be 4 if I hadn't had the kinked tubing surgery to throw me off schedule. I feel like my doctor is right in the middle as far as rate of fills. But Gibson, yours is the slowest I've seen yet. Hugs to you. Keep on working it. I know it's tough when you're getting no help from the band or your doctor.

I love this kind of stuff. Thank you! A while back I had read something about the lap band and how it seems to effect a hormone that helps the body feel full. There's a second hormone that works with Lepitin called Ghrelin. Somehow the band seems to elevate one of these hormones and that helps you to feel satisfied and less likely to have the emotional snack attack. I don't totally understand it because not much is written for the lay person. I do know that they think that these findings may very well lead to a pill for obesity someday. Another thing I wish I could figure out is why sometimes, and it's almost always at night, I get a maniacal need for food. It's like a crazed drive to find just what my body needs. Very hard to fight through that. I'm guessing it's related to Lepitin.

I don't think I listed this one on the thread I had with links - Healthy Recipes, Healthy Eating, Healthy Cooking - Eating Well. I had picked up the magazine back in March and forgot about it. It's not totally clean eating but you could easily adapt the recipes as they are pretty clean. Their recipes are healthy without sacrificing taste.

Welcome back! I've missed the dancin' Megan. You're sure right about this site. I have to check in about 4 times a day. It keeps me focused on the goal and how to get there. Will be nice to see your sweet face around here again.

Happy birthday Shiny!!!! Hope you have a wonderful day and even more wonderful year. And it sounds like you have the right attitude to make it happen. Congrats on 75 pounds too. Good day for you. :thumbup:

The serving size seems to be about 1 cup. I made it tonight and so far it's tasting yummy.

Thought I'd start a thread for Clean Eating recipes. Please feel free to add to this. First one I have is for a yummy dip or spread. Garlicky Spinach & Ricotta Dip 1 tsp olive oil 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 leek, washed and thinly sliced 2 large bunches of spinach, washed and coarsely chopped 1 cup light ricotta cheese 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg Instructions: One - Coat a large nonstick frying pan with olive oil and set over medium heat. Add garlic and leek. Stir often until soft, 6 to 8 minutes. Add a few drops of Water if leek starts to brown too much before it softens. Two – Increases heat to medium-high and add a few handfuls of spinach. Stir until wilted, then turn into a food processor. Continue to cook rest of spinach in small batches until all is wilted. Place in food processor. Whirl until blended – make it as chunky or fine as you like. Turn into a bowl and refrigerate until cool. Three - Stir spinach with ricotta, sea salt and nutmeg. Taste and add more seasonings if needed. Dip will water out as it sits; stir before serving. Nutrients per ¼ cup serving: Calories – 30 Total Fat – 1g Sat. Fat – 0.4g Carbs – 3g Fiber – 1g Sugars – 1g Protein – 3g Sodium – 100mg Cholesterol – 2mg

Finally got time to check out that cookbook. It looks really fantastic. I've put it in my must have wish list. Thanks.

Wonder where he's getting his averages from? Judging from this forum most of us have have 2-4 fills. You can definately tell when you have restriction. I think I'm almost at my sweet spot now. You can try to take a firmer hand with your doctor or possibly you can show him this forum. LOL Will he do a fill with flouro or however you spell that? Then he could see the restriction for himself. I think it's good to go slow with the fills but every 4-6 weeks is more than enough time to adapt. Wonder if there's some national database or statistics on fill rates?

Congrats!!! I know I'll get there but it can't be soon enough for me.

I'm so happy to hear from you, April. Yay!!!!!!! :thumbup: :eek: Glad to hear the scale is moving in the right direction for you. Celebrate. You deserve it! You've manage to keep the pounds coming off even when you've been struggling. That means you're still working it. When you get down you've managed to pull yourself back up and get back on track. Something none of us could do before the band.

This is my absolute favorite. It's calorie free and naturally sweet.

This one is good too - it's blueberry white tea.

Good luck to both of you on your surgeries - ilse72 and wstone. Getting close now.

Sorry, I'm really not sure. I'm going to try it some time this week. Looking at the ingredients it looks like it's gonna be about 3/4 to 1 cup per serving. I'll try to remember to post back here when I do. I got the recipe from the Eat-Clean Diet site. There might be more information about serving size on the site or in the cookbook. I didn't see anything in the regular Eat-Clean Diet book.

Got rid of the long straight blah hair this last weekend. Part of the new me. Tomorrow is my 4 month bandiversary. So without further ado, here's my progress pics. 1 day before surgery 6-17-08 Ignore the serious, silly face - sun was in my eyes and hubby didn't warn me - LOL Sassy new hair

:tt1: I want a drink! Feels like the old army has tromped through this mouth of mine. It's one of the worst parts of surgery - no liquids beforehand. I'm going in to fix my port in a couple hours. I'm a little bit nervous but it's supposed to be a piece of cake. Crossing my fingers and toes. I really need a fill even though I'm afraid to be too tight. The last couple of nights I've had the last meal syndrome. I know it's a mix of nerves, depression and just wanna get a few things in before I'm too tight to eat them. Anyone know if they unfill me when they do this? Really hope not cause I'm close to my sweet spot now.

I have a 14cc AP band too. Wish I had that problem of not being able to drink. I might when they finally get me to my sweet spot though. I can hope. :smile2:

I really like the Clean Eating magazine. So far most of the recipes have been really easy and tasty. You also get the bonus of knowing that all the foods are good for you and usually pretty low-cal. Also, most of the Rachel Ray stuff is easy, lots of 30 minute meals. I picked up her magazine and have made one thing so far - Coconut and Mango chicken served over black Beans. It was really easy and quite good. I can't bring myself to eat out very often - waste of money and calories to me. Yep, it's delicious and easy but just not worth it. Give a yell if you want some recipes and I'll see what I can find for you. Oh, and I still drink with my meals too most of the time. It is so hard to stop. I am trying though and I'm sure one day I'll get there.

She wasn't sure about it so she called the surgeon and had him come over from the hospital. They ended up giving me some antibiotics because he wasn't sure if it was infected or not and didn't want to take a chance. It started clearing up real fast after I started taking them and now it's shrunk way down to just two coin-sized spots. I'm so glad it is too I was very afraid that they would have to open it to drain and he said they would have to take it out if they had to do that. Eeek.

Well I'm glad you're back. Don't feel like you have to put on a happy face to come here. We've all had times that we've felt like killing everyone around us, so we'll understand. Have you hit one of those damn plateaus or are you just having trouble doing the things you know you have to do to make it work? I've been pretty pissy this last week. Not only did I have to have surgery but I gained 6 pounds from it and had to take that off again. Just have one more to go and then I can start losing new pounds again. Been kind of in a "poor me" place but I think I've almost snapped out of it now.

Congrats! That has to feel great. :biggrin2: Probably another couple months before I can say that but I'm looking forward to it.

Jaime, you're looking great. Feels so good when you can see a difference doesn't it? Congrats! I can't wait to see all of us at our 6 month and 1 year. Wow, they won't even know who we are.

Congrats you two! That is so absolutely stupendous. Must be almost as good as winning the lottery. Hope you start feeling better soon.