kcmagu

B: mocha cheesecake protein shake S: a handful (or 2 :smile2: mixture of candy corn & roasted peanuts) L: 1 cup tortilla soup D: 4 oz chicken spanikopita meatballs :tt1: S: 2 halloween packs peanut butter m&m's

BlooEyez - I like your new picture - I've got to figure out that whole thing! Thursday: B: 1/3 apple w/ 2 tbls.+ peanut butter (i finished the jar) S: 1/3 apple w/ 2 oz cheese and a handful of zen party mix L: 4.5 oz panda express chicken (1/2 mandarin, 1/2 mushroom) S: sf chocolate pudding D: 4 oz plain nonfat greek yogurt, 1.3 oz kashi go lean crunch cereal & 1/3 c. blueberries

Luluc - I hope you end up enjoying them if you start feeling better of course! One note though - I think the night I made them first I must have had something salty to eat prior to making them - because in remaking them today I could tell I wasn't going to need as much hoisin and soy sauce (although being a hoisin fan - I will probably keep the hoisin up and bring the soy sauce down). For those of you wanting to make them I would start with a 1/4 c of hoisin and just add soy sauce to taste - could always use some broth or stock to help thin down the puree. Good Luck!

Big Baby - I wish I could hon, but for your health I will decline This will be one of my 24 hour + days: B: 1 c. tortilla soup S: 1/4 apple w/ 2 tbls peanut butter L: 2 oz cheese, 2 oz baked cheetos, 6 peanut butter cups - such a weird and excessive lunch - halloween candy is a bad thing S: 100 cal popcorn bag D: 4 oz panda express mandarin chicken, 3 bites edamame filling, 2 bites 2 bean salad B#2: will be kashi oatmeal cup

Big Baby - I made the edamame wontons. (I jazzed up a recipe I found on the internet) I was going to steam them tonight like dumplings but ran out of time - so I just brought some of the filling which is delicious on its own. I took a bag of frozen shelled edamame, cooked them in a pan with just a tsp of canola oil and 1 of sesame oil & 2-3 cloves garlic until they were softened slightly - I then put them in the blender with about 1/3 c. hoisin sauce and soy sauce, 1 tbls minced ginger (from a jar or fresh), about 3 green onions minced, 2 tsp siracha (a oriental hot sauce - but you could use a dash of cayenne as well) and a couple packets splenda and salt to taste. - It takes a while to really blend it down - I might try putting it in the food processor first. It tastes really good though. I then placed a spoonful in a wonton wrapper, moistened 2 edges, pressed to seal - add voila - ready to fry, steam or bake - I have baked some of my homemade wontons/dumplings before - important to spray or brush the tops with either pam or I can't believe it's not butter spray otherwise they come out looking a little pale and dry. (400 deg. for 12-14") can sprinkle with a little salt &/or sesame seeds

yesterday: B: mocha cheesecake protein shake S: sf chocolate pudding L: 3/4 c. chilaquiles S: 1/2 apple w/ tbls peanut butter (& a spoonful of caramel mixed in) D: 3 oz braised beef, 1/3 c. 2 bean salad Today: B: 1/2 c. cream of wheat & 2 pieces bacon S: 1/4 c. roasted peanuts L: 1/2 c. chicken tortilla soup - came back up D: of course now I'm famished - way too much panda express mandarin chicken, innards of 3 rangoons and a potsticker

I was very unsure about it as well - same thing I never cared for protein/diet shakes either. It actually went a lot better than I thought it would. My preop diet was 2 shakes and then a lean cuisine type meal - if I absolutely felt like I needed another meal/snack they said I could do one more shake. I never had to though. I went through something mentally right before I started the preop diet - where I told myself this is ridiculous. I have spent years destroying my body with poor choices - I can give myself 2 weeks of doing anything to help start getting back on track. Dr Malley's staff actually told me it would be ok to drink a slim fast shake vs some of the 'protein' shakes. This pretty much saved me - because I ended up really liking them. In fact, I still to this day enjoy one almost every day as one of my meals (sometimes b/c it's fast and/or portable and sometimes b/c in the morning my band is tight and I still want to make sure I get protein in. They said I could add some frozen fruit and puree it in - which helps with flavor and making it thicker so it's more like a smoothie. Now I will admit that I choked down the first 1-2 until I got used to the taste - but now I do love them (I still don't care for the smell - it's the protein smell - so try not to smell them b/c that is what made it hard at first) I would buy the slim fast high protein shakes, creamy vanilla and creamy milk chocolate (I do not like the chocolate royal or other flavors such as strawberry or cappuchino) The high protein varieties have only about 10 more calories than the regular but several more grams of protein. I would add about 1/4-1/3 level cup frozen blueberries or frozen diced strawberries (unsweetened) to the vanilla and strawberries to the chocolate, adding 2 packets of splenda helped really offset the tartness of the fruit and made a delicious shake. (ps - I use my magic blender to puree - great item!) Now I add the frozen blueberries, 3oz nonfat plain greek yogurt and 3 packets splenda to the vanilla shake - tastes like blueberry cheesecake (the greek yogurt only adds about 40-50 calories but 10 grams of protein which gets it to around or above the protein level of true protein shakes (you will have to clear the extra calories with your dr though) I also add the same greek yogurt, splenda a dash of cinnamon and 1 tsp espresso powder to the chocolate shake - tastes like mocha cheesecake. Just make sure the pre-made shakes in the can are cold or add cold milk to the shake powder. The reason I never cared for the other protein shakes was due slightly to their taste but a lot of it was a texture thing - they were very watery/thin. Other tips - I had lots of sugar free jello, sugar free gum and hard candy on hand (couldn't go crazy with the candy b/c it still has some calories - but it helped keep other things out of my mouth!) When I picked my lean cuisine meals I picked ones < 300 cal. and tried to stay away from ones like the pizzas or sandwichs (more obvious bread)and also avoiding the ones heavy in pasta. I wanted my calories to have a higher protein value than carbs - I knew that would help me feel fuller. I hoped this helps some - GOOD LUCK!

What time period are you wanting advice for - preop diet, afterward, etc.? = I'll help in any way I can.

B: 1/2 c. chilaquiles, 1 chocolate chip cookie L: 1/3 apple with peanut butter D: 5 edamame wontons :thumbup:- I'll admit I fried them for some guests but they were worth it because they tasted so good, 1/4c. glazed sweet potato S: 1 packet snackwells cookies

B: 1/2 c. chicken & white bean cassoulet (it was hard for me to make a small batch of this - hence the frequent listing - good thing it's delicious!) and a chocolate chip cookie S: 2 oz pirate's booty puffed cheese snack - a little excessive L: 4 oz chicken spanikopita meatballs - YUMMY! 1/2c. 2 bean salad D: mocha cheesecake protein shake S: 1/2 apple w/ 2 tbls peanut butter

Dr Malley banded me back in April. He and his staff are excellent! They really care about you and how you are doing. The nurse practioner in his office used to work with me as a nurse before she got her masters and I love to go in and see her or Dr Malley - I would highly recommend them to anybody considering banding in the KC area.

Today: B: weight control oatmeal packet, 3 oz. plain nonfat greek yogurt, 1/4 diced cinnamon-glazed apple (only ate 3/4 of it) L: 1/2 c chicken & dumpling, 1 wedge light laughing cow garlic & herb cheese) S: 100 cal. pack cheezits D: 3/4 c. chicken great northern bean cassoulet, 1/4 c. glazed sweet potato S: (i hate to even type it) 5 oreos :thumbup: (it gets worse - double stuff ) I don't know how it even happened - some evil person brought them in to be nice to her coworkers (oh wait - the evil person was me) and my day was going so well. B #2: (26 hour day) 1/2 c. 2 bean salad, 1/2 apple with 2 tbls peanut butter. At least I walked 3.5 miles today!

KareBare - my Dr has the same philosophy as yours. It has been interesting reading how everyone's dr varies. I don't think just one way is right, multiple ones can work but this advise has worked for me. The theory works in a couple different ways. - By eating REAL food, you will feel fuller sooner - drinking liquids, eating mushies or soft - it is easier for more food to get through band. You help train your mind (let's be honest this is big for a lot of us) how to eat before you have no residual restriction from slight surgical swelling - take smaller bites, chew more. - You are not going to eat very much at first so having a few more calories from the "any kind of food you want" is ok for now - My DR changed this when I went in for the first postop fill (5 weeks postop) but I still actually tried to make sensible choices most of the time during that period just to get me used to it and not make it hard to keep on the right track later. - My Dr doesn't want me focusing on wt loss now either - his big thing is are you getting enough Protein in, making sensible choices, not feeling hungry and maintaining a wt loss of any kind? I was banded in 4/08 and averaged about 10 lbs a month loss until the last couple months where it changed to 5-8 lbs/month. (I also was bad about exercising these months though - that's changed this month and I can already tell I will probably be around 8-10 lbs) Everyone is different though (patients and Drs) and I firmly believe everyone needs to follow the advise of their Dr's because they are the ones following your progress and can give the appropriate advise when things aren't working well if that happens. Good Luck!

Luluc - so true so true! Yesterday: B: Mocha Cheesecake protein shake L: 2/3 c. Chicken & white bean cassoulet, 1/4 c. glazed sweet potato S: 1/2 c. 2 bean salad D: 1 oz buffalo summer sausage, 1.5 oz cheddar, 1/4 honey crisp apple, sm. handful crackers S: luna bar

You can stretch the pouch but you actually have to worry a little more about esophageal dilation. PB episodes are not always from over eating but can also be from eating too fast, too much in a bite, wrong food choices or drinking too soon after eating - the PB'ing itself is not usually from the volume of food being too much (although it certainly can be) but from the food not being able to get out the other end (due to your level of restriction) from one of the reasons above. If you get esophageal dilation (which is caused by overeating) - it can go back to normal - but they usually have to take all the fluid out of your band for at least 1-2 months :thumbup: to let it rest and then start over.

PORTION SIZE HELP I have occasionally had trouble with portioning out my food (especially to go) in a manner that gives me the appropriate amount, is economical and isn't in a container that makes me feel like I'm only using a small portion of it. I've also found it hard when making casseroles (especially layered ones) - trying to scoop out a portion without feeling like each serving is not equally distributed. I thought I would share something that has helped me through this. There is a website: plasticcontainercity.com They have both 4 & 7 oz. ovenable (up to 450 deg.) & disposable containers with a plastic lid. They also have disposable plastic containers with lids (non-ovenable - they call them portion cups) in every 1 oz. increments from 1 oz to 6 oz. They're great for Entrees, sides and Snacks. They are very reasonably priced and you don't have to buy a case - you just have to spend $25. Hope this helps if you've had similar difficulties.

TODAY: Had a long workout this am (4 miles again :grouphug:) and have been real tight most of day, better tonight. B: 1 turkey/cheddar rollup L: 3 bites of cheese and .8 oz beef jerky stick S: 1 mini babybel light cheese round (i really had a lot of cheese today) D: 2/3 c. chicken & great northern bean cassoulet, 1/3 c. glazed sweet potato

Yesterday: B: 1 egg & ricotta quiche cup L: sm. cup egg drop soup, the soft part of a salmon rangoon and a couple bites stir fried chicken and rice S: 1/3 c. trail mix D: 4 chicken spanikopita meatballs w/ 1/4 c. tzatziki sauce Walked 4 miles today :biggrin: -Speaking of - anyone experienced feeling very tight for a couple hours after a big workout?

I forgot to add - Is anyone interested in the miracle noodles? I thought they sounded great and they're really not bad - similar to the texture of spaghetti squash - just slightly thicker strands. But since the texture is similar to the squash - I'll probably just stick to it. Therefore, I have several bags of the noodles that I'd be glad to give away free if you want to just cover the shipping. If you haven't heard about them - there is a lot on the web but they are calorie and fat free - it's true! Let me know if you are interested.

B: 2/3 of rasberry cheesecake protein shake S: 1 wedge garlic & herbs laughing cow cheese L: 3/4 c. steak and cheese soup (without the chunks) S: 100 cal. pack fudge stripe right bite cookies D: 2/3 c. butternut squash and crab bisque

I also like the fage brand the best. It's hit and miss as to which grocery stores carry it around me - some don't at all, some do but not the plain, nonfat kind, others carry it all. In the grocery stores I usually find it in the refridgerated organic section. My favorite place to get it is at Whole Foods or if I'm visiting family at Trader Joes (unfortunately there is not one in KC) these 2 locations seem to have the best price on the greek yogurt. I do like yogurt but notice a huge difference in the lack of tang/tartness in the greek yogurt - so hopefully you will enjoy it. I just stir in a couple packets of splenda and some diced fruit into the plain, nonfat version.

Yesterday: B: mocha cheesecake protein shake L: 1/2 c. chicken chiliquiles with 1/2 c. steak & cheese soup (whole foods) poured over it S: oatmeal raisin cookie - afraid to say it was large and I ate the whole thing D: 1 cup chicken & dumpling S: honey roasted cashews 2oz Today: B: 1/2 c. chiliquiles with 1/2 c. steak & cheese soup poured over it S: honey roasted cashews 2 oz - these need to leave the house L: 1 c. chicken & dumpling D: mocha cheesecake protein shake 4th meal (I go back to work tonight so will be up for 24 hours) will be: 3oz braised beef (dream dinners), 1 oz baby roasted potato and a couple sugar snap peas last snack (will probably be around 0500) greek yogurt and 1/2 apple thank goodness I'm getting a fill tomorrow.

I have to say my volume of food intake was much better yesterday, but unfortunately I think I made up for the caloric intake with mojitos (unusual for me but was at a benefit for the humane society at McCormick & Schmidts and they were good) Yesterday: B: nothing - worked the previous night, slept 2 hr before getting up for a lunch meeting L: 2 oz baked chicken, 1/2 c wild rice pilaf, 3 bites salad, 1/3 c apple cobbler D: random appetizers - crab salad on cucumber slices, chicken satay skewer, mini crab cake, smoked salmon and yes - MOJITOS!