ljv52

Kristine, welcome to your new home. This is the greatest thread and everyone is wonderful here. Just make it a habit to check in every day and let everyone know how you're doing. It's fantastic that you have such an active lifestyle. I'm just getting back in the groove after a 10 year vacation from the gym (it's amazing how those years flew by and I can't believe it took me 10 years to get back to exercising). In fact I just returned from my workout -- recumbant bike, circuit machines and then water aerobics and I'm tired, but a good tired. My hubby goes to the water aerobics too -- he is disabled/retired as he had both hips replaced in 2000 and 2001 so water aerobics is good for him too. Kristine, I hear you when you say you have had teenage problems and financial problems. I raised my son (now 36) and then raised my three step children (from ages of 3, 9 and 12). The youngest is just turning 20 on Sunday and he's still a big pain! We had two kids with juvenile diabetes and they both refuse to take care of themselves. The 20 year old almost died at Christmas -- his girlfriend found him passed out - his blood sugar was 1500! The other one is my grandbaby's mother and she's 25 and still refuses to take good care of her diabetes. I look at how skinny she is and worry about her driving the baby in the car. As Janet said, we must repeat the serenity prayer -- because truly, there are things we have no control over and worrying about them all just makes us crazy. We'll keep you in our prayers and hope it all gets better soon. My girlfriend's teen aged grandson was just arrested for car burglarly. It's tough raising kids, so we just need to keep positive thoughts if possible. I was on Hungry-girl.com the other day and read about the tofu noodles, so I ordered some. They just came today -- have any of you tried them? They also had some other low carb/low fat items I ordered to try - a muffin mix and a brownie mix. Julie, so glad you made it to your water aerobics class -- good for you. Thanks to everyone who congratulated me on my weight loss this week -- it's nice to have friends to share it with. No one else seems to be noticing that I've lost weight - it's weird how no one mentions it (except my hubby and kids). I know it's gotta be noticeable after 50 lbs. Maybe they think it's rude to comment, not sure. I know Janet said the other night one of her co-workers and client never mentioned her weight loss either. It's just interesting. It's 51 here today -- I didn't wear a jacket when I went out today -- hooray for sunshine and blue skies! Have a great day/night everyone! Linda

I'm still losing weight too and am scheduled for a fill on 3-11. I want a fill because I'm hungry -- I feel no restriction at all -- I'm doing all the work, not the band. Does anyone know if they will do a fill under these circumstances? I want the fill because I'm tired of dealing with never feeling full anymore. I will beg the doctor for a small fill if necessary. Linda

Hi TX, thanks for checking in. I have my fill on 3-11 and I can't wait. I've been so hungry and although I've been making good food choices, I'm doing some bad things -- like eating way too fast, not chewing that well, etc. I never really feel full ever -- that's been going on for over 2 weeks and so I'm more than ready to get a fill. Let me know how yours is on the 5th. Good luck! Linda

Hi everyone, just checking in. Had a good day, tried a new water aerobics class tonight -- like it better than the ones I take in the afternoons. It's good to have options. Julie, you've had a tough week, you're doing great - you must be a very strong person to deal with everything you've been dealing with this week. Just remember to take care of yourself too. It sounds like you do a great job of taking care of everyone else, but you're worth the trouble too you know. Proud of you for getting on that treadmill. I love my water aerobics and hope you will get back to yours soon. Long, I loved that your grandma didn't recognize you at first -- that's wonderful - and I love your attitude about not being the fat sister any longer. It's someone else's turn. Good for you! Today was my weigh in day (only once a week) and I was happily surprised with 5 more lbs. gone! I was really shocked because I've been so hungry the last few days and felt like I've been eating more than usual, but was eating the right foods, just more of them. I'm looking forward to my fill next week. Hope you all have a good day tomorrow! We're supposed to have temps in the 50s here. Linda

Hi everyone, Apples, please do not worry yourself about what other people think! When I lost my 100 lbs. before (long time ago), people, including my own mother and sister told me I looked anorexic. I did not and was not, I was 5'4" tall and weighed 120. I think partly beause of the attitudes I encountered was some of the reason I stopped exercising and watching what I was eating and gained that 100 plus more back. Never again! As for those of us here, I am newly banded and I can say that I would not nor would I ever have thought you were bragging -- your problem is just another problem that can be encountered by someone with a lapband. We are all here to learn together -- whether or not we have the same problems, it's good to know what other people encounter so we are all the better educated. I do hope you are able to keep your weight somewhat steady and not lose more. I would hate to have to get up at 3:00 a.m. to eat! I do wish you luck and will keep you in my prayers. Long, you are such an inspiration -- congrats on your 9 months and your onederland, I know you've worked hard to get where you're at. I had a good day, did my bicycling, water aerobics and circuit training and am tired, but happy. Have a good night everyone! Linda

Barb, It's March first! Only 10 more days until your surgery! Have you started the pre-surgery diet? Hope you are doing great. Let me know if I can be of any help. Linda

Hi everyone, the website seems to be back to normal as I had no problem getting on from home computer and work computer today. Julie, how's your Mom? Hope it's not a seizure. Welcome Lizz -- good luck on your journey, you sound like you're doing great. Janet, your new clothes sound great -- good bargains too. Had tuna salad for dinner -- and had a couple of small dill pickles too --I was craving them -- hadn't had any since my surgery and they tasted great! Janet, I'm not sure if my surgeon does blind fills or not. I hope not, but will have to wait and see on March 11. Hope you all have a great week. Linda

There's website called Hungry-Girl.com that is all about diet foods. They preview foods, give reviews., etc. I really enjoy the site and thought perhaps some of you would also enjoy it. Today there was a fantastic product previewed there, a product so new it's not even in stores yet. They are called Portion control flavor sheets. If you go to www.portioncontrol.net you will find them. They season your meat, fish or poultry but also provide you with a guideline as to what 3 -5 oz. of meat looks like. I ordered some because I am just starting my lapband journey and I think these will be helpful to me and I thought some of you might be interested. If you order, use coupon code FM15 for a 15% discount. I also got free shipping on my order. Linda

Could not get on here earlier. Janet thanks for your help, I am getting a little nervous about my fill. My doctor does them on a time schedule at first. They say they are quite conservative when it comes to fills, meaning they put a very small amount of saline in for the fills, but I'm still nervous about it. I spent the morning cleaning out my closets and had a friend come by to try on some clothes -- she ended up taking the majority of them and the rest DH took to Goodwill. I'm excited to get those clothes out of the house as I am down about 3 sizes. Went to the gym for my workout and water aerobics. Ate the rest of my catfish today. Had a good day, spring is coming, it's the end of February! Linda

Pen, are you in Vegas? I lived in Reno for 15 years -- from 1979 to 1991. Let me know where you live in NV. I miss it so much. I left there and moved to So. Ca (Long Beach) and then we moved to Iowa 4 years ago (to live near my son and daughter in law). Guess what? He got promoted and moved to Vegas last Oct. But it's all good, I like it here, except the winters are a pain (too cold). But I'll survive. Linda

I think you're right, Pen. I stopped protein drinks altogether and the gas has pretty much subsided. My doc doesn't really want us on protein shakes (prefers we eat real food), it isn't a problem. I'm doing well, have been exercising a lot -- Going three times a week, Mon., Wednes and Friday -- doing recumbant bike 30 mins., then circuit training and then doing a 45 mins. water aerobics class -- I'm tired out after that but it's worth it -- I've been losing about 2 pounds a week since I've been doing that. I struggled and didn't lose any weight one week and then only lost like a partial pound the next. That's when I decided I better get to exercising and it does help. Wish we'd hear from Carolina Mom and Ms Kelly -- come on you guys, let us know you're doing okay. I've been doing pretty good with the eating -- trying to limit my fat intake -- that's a diet that always works well for me. I decided I want to diet until I lose the majority of my weight and then after that, just try to use the band to limit my intake of food. I have a goal -- I'm not telling my family that I did the band and we are all meeting in Vegas for my sister's 50th birthday party on August 9, so I want to surprise them all with the "new me" -- won't they be surprised? It should be fun. Pen, I actually tried a piece of toast the other day and it was okay. I just put some jelly on it. Also, when I went to my support group meeting, I heard about PB2 -- it's a powdered peanut butter that you mix with water. 1 tablespoon only has 1.8 grams of fat and a lot less calories than regular peanut butter. It's a good source of protein -- I had it on a graham cracker with some jelly for breakfast and it was heaven. I stopped eating peanut butter a long time ago cause it was so fattening, so it was a nice treat. Hope to hear from you and some others soon. Linda

Debbie, my surgery went very well. If you go to the monthly groups and look up January 27, 09, I posted quite a bit there about how my surgery went. I was very happy with everyone at Mercy -- everyone was very nice, very professional and very caring -- even the nurse who does the iv's was great -- and I never got a bruise from my IV which is probably the first time ever. The rooms are nice and big (all are private rooms). You'll have top notch care. The most important thing is to get up and get moving after surgery -- my surgery was at 10:30 a.m. and I was back in my room by 1:00 p.m. and up and moving around that evening and all day the next day, doing laps around the floor. It really helps keep the gas pains to a minimum and you feel much better moving around than just sitting/lying in bed. It's also good to prevent blood clotting. I haven't had any problems with my band, but I have followed the rules very carefully - did not try to eat any foods not on the list, etc. I never cheated on my 2 week pre-surgery liquid diet either. I decided if I was going to do this, I was going to do it right. Everyone at the clinic is wonderful and I went to the support group meeting on 2/10 and really enjoyed that as well. I have nothing but great things to say about the entire program, it is top notch. Good luck and let me know what you decide, etc. Linda

I everyone. Sharons, I had trouble getting on here Wednes. night too, and I've never had any problems before. Tonight it was just fine. I was able to log on to other web sites, so it must have been something specifically to do with this one. Anyway, I had to go to lunch today with one of my friends. We live in a small town and have very few choices for restaurants, so I agreed to go to one of the family style restaurants. I wanted to order the baked cod, but I asked if I could have it without the "butter sauce" and was told "no". LOL. So, instead I just ordered the vegetable soup. I hate it when restaurants won't accommodate your wishes. It seemed a simple enough request. Oh well. I work out 3 days a week, Mon.., Wed. and Friday. I ride a recumbant bike (I've worked up to 30 mins.), then circuit training and then a water aerobics class. I am tired when done, but enjoy not having to go every day to the gym, so prefer this schedule. On Tues., Thurs. and Sat. I walk the dog, weather permitting. Catfish was on sale here this week, so I tried the recipe where you rinse the fish, season with salt and pepper and then dip it in the cornmeal coating and then bake it. For extra crunch, i broiled it the last few seconds and it really helped crisp it up -- tasted just as good to me as fried. I made my own tarter sauce with low fat mayo, relish, onion and lemon juice. I've been eating a lot of green beans with vinegar - I like them that way (keeps me from wanting butter on them), and I can make up a bunch and have them with my meals. I'm just to the point where I can have real food, but haven't tried any real meat yet -- I've had salmon, fish, tuna and some boca/morning star meats (which are soft) and a lot of beans but am a little worried about real meat. I guess I'll take the plunge in the next couple of days. Better do it before my first fill on 3/11. Hope you all have a great Friday. Linda

Hi everyone, Good to read everyone's posts. Phyllser I was an AF wife too -- stationed in Duluth, MN, San Angelo, TX, and Fairbanks, AK, so have seen my share of nasty, cold winters. I'm originally from Ohio, Youngstown area. After Fairbanks, I divorced and moved to Reno, NV where I raised my DS and lived until I met my current DH and moved to Long Beach, CA in 1992. He became disabled and we left So. CA four years ago and moved to Iowa (where my DS lived) and now my DH's daughter and 2 year old GD live here too. I don't miss So. CA much, I worked in downtown LA and don't miss the commute at all. We left at a good time, and are grateful for that. Janet, today was my weigh in day and I lost my two pounds for the week. I also recalculated my BMI which is now at 39 so I am THRILLED with that, which helps keep me motivated. Linda

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I'm doing well, just busy with work and life. Janet, your pics are wonderful and truly an inspiration -- thank you for sharing with us. And also thanks for discussing the sf foods -- I too have sf/low fat pudding and yogurt everyday because my dr. wants me to have skim milk, but I can't drink milk -- never have cared much for plain milk. My weight loss has slowed (only 1 lb. last week), but I'm so happy with progress so far. Julie, you and I are the same age, both 52 models (which was a very good year, you know). I live in Iowa and I am looking forward to spring as well. Long, congrats on onederland. Thanks to you all for your wisdom -- I find it all very encouraging and inspirational. Linda

Hi Deb, Good luck to you, I wish you all the best. I would trust the doctor's at Mercy Capital to advise you on whether or not lap band surgery would be safe for you. I have had a very good experience with my lap band. I was banded on 1-27-09 and have lost 35 lbs. since my pre-surgery diet begain on 1-13-09. I exercise regularly and have been dieting because I want to lose the weight. I have been restricting my fat intake and trying to keep to under 10 fat grams per day. I use low fat and/or non fat milk, cheeses, etc. I eat a lot of Beans, black beans, pinto beans, and tuna and salmon for Protein rather than higher fat meats. This has worked out well because I'm still not on regular food -- still on mushies. So my weight loss has been quite good but I expect it will start to slow down to about 2 lbs. a week. I keep a food/exercise journal on www.thedailyplate.com which is a very good resource. You can start to use that before you get a surgical date if you want. My surgery went very well, I was up and walking the halls in the hospital the same afternoon/evening and had no complications or difficulties. I had very little pain and liquid tylenol took care of any discomfort, which was very minimal. I did a lot of research on the lap band before I made the decision and decided it was a good tool for me as I am able to lose weight on diets, but have a difficult time in keeping the weight off after I lose it -- that's why I believe the lap band will work for me -- it will help keep my portion sizes down after I lose the weight. It's still work to lose the weight, but it's a tool that does help you succeed. I wish you all the best and if you have any further questions, will be happy to try to answer them. I would also recommend you come to the support group meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at Mercy Capital -- it's in the same room as the original seminar you attended there. I attended in February and found it very informative. Linda

I am also just starting my lap band journey (banded 1/27). I have rods and screws in my back, bad knees and bursitis in my left leg. I started water aerobics before surgery and was able to continue one week after surgery (my doctor cleared me). I take 3 classes a week. I also ride a recumbent bike 20 mins. along with circuit training 3 days a week. I am getting much stronger already and believe I'll be able to increase my bike 5 mins. per day per week starting this week. I have lost 35 pounds since started the pre-surgery diet. Water aerobics is great for those of us just starting out and/or those with existing injuries. I'm also 57 so if I can do it, anyone can.

I just made this and it is quite tasty, so thought I'd share. 1 can white chicken 1/2 c. chopped onion 1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chilis 1 teas. taco seasoning 1 large can black Beans, undrained 1/ C. chicken broth 1 can 98% fat free cream of chicken Soup 2 oz. 2% velvetta cheese Cook onion with chicken broth, rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning and black beans for about 15 mins. until onion is soft. Add chicken, cream of chicken soup and cheese. Stir to mix well. Can be pureed before serving, or serve as is. Also good served with dollop of fat free sour cream. Makes about 4 servings, 3 grams of fat per serving. :frown:

I just made these delicious salmon patties which are appropriate for pureed foods or mushies. 1 10 oz. can salmon (no skin or bones, I used Members Mark from Sam's), drained 1 whole egg, 1 egg white (beaten together) 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 tsp. parsley (or 1 tbls. fresh chopped parsley) Black Pepper Progresso Italian bread crumbs and Panko italian bread crumbs Chop onion in food processor, add salmon, beaten eggs, parsley, pepper and 1/4 cup Progresso Italian bread crumbs. Pulse until well mixed. Pour a couple of tablespoons of Panko Italian Bread crumbs (or use Progresso as well, I like the crunch from the panko) onto a paper plate. Form into 6 patties and roll patties in bread crumbs. Heat 1 tsp. oil oil in large teflon skillet over medium heat -- when hot add patties and brown about 3 mins. on each side. I didn't add any additional oil and they still browned nicely on both sides. Serve hot with tarter sauce. Tarter Sauce: 4 Tbls. lowfat Hellman's mayo (1gram fat per 1 tbls.), 1 tsp. dijon mustard, 2 tsp. lemon juice and about 1/2 tsp dill relish. Mix together and serve with patties. You could also make tuna patties by substituting salmon for tuna. I am 13 days since surgery and could barely eat one of these for my meal, but it was very tasty after liquids for 3 weeks. Including tarter sauce, per recipe there were 19 grams of fat divided into 3 servings (2 patties each), comes to about 3.1 grams of fat and about 12.4 grams of Protein per serving of two patties. The only fat I am not counting is from the 1 tsp. of olive oil. :thumbdown:

I love curry! Thanks for that suggestion -- sounds yum. Linda

Yes, I'm aware they aren't "low fat," but they are a good, soft protein source.

Hi everyone. Long, you are a great inspiration, congratulations on your 100 lb. loss. I am just started to eat pureed foods. I had two week pre-op liquid diet and now two weeks post op. I am enjoying some real food, but can't eat much (for whcih I'm thankful). Not getting on the scale until tomorrow, trying to weigh in just once a week, but it's hard. Doctor gave clearance to go back to water aerobics, so will be adding that in starting Wednes. Thanks to you all for your advice and guidance. Linda

Yeah, but I'm an old fashioned girl and like my own meatballs.

Hi Pen, Glad to hear from you. I have been using the Gas X strips, but I'll try to remember to take them right before and right after. Like you said, it wasn't painful, just difficult to handle (especially at work). I am feeling restriction. I was totally full after I ate the eggs this afternoon and was satisfied until I had dinner around 6:00 tonight. I had my first carb -- I cooked a red potato and put some fat free butter on it and low fat sour cream and pureed it -- it was heaven. I also had one of my ham balls, and that filled me up. Either it's in my head or I really do feel restriction. So far, so good. I hope it continues. Hope to hear from some of the other Jan. 27 people. Linda

Hey, how is everyone doing? Let's not lose touch with each other, afterall, we are lapband sisters. I have had such horrendous gas since my surgery. I decided it must be the protein shakes because I also had terrible gas before surgery. I mean this is out of control and it was difficult to go to work. So, I switched to pureed foods on Friday and guess what? Most of the gas went away. So, I'm now trying to avoid protein drinks on the days I work. But have been experimenting with mushies. Today I finally had something that tasted good -- I made egg beaters southwest style -- they have some onions, peppers in them, they have a little spice and I added a little sprinkling of 2% velvetta cheese! God, I thought I died and went to heaven. I tried pureed refried beans the other day and they didn't taste great to me. I spent most of the weekend printing recipes off the recipe section here and stocked up on some ingredients today. I am making ham balls (and Iowa staple) and they are soft enough that I can have one pureed tonight and I'm really looking forward to that! Other than that, I've had some pureed soup and of course, sugar free jello, pudding and yogurts. I'm trying to stay low fat -- I want to continue to lose weight -- so I'm watching the fat content. Hope you are all doing fine and keep us posted on how your doing and how your feeling! Linda