voiceomt2002

Congratulations!! I'll be envious for now, though I've already gone down two dress sizes myself. There'll be another two before I see 18, though.

I agree with RestlessMonkey! You gotta get up and move as soon as you can and keep moving. It means less pain from the gas, more settling of your disturbed insides, more circulation, and faster healing. You don't have to do a marathon, as Restless said. Take a walk. I could drive starting on Day 3 after surgery, and by golly walking around Wal-Mart was a whole lot better than staring mindlessly at the TV.

The first day, I hurt enough for some liquid Lortab, but I stayed overnight due to severe sleep apnea and a hernia repair. The next day, I was good to go home and used Liquid Tylenol for that little bit of pain I did feel. I've got a big old bottle of Lortab I've never even opened. It's been a month, and I returned to work fairly quickly.

Good for you, Last! We're all in this together, no matter what. Lena, one of the first of January '09

Congratulations, Bella!! (Throwing confetti in the air!) Lena

Swellmom and I are very alike. I have severe sleep apnea, and I had to bring my machine to the hospital. Due to other problems caused or made worse by my obesity, I had to stay overnight in the hospital and my CPAP machine was a godsend. (Patting the little black box that saved my career.) Since surgery, my apnea has already improved in just one month. I went in to get some supplies for my machine and brought the SmartCard. A download from the card revealed I have less than one episode per night now! That's an amazing turnaround. The test isn't painful at all. The sleep center where I took my test was decorated like a small hotel room and very comfy. They do want you to sleep well, after all. (grin) If you do end up diagnosed with apnea, be grateful they caught it. The pleasure of that first night with an adjusted machine set just for you is wonderful and refreshing. Okay, so you feel a bit like Darth Vader. The restful sleep is well worth feeling as if you'll say, "Luke! I am your father!" (giggle)

Wow, Glenda!! That's a great site. Thank you so very much. I've been very, very naughty the past two days and deserve a D minus. While I did try to choose wisely, I ended up both days in situations where I gave up and ate carbs. Bad Lena! I could sure use those carb grades.

I was surprised when our roomie came running into the living room on Wednesday night. He's normally a somewhat dignified guy. "Lena!! Your diet works even for those not trying to diet!" Seems the pants he had on were a pair he'd not worn in several years. LOL! Dante's now a dedicated low-carb dieter-who's-not-dieting. Then my youngest daughter calls from Colorado. "Mom, I've got only 25 pounds to lose before I can join the military. Tell me more about this low carb diet thing." Seems she's taking over the kitchen of her roommates and making them all go low carb! Even the guy who normally can get away from diets because he's allergic to some vegetables can't escape. Low carb is meat, dairy, and THEN vegetables. He can't escape! Muahahaha!! Even I discovered the joys of eating in a restaurant with friends. We went on a quilting day trip to St. Simon's Island in Georgia. At a lovely seafood restaurant, the only thing not breaded, fried and/or full of calories was a crab cake. One-half 5oz appetizer cake, and I was full! I was so proud. More later! Today, I'm going to a medieval faire in full regalia! LOL!

I was surprised when our roomie came running into the living room on Wednesday night. He's normally a somewhat dignified guy. "Lena!! Your diet works even for those not trying to diet!" Seems the pants he had on were a pair he'd not worn in several years. LOL! Dante's now a dedicated low-carb dieter-who's-not-dieting. Then my youngest daughter calls from Colorado. "Mom, I've got only 25 pounds to lose before I can join the military. Tell me more about this low carb diet thing." Seems she's taking over the kitchen of her roommates and making them all go low carb! Even the guy who normally can get away from diets because he's allergic to some vegetables can't escape. Low carb is meat, dairy, and THEN vegetables. He can't escape! Muahahaha!! Even I discovered the joys of eating in a restaurant with friends. We went on a quilting day trip to St. Simon's Island in Georgia. At a lovely seafood restaurant, the only thing not breaded, fried and/or full of calories was a crab cake. One-half 5oz appetizer cake, and I was full! I was so proud. More later! Today, I'm going to a medieval faire in full regalia! LOL!

GordoNoMore, I'm loving the low carb life! This is the first "diet" (call it a food regimen or meal plan) where I've been not only successful, but actually enjoying myself in the kitchen again. Sure, I still watch the calories because I'm not stupid enough to think calories don't matter, but it's those carbs that have sabotaged me for years. One doughnut sinks my battleship. Who couldn't love Sherried Fillet Steaks that are literally little more than sherry deglazing the pan you cooked the steaks in, salt, pepper, whipping cream, and a tiny bit of terragon? How easy can you get for a meager 267 calories and 3g carbs? YUM!

I'm now eating solids again, and boy-oh-boy, the band does help, even when it's not filled. If I eat more than about 2-3 oz of meat or eat too quickly, I *will* be sick. Guaranteed. And darned uncomfortable until I do yark it up, let me tell you! I finally found the techniques that works for me: 1. Measure! You can't keep an accurate record without correct measures, much less be sure you don't overfill. By simple averages it became very clear 2 ounces is my usual limit. 2. Put down the fork between bites. Example: Cut up the deviled egg. I snarfed one down in three bites and yarked it up. Cutting one into quarters and eating them slowly ensured they stayed down. My mini-food processor helps, but sometimes I can just cut up my food very small. Putting down the fork between bites works best, even if my food sometimes gets cold before I'm done. I know where the microwave is. 3. Eat a la russe (one small course at a time). By eating one tiny course at a time, you don't get the guiltiness about not "cleaning your plate." Because my doc insists on low carb, I eat the meat first. Then I go back for the veggies, if there's room. It can take me as long as it takes the guys to eat 2-3 big helpings! I may switch this, though. Sorry doc, but I think I need the fiber from the veggies. What amazes me is the pitiful cries of boredom I’m hearing from my fellow bandsters. I’m going nuts because I have too many choices of food to cook and eat! And that’s if I don’t want to “play with my food” and create my own recipes. Sure, I can only eat 2 oz at a time, but most of the time it keeps for another meal later. The guys are pigging out on anything I cook and even my DH, "Mr. Meat and Potatoes" is loving my new recipes. (Not to mention my figure.) I’ve been posting many recipes at my regular blog, http://fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com but maybe my editor at Aspen Mountain had a good point. Maybe I should write a LapBand Cookbook. Hmm.

I'm really getting annoyed now. I've tried my favorite pink pill (crushed) and even went out at 7 AM today to buy Ex-Lax. I still haven't gone, and it's been three whole days. :thumbup: This is getting ridiculous and dangerous. Guess I'm going to have to get medieval on my body and...Yes...do an enema if things don't improve tomorrow. Doc warned me this might happen. It's a combination of the low-carb diet and the fact that I have a band. Means I don't get enough fiber. Maybe Metamucil? Lena

Hooray!! The Miralax is working!! As long as I take it every day, I'm going regularly! Oh, happy--happy--happy! I even went to a restaurant while on a day trip with my quilting friends! I at half a little 5oz crab cake and was full! Woohooo!!

1. meal replacement shakes 2. Scrambled eggs, omelets and fritattas 3. Baked fish, chicken or turkey. I did use a mini-food processor, but only to chop the meat into tiny chunks, not all the way to a puree. 4. Lean ground beef, finely crushed. (I didn't manage this until toward the end of my mushy phase. It wouldn't stay down.) 5. Dried beans, peas, and lentils -- well cooked to mush 6. Cottage cheese and ricotta cheese, mixed with Splenda and flavorings. (No fruit except well-processed berries) 7. Egg, chicken, tuna, or turkey salads.

I'm getting my first fill on the 5th. I'm soooo nervous! I'm scared of needles. (grulp)

I feel better. Spent yesterday in the bathroom. (whew!) I called the doc's office and they want me to get Miralax and take it daily. My wallet will whimper, but at least I won't suffer. I hope.

Think of it this way, TK -- You'll lose more weight than I in your first month. I spent most of last week yarking over a toilet finding out what I could and couldn't eat of solid foods, and most of the time I ate mushies anyway. You're likely to lose twice the weight in the first few weeks than I. Now that I can eat solids, my weight loss has slowed down to nearly nothing, and I'm constipated as H***. I've got to pull together some serious self-discipline in a hurry! In fact, I'm going back to some Meal Replacement shakes as of today. My body doesn't care what I put in it, as long as it's filling that tiny pouch. So, I'm skipping Breakfast (I usually do anyway) and having a meal replacement shake for lunch, then a low-carb meal for dinner. If I do get hungry, I'll make some deviled eggs or crudites for Snacks. Lena

I never take in more than 1000 calories a day, and most of the time it stays below 800. Big thing I have problems with is carbs, especially when my DH snarfs down Oreos like there will be a shortage tomorrow.

I'll be serving a Cajun Stir-Fry instead of a high-carb chili. 1 T. olive oil 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1" cubes 1/3 lb. smoked turkey kielbasa, cut into 1/2" slices 1/2 c. chopped onion 2 cloves of garlic, pressed (I use the minced from a jar instead, about 1 tsp.) 3/4 c. chopped green bell pepper (about one pepper) 3/4 c. chopped red bell pepper 3/4 c. chopped yellow bell pepper 1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced 1 med. Roma tomato, diced 3 tsp dried basil 3 tsp dried oregano 3 tsp. dried parsley flakes 1 tsp. Cajun seasoning (I recommend Tony Chacere's, if you can get it.) 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper (fresh ground is best) *** 1 T. cornstarch 2 T. cold Water Heat the oil in a skillet (I used my electric skillet) set to medium high heat. Stir fry the chicken, kielbasa, onion, and garlic until onion is transluscent and tender. Add the peppers, mushrooms, tomato, herbs, and seasonings, right up to the stars in the list. Cook and stir until the chicken is cooked through. Take a small jar (baby food jars are great for this) and put in the cornstarch and water. shake until you make a slurry. Add the mix to the skillet. (Wash that jar now!) Bring it all to a boil; cook and stir constantly until the sauce is thick. Serves 4, immediately. Note to bandsters: cut that kielbasa up into tiny bits or you'll be very, very sorry. Per serving: 235 calories 8g fat 25g Protein 17g carbs 4g dietary Fiber 89 mg cholesterol 875 mg sodium.

Hi Oregondaisy! Thanks for moderating, and congrats on reaching your goal. Mine seems so far away, right now. (sigh) Lena

Okay, I just talked to my doc's office. When Metamucil is ineffective, try Benefiber or Miralax. Also, keep yourself well hydrated. While Miralax is much more expensive, I think I'll go for that one. I've used it before and know it works well with my system. Why monkey around if you know something works? But, while I'm there at the pharmacy, I think I'll buy a bottle of milk of magnesia, just in case. Lena

I can manage one whole egg, depending on how it's cooked. Two ounces at a time of just about anything is it. I just managed to keep down an ounce of beef this weekend. I've been back to work since the Monday after my surgery, but I put myself on a light schedule that first week and had my wonderful assistant do a lot. Now I'm back in full swing! Woohoo!

While at first I could barely manage the Meal Replacement shakes, eventually I could have things like Diet V-8 Splash, thin Soups (strained), broth, and SF Jello. That was all I wanted for most of that week. However, toward the end I did want something a little more. Then I started drinking the broths when I made roasts or similar meals for my DH. I cooled the broth to get the fat to congeal, removed it, and warmed up the rest for a taste similar to what my family ate. For instance, we have an old family recipe that starts with saving all the leftover juices and small bits from when you cook canned vegetables. We save it in a freezer container layer by layer. When the container is full, we add bits and bones from beef roast leftovers we also save. I made up this "Pot Liquor Stew" and strained it with a collander so I could have just the broth. It's thicker than plain old Soup, and a lot more savory. Helped me make it through those last few days until the doc said I could have mushies. Those Depression Era recipes sure are relevant for us right now. Lena

Okay. I used to take Miralax in my morning beverage and that worked reasonably well. (Took me awhile to find the reference in my old notes.) I've called Dr. Baptista and left a message.

I have some Metamucil. I'll give that a try. The tea I have is Smooth Move. Normally, that's reasonably effective but lately hasn't helped much. Lena