voiceomt2002

I'm doing fine, Bee. I've been eating solids for over a week, and while there have been challenges like learning to eat VERY SLOOWWWLLLLY, but overall it's easy to adjust. I blogged here about it. Weight loss did slow down. I'll warn you about that. However, let's be reasonable. The phenomenal loss we experience at first is somewhat unhealthy. Lena

re: constipation I think it's time for a new thread so others can either participate or not. I'll start, Bee.

Lactulose, huh? I'll look for it. My best friend suggests a stool softener, since the problem is related to too much meat and not enough fiber. We talk about the darndest things while exercising. You'd think two women around 50 with careers and hair-whitening pasts could find something better to talk about than poo.

Thanks, ladies. Your encouragement means a great deal to me. I'll approach my editor today. Fun thing is, she's diabetic and says my recipes work for her too. Sarah--My recipes on Fat Frog Diary are interspersed, with most in 2008. Lovely-- You make a good point. I happen to have two friends who are gastric bypass patients. I'll talk to Angela first. She's got a big, strapping cop of a husband to feed so she can't goof off with convenience foods like my other divorced friend Sandy.

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 was on liquids for a week, mushies for a week, and now I'm slowly introducing solids. Some still don't stay down, but that's okay with me. I'm not hungry, so I don't care. Lena

Yeah, but mine was constipation --a problem I have battled for years and years, so no surprise. Doc warned me it's a fairly common problem.

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. 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

Whew!! Thank you, Peanutband. I was worried there because I still don't feel hunger anymore, but above my band gets a little growl going in there to tell me it's time put something in. Only problem I have is constipation. Now that's getting annoying. My usual methods aren't as effective. Lena

Try this, Bella: Mocha Ricotta Creme 1/2 c. part-skim ricotta cheese 1/2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract 1 pkg sugar substitute (like Splenda) 1 dash espresso powder Mix together the ricotta, cocoa, vanilla, and Splenda in a small dessert bowl. (If you have a storage container with a lid, use that.) Serve chilled with just a dusting of espresso powder. Ricotta Creme can be made in many, many flavors-- depending on what you have for flavored extracts. A little sweetening, some Splenda, and you have a creamy dessert! You can also whirl up a few berries and some Splenda in the food processor to make a fruit sauce for your ricotta creme if you don't have carb restrictions. I couldn't eat 1/2 a cup, so a lidded storage container made it possible for me to save my "dessert" for the next meal.

You're ready, Carolina Mom. The gas is different every time, I think. I've had gas in my abdomen three times, and none were the same. Just take your Gas-X strips and chant, "This too shall pass." (grin) Lena

Good luck to you, Hope09! May your day tomorrow be full of joy and no pain. Lena

I ran a very unscientific poll among my friends. Most of us have what I call "the dumpster pile" in the back of the closet somewhere. It's that pile of clothes you can't wear because you gained weight, but you refuse to give up those beloved bits of wardrobe. I had four outfits in my "dumpster" along with assorted jeans and a few shirts my fat arms were too uncomfortable to wear. Driven by desperation, I rummaged through that pile yesterday, hoping against all hope that I'd hidden a few pieces of warm clothing in there. (We're having a hard freeze here in Florida --something few of us are prepared to face.) I pulled out a much-beloved denim duster and jeans combo. I bit my lip and tried it on. Not only did the jeans slide on, I had to adjust the belt! (Faint) Warm, warm, warm! The doorbell rang. I had a moment of panic and slipped on my clogs before racing to the door. Whew! UPS man delivering another package of promo items. "Wow, Mrs. A! You've lost weight! Looking good! I know it ain't clean living, ma'am. My wife reads your books." I laugh, sign his electronic thing, and tell him I have a new LapBand. His jaw drops. Seems his wife wants one. Now he's anxious to tell her and pulling out his cell as he hops back in the truck. I go back to my fashion show in my closet and reap two more outfits out of the dumpster pile. A darn good day. Lena

Tonight I cooked a meal I couldn't have: pork chops with an apricot sauce, despite the fact it's low carb. My healing isn't done, and even chicken still presents difficulties passing the stoma. While my DH and roomie attacked the "normal" food, I hummed happily and turned to the fridge to find some mushies. Then I stopped. I was shocked to realize I wanted the veggies, but no meat. Was I nuts? Didn't I want a nice juicy slab of animal? Uh, no. Not really. I pondered this while I pulled out the kale, rutabaga, and broccoli I'd cooked a couple of days ago, deliberately overcooking them to the correct "mushie" stage. Tsking over the limp and soggy state of the broccoli, I chose it first. Zapped in the microwave, that serving lasted me about the same amount of time as the guy's massive portions. (I'm really getting into this serving myself a la russe --one course at a time.) The guys piled back into the kitchen and scooped great big second helpings while I daintily picked up the kale and warmed it in the microwave. Dante, my roomie, helped himself to a bit of the kale with me, but my carnivore husband disdained the veggies. By the time I'd finished my "dessert" of mashed rutabaga with a bit of Splenda Brown, the guys were burping and patting their stomachs happily. (snicker) Yes, they're both "manly men." They show appreciation by acting like apes. I'm still a bit surprised at myself four hours later. If I'd wanted protein, there's eggs, cottage cheese, tuna, and even some Spam. (It's a mushie meat that passes my stoma. Compared to chicken, it slides down easy.) I don't want it. I'd better think about a protein drink or something.

I'm needle phobic. Doc knows this, but he may not remember. Then again, I may not need a fill. I still can't eat some meats, and definitely not more than 2 oz by volume.

Oh, gawd. Now I'm scared to death of the 5th. (whimper)