FighterGirl

i am 5'10 and my goal weight is 200. my doctor's do not want me below 190

Picadillo because it gives you flavorful Protein and you can serve with anything. You can have lettuce wraps, tortillas, tacos, with rice and Beans, with eggs.... 1 medium onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground beef 1/4 cup stuffed pimento olives, chopped Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Crushed red pepper flakes 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce ( or chopped tomatoes) In a large skillet over medium heat, saute onions, garlic, and pepper in olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add ground beef and olives and continue stirring to break up and brown the meat. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. When beef has browned, add tomato sauce gradually while stirring. Cook 1 to 2 minutes longer to incorporate sauce sometimes i substitute the olives with golden raisins and add some toasted almonds...or i keep the olives and add it anyway

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I decided to cut out any little bad habits that I did not notice at first that I have developed after being banded for such a long time. Like creamer in my coffee and things like that. It may also be time to challenge myself to a nmuch much harder work-out...I think it is time to give those biggest loser people a run for their money

Well good luck and keep us updated!

gas-x, moving around and a heating pad helps like none other

I have lost 120 lbs

lettuce is not my friend unlessit is shredded i eat baby spinach now it has more flavor and more nutrints

I love sweets also. I learned that you can find better choices that still satisfy. I am a choclate fiend too and I love the sugar free pudding pops because the texture seems almost like cheating and one pop is only 20 calories. I do not eat them very often but it is a nice quilt free way to satisfy the craving. Grilled fruit is something that is amazing to get that sweet tooth especially pit fruits like plums and peaches

great plan because hopefully it will be way too big for you

I wore loose PJs. Comfort is key, so go for the muu muu

I was recently rebanded What is the percentage rate for another slippage after repaired? I have no numbers, but this has a lot to do with your surgeon. I was told that the only way I would not be rebanded was if I had too much bleeding or too much scar tissue. Did you pay for your repair and if so how much? No, my insurance covered it Has anyone heard of insurance covering the cost of an repair if they wouldn't cover the original surgery? no I am pregnant and can't have my band repaired at this time. Has anyone heard of any bad complications for waiting to have the surgery? Have you spoken with your surgeon? I am trying to go over the causes of slippage...too tight, throwing up, sodas, ....these come to mind. What are some other reasons for slippage? What if none of these applied to me? I was told that it somtimes can simply shift. Do you wish you had another surgery? No because of the complications I have seen people have with it. I During your period does your band get really tight? No Are slippage rates higher for those who travel outside of America?

I joined back in 2003 when I first had surgery, but recently needed to be rebanded due to complications. So, I thought a new name was in order.

It is very strange. My nutritionist seemed to be on a very different page than my doctor and continued to give me bad advice on eatting, so my doctor continued to tighten my band. I started getting really sick and got a slippage. I lived with it open for a year, but then developed really bad acid reflux and bad stomach pains. My doctor decided that I was a good candidate for revision surgery and luckily for me my band did not need to be removed. She cut out as much scar tissue as she couldand gave me a larger band. Complications will arise with this being such a new thing, so do not be afraid to communicate with your surgeon's office.

I think the coolest thing about being banded is I became more willing to try other foods. One of my fave on the road things is hummus with fresh veggies...you can get it at any middle eastern resturant. chicken satay from thai places del taco has really tender chicken wendy's chilli with a plain baked potato...put the chilli on the potato. yum when i am on the road i try to take things with me mostly. a coller with things for lettuce wraps, popcorn, fruit and all other good portables.

Do not say cheater. Say you are a human...going through the starter stags of banding is so hard and of course you want to test the limits. Just remind yourself of all you have been through to get to the point of being banded and that you want to stay that way. Trust me, these 6 weeks may seem like they are taking forever, but enjoy its simplicity. Take it slowly so that you can heal properly and take advantage of all the benefits of being banded. One thing that I realized was not to be afraid to call your surgeon's office or your nutritionist with these questions...so if you want to know something about extending your diet give he/she a call.

italian - grilled veggies or a good veggie based appetizer with cheese chinese - you have to know what resturants cook tender meats and that is the key. pepper steak is really good from the right resturant seafood - i stick to soft flaky fish...usually steamed if that is an option

i hate diets. i remember when i was 10 my mom coaxed me into doing that diet (it had a diff name then) and i failed miserably. it takes a lot of discipline...good luck to all who try it.

liquids are a very tricky phase and take tons of patience. i have no great recipes,but i know not watching television realy helped. all those dang nab food commercials just about drove me nuts.