tonya66

I'm staying on plan today because I didn't all weekend when I was in Nashville and I want to see the scales move down!

Seafood Stew – 3 tbl of olive oil ½ onion - diced 2 jal peppers – diced 2 gloves of fresh garlic diced– or you can use 3 tbl/4 tbl of the jar garlic 1 lb shrimp – cooked, peeled, and deveined 1 lb of cod – cut into cube pieces – you can also use any other type of whitefish. 1/2 lb of mussles – or use any other type of seafood you desire – clams would work 2 cans of petite diced tomatoes (do not drain) 1 10 oz jar of clam juice 2 cups of chicken broth 1 12 oz can of tomato sauce 1 bunch of cilantro - chopped 2 small zucchini – or 1 large – I think I use about 2 cups – diced up 1 tsp of cumin 2 tbl of garlic salt – this is not set in stone, you may need more or less depending on your taste 1/4 to ½ tsp of red pepper – again depending on your taste - very hot Garnish - Radishes, diced onion, diced jal pepper, shredded cabbage, avocado, diced limes to squeeze on top, hot sauce (salsa) and more fresh cilantro - all this for garnish In skillet sauté onion, diced peppers and garlic until tender. In a separate pan, mix the remainder of the ingredients and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and add the sautéed onion, pepper and garlic mixture. Cover and simmer for 20 min or until fish is done. You might wait until the end to add the garlic salt and red pepper to see how much you want to add. Do several taste test to see if seasoned to your liking. Make an arrangement of toppings to garnish with. It is delicious to squeeze some fresh lime juice over it and add some shredded cabbage. I add all of the garnishes to mine. This is how the Spanish culture serves it. They always squeeze a lot of lime over it. You could serve with some warm flour or corn tortillas for the family members who were not banded :embaressed_smile: Makes about 6 - 8 servings. A 1 cup serving is about 260 calories.

I'm so glad you like it. I think it will be a regular at my house too! I actually combined a few recipes to make this one. I added in a few of my favorite spices and woolah - my own recipe.

Pam, I just saw your post, I have been out of town. I had my surgery done by Dr. Gorospe and Dr. Kirk, here in Tulsa. My insurance paid for it, so that is why I went to them. Dr. Kirk is the one who does the fills, like I said, you will really like him. Well, you will lose slowly until you get that perfect "sweet spot". You'll get it, just be patient.

Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's) Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more! Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter. Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN :cursing: Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION - :frown: Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc. FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one! FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill. FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak. UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose. FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see.

Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's) Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more! Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter. Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION - Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc. FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one! FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill. FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak. UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose. FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see.

Well, just got back from FILL #12. I know I said I wasn't going to go, but I lost that restriction. I finally figured out, (DUMB ME) WHY all of a sudden I got good restriction after 1 month of my last fill. I PB'd, and that made me swollen, therefore giving me good restriction. duh. That lasted 1 week, then it went away. I freaked! I started thinking back and realized it was the PB that gave me restriction. What an idiot I am. So, I go in for fill #12, I know that just a little might do the trick, so he gave me 1/10th of a cc. I had to eat some peaches before I left, and I think this might be the fill. (I know - i've said that with every fill - lol) I guess its my hope! I believe I'm at right around 3.9cc's. Not sure because he didn't take any out of me this time, just gave me a little and that was it. Well, I'm off to Nashville tonight - Wt - 175.6 - yuck - I'm up again after losing that good restriction!

Well, just got back from FILL #12. I know I said I wasn't going to go, but I lost that restriction. I finally figured out, (DUMB ME) WHY all of a sudden I got good restriction after 1 month of my last fill. I PB'd, and that made me swollen, therefore giving me good restriction. duh. That lasted 1 week, then it went away. I freaked! I started thinking back and realized it was the PB that gave me restriction. What an idiot I am. So, I go in for fill #12, I know that just a little might do the trick, so he gave me 1/10th of a cc. I had to eat some peaches before I left, and I think this might be the fill. (I know - i've said that with every fill - lol) I guess its my hope! I believe I'm at right around 3.9cc's. Not sure because he didn't take any out of me this time, just gave me a little and that was it. Well, I'm off to Nashville tonight - Wt - 175.6 - yuck - I'm up again after losing that good restriction!

Pam - Good for you for exercising!!!! That is a key for sure to losing this ugly weight and becoming healthy! I just got back from FILL #12 - I think and I honestly believe this is going to be my last fill. I thought Fill #11 was, but I decided to go back and get a little more. This time he filled me only 1/10th of a cc, just a few drops. I wanted to tell you you, I got there at 10:58am and did not walk out the door until 1:44pm. So, it took almost 3 hours! About your port side, I know it is tender but by the 29th it will be less tender. He finds the port side with the x-ray, and ten draws a little dot so he knows here it is, so he doesn't poke too much. I can't wait to see how it went for you. Make sure you come back and post! I'm looking forward to watching your progress. The good news is, he is using a different formula to numb you up, it is WONDERFUL, no sting at all. I said why did you wait until my 12th fill to do this, lol. Anyhow, I am hoping this fill takes me to my goal!

Tracy - yep, it sure did freak me out! People are just nosey - but I'm to the point that I don't care as much about people finding out that I got the Band. But again, I am also thinking, what business is it of theirs?

Pam, I totally understand what you are going thru, I remember feeling the same way. It is quite normal for you to be hungry at this time. Most people feel the hunger until the 3rd fill. I was worried too about the fill my first time, but it is not that big of deal at all. When u go in, Dr. Kirk will give you a shot to numb the port area - that shot feels like a little bee sting. He numbs the area up good, then he will find the port under the flouro (xray machine). He will then inject the saline in the port area to fill the band, he will have you drink some some yucky tasting stuff that he can see go thru and see how fast it goes thru the band, this is where he tried to get you adjusted just right. My suggestion is as soon as you leave, go ahead and make yourself another appointment because it takes about 4 or so weeks to get in. More than likely you will need another fill, most people do. Feel free to ask any questions, I'll be happy to help.

Pam - you will love Dr. Kirk, he is so nice and funny. But, the bad news is, he does take a lot of paitents so when I go get a fill, its about a 2 hour sometimes 2 1/2 ordeal. So plan to be there a few hours. The prices have went up then, I thought he told me one time he charged $150 and the hospital charged $100, but sounds like its a bit more. I am going to see him tomorrow. I was going to cancel it because I feel I have pretty good restriction, however, I'm going to get just a tad more, I'm talking just a few drops. Hopefully this will be my last fill.

I used Dr. Gorospe in Tulsa, and he also required a seminar. I believe the makers of LapBand want you to be well informed before making a decision like this.

I'm a little late posting, just ran across your post. I did use Dr. G. Let me know if your still out there and want info.

Hello, I am from Tulsa. I had my surgery here in Tulsa by Dr. Gorospe. However, Dr. Kirk does the fills. He is in Owasso - which is just north of Tulsa. Dr. Kirk does a lot of fills for Mexico patients and he is absolutely wonderful. I believe the charge is $250 or $300 WITH flouro. That is the only way he will do a fill is with flouro. His number is 918-272-6333.

Name_________Start Weight___CurrentWeight______Goal________To Go *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600">:thumbup:</v:shapetype>***********:biggrin:*************:tt1:*******************:tt1:* agreatknead........237............201...........180...........21 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............251...........200...........51 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............219...........191...........28 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71...........223.4..........223.4.........189...........34.4 Claudine...........250............250.......... 225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............188...........170...........18 Cutiew/booty.......251............251...........220...........31 cQQlgirl...........195............195...........175...........20 crzytchr...........276............276...........246...........30 Dionna113..........199............198...........160...........38 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............232...........190...........42 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............150...........130...........20 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni 85............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............210...........185...........25 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............251...........200...........51 Liquidbluegal......225............220.4.........199...........21.4 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 lotzasunshine......292............290...........250...........40<v:shape id=_x0000_i1025 style="WIDTH: 21.75pt; HEIGHT: 15pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""> <v:imagedata o:href="http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/modern/thumbup1.gif" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Chm253198%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_ %20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20image004.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape> Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............295...........260...........35 MELISSA AGUIRRE....266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............252...........208...........44 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............199...........165...........34 srknepler..........285............285...........255...........30 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............171...........160...........11 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............236...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 youcandoit!........196............196...........162...........34

Jillbeme - can you tell me what your stats should read? I'll make sure it is updated. I just udated it, so I think it is correct

Today I'm wearing a size 10 jean, my shirt is tucked in and people can't quit complimenting me. Its really almost embarrasing. I'm so happy with my weightloss - I just cannot wait to get to 155 so I can be considered HEALTHY. Only 16 lbs to be healthy, wow, thats hard to believe. Now, that my weightloss is back on track, its time to get to the gym! Wt - didn't weigh this morning, running behind and forgot. But I doubt I am down any, had a lot of sodium yesterday so probably holding water. Exercise - 15 min on elliptical machine (so far today) plan on doing more this evening

Today I'm wearing a size 10 jean, my shirt is tucked in and people can't quit complimenting me. Its really almost embarrasing. I'm so happy with my weightloss - I just cannot wait to get to 155 so I can be considered HEALTHY. Only 16 lbs to be healthy, wow, thats hard to believe. Now, that my weightloss is back on track, its time to get to the gym! Wt - didn't weigh this morning, running behind and forgot. But I doubt I am down any, had a lot of sodium yesterday so probably holding water. Exercise - 15 min on elliptical machine (so far today) plan on doing more this evening

EVERYONE, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING THE LAST UPDATED CHART. I know what happens, you get an email regarding a post, you click on the link and you highlight that chart, not realizing that several have posted AFTER that chart. I've almost done it myself. So if you get an email that a new post has been posted, make sure you go to the last page and then copy the chart! This is the forth time I've corrected the postings just since this weekend - 2 times today alone. I am not the only one that corrects it either. Thanks all.

I'm just correcting the last post, they did not use the last updated chart when they posted. Name_________Start Weight___CurrentWeight______Goal________To Go *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600">:w00t:</v:shapetype>***********:cool2:*************:tt2:*******************:embaressed_smile:* agreatknead........237............201...........180...........21 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............251...........200...........51 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............219...........191...........28 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71...........223.4..........223.4.........189...........34.4 Claudine...........250............250.......... 225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............188...........170...........18 Cutiew/booty.......251............251...........220...........31 cQQlgirl...........195............195...........175...........20 crzytchr...........276............276...........246...........30 Dionna113..........199............198...........160...........38 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............232...........190...........42 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............150...........130...........20 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni 85............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............212...........185...........27 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............251...........200...........51 Liquidbluegal......225............220.4.........199...........21.4 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 lotzasunshine......292............290...........250...........40<v:shape id=_x0000_i1025 style="WIDTH: 21.75pt; HEIGHT: 15pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""> <v:imagedata o:href="http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/modern/thumbup1.gif" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Chm253198%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_ %20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20image004.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape> Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............295...........260...........35 MELISSA AGUIRRE....266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............252...........208...........44 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............199...........165...........34 srknepler..........285............285...........255...........30 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............171...........160...........11 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............236...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 youcandoit!........196............196...........162...........34

Oh what a great compliment BOOBOO! My 25 year reunion is coming up next year. However, I start meeting with the reunion committee the end of this month. I can't wait to see everyone because the last time they saw me was at the 20 year reunion and I was about 80 lbs heavier! My ex boyfriend (who totally broke my heart and dumped me cold) will be there. Ahhhhh, can't wait to see his face when he sees me! Yes, revenge is so sweet!

I think for many of us, we have been "big" for so long, people get used to seeing us that way. When we lose weight, they start thinking we are too skinny, mainly because they have never seen us look that way before. I am still at a 27 to 28 BMI, and people are telling me daily, quit losing weight, I'm starting to look "sick". Oh, how this pisses me off. What in the world do they think is their business. I am by no means anorexic, and I eat, I just eat healthy. I no longer eat the Cookies and huge meals, so they think I'm starving myself! Anyhow, my goal for now is to get to healthy BMI of 25. I will then work on improving that number regardless of what people think or say.

For me, it depends on the meal. Breakfast, I usually eat about 1/4 cup of weight wise oatmeal, or 1/2 container of low sugar, no sugar added yogurt. lunch, is about 1/2 cup of something, today I had fish Stew I made, and could only eat 1/2 of my containter - my container held about 1 cup, so I guess I ate about 1/2 cup. dinner - usually more like 1 cup of food. I eat 2 oz of meat, and a few veggies. Sometimes I eat 3 oz of Protein, just depends how my band is acting at that point.

Thanks for sharring and congratulations on a New You!