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Blog 93702
 

Recipe Of The Day! Babaganoush

Baba ganoush, a Middle Eastern spread and dip is similar to hummus, but is made with eggplant instead of chickpeas (garbanzo beans). So if you are looking for a low calories spread and dip or even a snack this is it, and so tasty too! ENJOY!   Makes 8 servings (2 cups)   Active Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes   80 Calories Per Serving   CHECK OUT MY BLOG FOR MORE INFO ON THIS RECIPE AND SO MANY MORE:thumbup: http://life-after-lap-band.blogspot.com/
Debra G

Debra G

0
Blog 88752
 

Happiness is a warm puppy!

....and knowing that I've done something good for me:tt1:! I've said this before and I'm gonna say it again: if I don't lose another pound, the surgery was still worth it! I'm no longer pre-diabetic, have elevated blood pressure or edema, I've learned how to eat properly and my self-esteem is awsome! Like anyone else I have my downs too (which is why I started blogging), but the good things happen much more often now!!:w00t: Everyday is a challenge I'm willing to take head on! Someone at work the other day said to me, "Lemme look at you. I don't know what it is about you?! You're just so damn cute! You just shine!":laugh: Made my day! I love knowing that my positive well being is showing that much! And thank you all too, for being out there and giving advice when needed! Blogging really helped to get me out of my slump of sadness.:biggrin: I highly recommend it:wink2: (cheap therapy). Have a wonderful weekend! Tina
Carosel2002

Carosel2002

2
Blog 75574
 

Just a few weeks till the Wedding, still 9 to go!

Ok, SO now I have to up my exercise program to push off these added lbs. 9 still to go.   I so want to see what a size 12 would look like and "feel" like on. That is my goal, not the weight exactly, but that elusive size 12.   I know some people are thinking, a size 12! That is a Fat Persons size. But not for me. I don't want to be a size 8 anymore, I am a Granny. I need a Granny Lap! LOL   I am healthy and that is first and foremost important for me. I can live with a 12.   Have a Blessed DAY!   Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NLT:smile:
janetsjourneytoslim

janetsjourneytoslim

7
Blog 3374
 

`3 weeks food

It's been 3 weeks and 2 days since my operation and I'm supposed to be on mushy food. I can manage some very soft cereal and milk in the morning and for lunch usually a fruit smootie w added protein powder stuff or some kind of soup.. In the afternoon I usually have a milky iced coffee and at night I can manage 2 or 3 tablespoons of mushed up chicken w some vegetables. Today I was starving at lunch time, and my family are having a barbeque, so I mushed up a bit of potatoes, cauliflower and chicken, but only managed 1 or 2 teaspoons of it, wasn't very nice:mad:. I think I will just continue with the shakes, even though my nutritionist would rather I had proper food, just mushed up, to get all the nutrients. I'm taking vitamins since the pre-op diet anyway, so I'm not that worried. I lost about 22 pounds since the operation plus 4 pounds with the preop diet, so I'm happy with that:thumbup1: Anybody else around who had the operation recently and what experience with are you having??
chilo1

chilo1

0
Blog 84891
 

I felt like I cheated

Last night my husband and I went out to dinner with friends and I'm only 9 days post-op. I'm allowed to have soft foods, so I checked the menu before we left the house. Luckily, my husband got caught up at work so we didn't get to dinner until after they had appetizers. I had grilled salmon over a caesar salad (which wasn't a salad at all but some romaine leaves (not chopped) with a little dressing drizzled over). It actually was perfect because the salmon was huge. I also had a glass of red wine. So I just cut some lettuce (I can't tell you how much I chewed and chewed!) and ate 1/2 of my salmon. I don't have restriction yet, but I definitely felt like I was full. I played with my food a lot, so I don't think with all the talking, that anyone noticed I barely ate the lettuce and only ate 1/2 my salmon. My husband finished it for me. I felt like I cheated with the wine, but I drank that one glass while everyone else had 3-4 drinks, so I decided to let it go. I was reminded today on another post that the weight didn't come on overnight, and it's not going to leave overnight...one glass of wine isn't going to break me!
Lap2Fab

Lap2Fab

3
Blog 91830
 

33 lbs down in 3 months

Hi Everybody! I have been so slack in signing in and posting. Things have been doing very good. I have had 1 fill and ready for the next. My stomach growls now, I'm talking really loud. I don't have enough restriction, looking forward to the feeling full longer. I hope everyone is having great success with very few complications. I have to remind myself, "this weight didn't get put on overnight and it certainly won't just disappear overnight.   Good luck!
Holtzclawk

Holtzclawk

4
Blog 78548
 

So Happy

Yay I went to my dr. for another fill and he told me that i had lost 7lbs yay that's a small little puppy. It's a little hard cause i don't eat as much as i did before but my mind thinks bigger them my pouch....lol I will keep you all posted with my progress... thanks guy's....:biggrin:
ellaal01

ellaal01

5
Blog 94821
 

Sick of being hungry!!!

I dont understand why I am soooooo hungry and others arent. My stomach churns constantly and it's very uncomfortable. I am very close to eating something I really shouldnt. This is crappy and I have to wait 3 more wks before my first fill. That is crazy!!!!! Surely there is something I can do to make this go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ebtkm5

ebtkm5

5
Blog 3370
 

Getting Nervous

My big fat brain is starting to mess with me. For some reason the closer this date gets the more nervous I have become.   I have a beautiful and intelligent daughter who is almost 6 and starts Kindergarten next Monday. Only 3 days before my surgery. She comes looking for me if I am in the bathroom a bit longer than she thinks I should have been, just to check on me and walks away. She has a very sweet and pure heart.   Then I have a beautiful yummy rolly 19 month old girl with eyes bigger and bluer than any sky you have ever seen. No matter if it's when I pick her up in the morning from her crib to feed her breakfast or just running to the grocery store down the street after only 4 minutes in the car, she has a giant smile on her face with little white popcorn looking teeth. Sometimes she can't handle it inside of herself and must squeel in order to contain herself.   I know tomorrow is never guaranteed. My 6 year old will have fague memories of me holding her close and rubbing her belly, giving her "baby messages" after a bath, sharing my Lavender night scents speficically for her.   However my baby would have very itt memories of ME. People can tell someone that another person loved them but I dont want resentment toward either of my babies. I don't want one mad at the other because she got more time with me.   I know being on liquids for so long is not a good idea and that my banded days are coming to an end but I am down right terrified of Anesthesia. I have Epilepsy and with both you know you will lose consciousness but never know when. Then you wake up not sure who or what is going on around you. I'm always looking for my kids are scared someone is trying to hurt me or even worse my kids. I've warned those with the magic juice that knock me out then they just stand there acting shocked when I try to get a good right hook in.   I have 5 days until my clear liquid diet on Wednesday. 5 Days to fight the urge to cancel or reschedule. So we can see. I guess I have until they put the magic shot of juice in right? :huh0:
Carrie

Carrie

0
Blog 94643
 

I am approved

While taking my endoscopy, which everything is fine. I got a call from my surgeon's office that I have been approved by the insurance company. Now I am excited. My date is 9/22.:biggrin::thumbup:
papoose

papoose

1
Blog 85448
 

Admitting I'm a Binge Eater

When I'd finally reached the end of my rope with my weight last fall and began the process of considering and applying for WLS one of the things my surgical practice required was an "essay" on why I wanted WLS. I posted that essay at the beginning of my blog. One thing I commented about myself somewhat laughingly was that I am a "bulimic who doesn't vomit", thinking that I was a rare bird or that I didn't really have a problem. Recently, my NUT recommended, OVERCOMING Binge Eating by Dr. Christopher Fairburn. What an eye-opener! I'm not uncommon and I'm not alone. Sadly, I never felt comfortable telling my doctors about my secret problem. I'm a classic Type-A; organized, perfectionist, Miss-do-it-all, not willing to admit weakness. In fact these are traits often possessed by a bulimic/binge eater. Handling stress, disappointments and sadness but stuffing it down - metaphorically and physically. I now know that if I'd had the courage to reveal my weakness, maybe I could've gotten help before I got to the point of considering WLS. I find it some what distressing, that no doctor - including my surgeon, and their affliated dietitian, and psychologist - ever picked up on it - even when it was there in writing and there was no evidence that anyone had ever addressed this problem with me. So here I am - most of the weight I've lost since banding in March has been pre-surgical. I'm not gaining - I'm stuck at 238. I'm still binging but for the obvious reason, I can't consume as much. I'm still not getting straight answers from my surgical practice and no one there has bothered to bring up the obvious - Jill...why aren't you losing weight? So I'm starting to work through this problem on my own - the above book has a Part II; a self-help workbook - and still looking for the right therapist. There is no way that anyone who says WLS was the easy way out has a clue as to what I'm (and I'm sure a number of fellow bandsters) are dealing with - it's not just the surgery, it's everything else that's coming out as a result. Pray for me as I will for you.
RavenClaw779

RavenClaw779

4
Blog 1834
 

Sleeved with Jose Rodriquez 8/16!!

Monday 8/16 I flew down to El paso, TX. Crossed the border via Amigo Shuttle, with a driver by the name of Sergio. Sergio took me and three other people to the Star Medica Hospital. There was a guy that was getting a lap band fill for the first time, a guy that was getting a VSG, his wife who was tagging along for moral support and of course myself who also got the VSG done. We made it to the Star Medica hospital around 11 am. We checked in and they did our labs (bloodwork, chest x-ray, ekg etc) and started an IV.   After the labs came back normal I was told i would be going into surgery at around 3 oclock. Sure enough I was wheeled to the OR around 3 oclock, met the anesthesiologist and was given something for anxiety. It could just be my active imagination but right after she gave me that anti-anxiety agent i became a heck of alot more anxious and agitated out of no where until i eventually fell asleep!! :huh0:   When i woke up from my "nap" I was in a lot of pain!! All i remember was tossing my head from side to side and repetitively saying pain over and over again. I also remember feeling like i could not breath, this part was the scariest for me. I guess since i was in such distress and restless i just wasnt able to think straight and i was snatching my oxygen mask off of my face. By this time i think the only nurse that was in the post op room with me did not speak english but some kind of way i managed to point upwards as a sign for her to kick the o2 up and she did. Immediately i was able to breathe better and felt like a rock had been lifted off of my chest. I was given something for pain but it seemed as though nothing worked because i was still repeating "pain" over and over again....   As a side note i can tell that the nurse did get frustrated with me because nothing seemed to help with the pain until i guess I eventually just fell asleep.   When i woke up i was back in my room and the pain was still there. A million and one thoughts was running through my head. Why did i do this? Do i have a perforated bowel? Do i have a leak? Is this just the way my body is responding to the procedure? I was having buyer's remorse and prayed that everything was okay.   I stayed on my call light complaining about my pain the first couple of hours after surgery. I remember my nurse saying "Im going to give you an IM injection this time. This is so good stuff" In my head i was like YES!! But to no avail the pain was still there. The only thing the meds were really doing that i could tell was helping me go to sleep. By the middle of the night i woke back up and decided to MAKE MYSELF walk. Hoping it would help relieve some of the gas pain. I walked a little while and boy it does make a difference. I got back in the bed and used my heating pad and gas x strips.MMM i love my heating pad :thumbup: Thanks to everyone who suggested i take one. I'de be dead without it. Lol J/K. But it did make a world of difference with helping manage the gas pains.   The second day i felt ALOT BETTER! I got up to walk more and I even took a shower. It actually felt better to be up and about than to be in the bed. I was cleared to be able to chew on ice chips and this also seemed to help.   Third day walked, followed clear liquid diet, still in pain but not as bad as the prior days. I went down for a swallow study to test for leaks and everything came back fine. I was also given a copy to take home with a neat xray of my esophogus and tummy. In exchange for 50 bucks someone brought up an RX of prilosec, rapix for pain, and macrobit (sp?) which is an antibiotic.   The fourth day was discharge day. This day not much pain more like discomfort.   Overall the experience was pretty good. The chick in the post op sx area really pissed me off. But whatever its over and done with.Everyone else was so nice and accommadating. Not all of the nurses or aides spoke spanish but all the doctors did. If they could not figure out what i was talking about, which was not often by the way, they would get someone who did undertstand. The other guy who had the VSG was not to happy about the pain either. He even had a really bad headache afterwards. Im guessing probably from the anesthesia. But i thought he was doing better than i was until after his wife came to check in on me (that was soooo sweet of her b/c i was in another country by myself) but from what she was saying i was up and walking before he was. So i know the pain thing just wasn't a "figment of my imagination." They were really nice ppl and if they just so happen to visit this site i appreciate you guys! Well that is all i can think of right now. If you have any questions please feel free to send them to me.   By the way the surgery was coordinated through Belightweight. My Dr. was Jose Rodriquez. He is a very friendly guy. I only have 3 tiny little incisions. It would have been two but my liver was a little enlarged. Wonder why . My coordinator name was Jamie. She is great. She even called to check on my this morning. And i am doing fine. A little sore when i woke up but i will live. Mekia
xstylinnomoneyx

xstylinnomoneyx

0
Blog 99692
 

7 days after surgery

Hello all Im alil new to this. Hope it work. Two nights ago I slept on my stomach now I have sharp pains on the right side of my tummy...I cant move or stand up or bend over the pain shoots in and almost bring me to my knees in pain...Can anyone relate:sad:
losing77

losing77

1
Blog 2817
 

Day 3 0f pr-op diet

I've already noticed some changes with the presurgery diets. I'm already back in my "good" bras. They're snug but I couldn't even get them fastened 6 weeks ago! My close are loosening up and at least some of them don't hurt anymore. This may be gross but its already easier to wipe my behind.LOL! My feet aren't swelling up like they were and although they still ache with arthritis, they seem some better. I have COPD but its seems I can walk some further without getting winded. All of these are little things but it makes me dream of how much better its gonna get. Day 3 of pre-op diet and going strong. I got a little hungry yesterday but it was time for my snack. After I had it I was fine. I really am gonna do this!:huh0:
branc1

branc1

2
Blog 93702
 

Recipe Of The Day! Stuffed Veggie Shells

This mouth watering dish has some bold flavors that you, your family and friends will love. They will forget that this is a meatless dish. ENJOY!   Makes 6 servings   Active Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes   382 Calories Per Serving(2 shells for 382 calories)   CHECK OUT MY BLOG FOR THIS RECIPE AND SO MANY MORE:thumbup: http://life-after-lap-band.blogspot.com/
Debra G

Debra G

2
Blog 99682
 

1 day post-op..

Hi everyone..this is my first post on the blog.. Yesterday i had my lap-band® procedure done by the amazing Dr. Timothy Ehrlich at Griffin Hospital in CT ..im taking in liquids really well and only felt a little bit of nausea right after surgery, but otherwise i am just feeling really sore in my abdominal area. Does anyone know how long it takes for that pain to go away?? Any input is appreciated! Thanks! :biggrin:
Rachael1284

Rachael1284

4
Blog 81574
 

Day 15 & 16 of 27

For those of you paying close attention, yep I skipped day 15! On Tuesday I was suppose to get up and work out and I just laid in bed and didn't do it, I told myself I will go tomorrow. HA! I didn't go Wednesday either! Major case of lazy ass. Oh well. Here was what I was suppose to do: As many rounds as you can do for 30 minutes: 8 push ups
10 sit ups
Jump rope for 3 minutes
Here is what I did: Lay in bed. :biggrin:   OK so on to day 16, here is what I was suppose to do: 20 seconds "on", 10 seconds "off" for 8 rounds. 1 minute rest between 8 round sets: Push ups
Squats
Sit ups
Tuck jumps
Here is what I did: Rode my bike to the park .96 mile I can do 12 push ups and squats in 20 seconds but only 10 sit ups and 10 tuck jumps So a total of 12 rounds. 144 push ups 144 squats 120 sit ups 120 tuck jumps Rode home.   I feel pretty good today. I went yesterday and got fitted at a real running shoe store in Dallas for a new pair of shoes and I am hopeful that they are going to help with my heel spur pain.   Plus, while I was in Dallas I had .2 of a cc taken out of my band. I had told my husband that I would stop losing weight and then promptly lost 2 pounds in 10 days so I need to be able to eat more since I don't want to cut down on exercising. So this morning I had an egg on a piece of toast! I haven't had bread in months.
LeighaMason

LeighaMason

1
Blog 97014
 

Slow week......

Well, its a week past my post op appointment and I haven't lost anything since! I am down 25 since 7/13 and am very pleased with that, so I am not discouraged. I think I hit a plateau because I am having trouble eating enough calories - about 1000 a day (trying to get to 1200). I boosted my exercise today, so that should help. Anyone else experiencing this?
Seanamw

Seanamw

3
Blog 3370
 

Lots and Lots of Pre-Op Stuff

This time next week I hope I'm feeling well and relaxing after having surgery the day before. I plan to take my notebook to the hospital as they have wifi.   I went yesterday to Dr. Castro's Pre-Op class. At first I thought it was kinda dum to make a pre-op/post op who had originally lost 140 pounds before my band went all bitch on me to attend such a class.   It started at 8 am. They had a slide show presentation with several different speakers. They had the Bariatric Coordinator Nurse over Methodist to talk to us, She was a Gastric Bypass success story. They had a nutritional lady come in and teach us about the nutritional stuff we needed to know.   Here are a few tips I learned: 1. Pay attention to the # of servings per container.   2. Get 60-80 grams of Protein each day in order to burn FAT NOT the LEAN MUSCLE we want to keep.   And remember the 10/10 Rule instead of couting calories. Less than 10 grams of Sugar and less than 10 grams TOTAL FAT per meal. So basically keep it less than 30 grams of fat and 30 grams of Sugar PER DAY and you should lose weight. Much easier than keeping track of calories. They said stuff low in each of those two things are naturally lower calorie, so no calorie counting needed.   Then we had this really (I'm sure nice) REALLY, REALLY pumped up Exercise Phsyiologist (sp) come in and talk about exercise.   And of course we all had our Psych Evals. I passed with no problems except with the advice to take more time for myself because ALL mothers give give give until they are dead for others and feel guilty for taking a second for themselves, I'm sooo guilty of that having my 5 year old and 19 month old. It's pathetic.   I also saw Dr. Castro for my last pre-op visit. The more time I spend with him the more respect he earns from me. Coming from a VERY picky person who worked for an "Old School" do the best for the patient doctor I am hard to surprise. Dr. Castro continues to surprise me with how serious and how much he CARES about my success. I am apart of his research study he is currently doing in order to hopefully make the Sleeve a more "Insurance Acceptable" method of WLS. I think that the ONLY reason the horrible Lap Band and Realize Bands are on the market is because of the money and power the makers of both have. :huh0: It's definately not a safe product in my opinion.   Today I went for my pre-op testing. I had about 6-7 tubes of blood drawn. An RN named Happy (that's her real name) drew my blood and got it on the FIRST time which is RARE, so I was very Happy with Happy. lol. Next Happy did an EKG and she commented on how nice my heart was. Then on for a chest X-ray to make sure I don't have anything that might make me a good case for pneumonia.   This process has really been different than my previous experience with the Lap Band folks, Dr. Castro also does Gastric Banding but he is even picky with WHO he does and who he recommends for the banding. I just get the impression he doesn't recommend it that much anymore. I also got two great books filled with invaluable information such as protein powders that other recommend, suggestions on foods to eat when and how and recipes. They even put in what to order at fast food places. I may post some of it on the forum boards AND on my here (my blog) when I have more time.   I must continue to low fat diet and try not to lose weight. Because I have a low BMI and primarily drink my meals, I was not placed on a Pre-op diet. I was told NOT to gain weight to keep my Liver as happy as possible. On Wedneday, the day before, I start a clear liquid diet. Then nothing to eat after Midnight. I must take a shower both Wednesday night and Thursday morning in a special scrub they use on pre-ops to help keep infection rates low. I am to arrive at the hospital at 8am for my 10am surgery.   So at this point, I've done everything to prepare except the two showers. Now I just sit back and enjoy the last few non-painful days with my family and kiddos. I expect to be in a lot of pain because of other medications I take that can interfere with pain meds and my Epilepsy that makes certain pain meds unavailable.   Please keep me and my young family in your prayers on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 10am Central Time.   Thanks, Carrie
Carrie

Carrie

2
Blog 3526
 

Really? I mean...REALLY??!?!?!?

*begin rant* Do people who have NEVER had any struggle w/their weight really have ANY earthly idea how hard it is being a fatty? ESPECIALLY one who has struggled with weight their entire life. I’m just tired of the superiority that comes along with [some] thin folks. Especially-especially those that ASSUME they are healthy simply b/c they are thin. My doc was actually shocked at my last physical. No HBP, no high cholesterol, no diabetes, blood tests were fine, kidney & liver function were fine. Heart was good & strong. If i wasn't morbidly obese, I'd be healthy *lol* And he went on to tell me how many average size – assumingly “Healthy” folks would come in and have all of these health ailments and be on all kind of medications for cholesterol, HBP, etc. Most everyone has one vice or another. It may not be food…but it’s something. Cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex…SOMETHING. All I know – if one more thin/“healthy” chain-smoking, coke-snorting, alcoholic, gambling, sex-addict says ONE more thing to me about my weight – there are gonna be consequences and repercussions! *BAH* If they hate me now? LAwd…There’s no hope for them come this time next year. Nonsense like this only makes me THAT more determined to hit Geyonce status (Gina + Beyonce = Geyonce) – and STAY there. *uh oh uh oh* :huh0: *end rant* Happy Friday all!
vanishingvixen

vanishingvixen

4
Blog 92878
 

today is the day

I'm at the hospital now. Woke up with a little head cold. Hope they will still do it. I actually don't have much to say.... well good luck to me and speedy recovery I hope.
sweetkc85

sweetkc85

3
The Sweet Spot
 

8/20/10 Funny Pages

I'm behind as usual...went on a vacation, dropped a kid off at college, you know...life. I haven't forgotten about you!! Here are my recent blog links ('Blogger' it's safe, I swear). At least read the 'funny pages' listed first (everyone needs at least one good laugh a day): :thumbup:   The ones that will make you laugh at (with) me: :wink2: My Secret To My BEST Skin after WL This Bites Vacation Prep Two For The Road Nutrition and My Children Animal House You'll need a Tetnus shot after reading   Pics of me: :eek: Happy Feet WL and your feet (and SHOES!) Cape May Pics of Me on Vacation (and in bathing suits)   Just because: :tt2: I'm Like An Old Leather Couch How? Read.
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

2

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