gotmyeyeontheprize

I have another mushy food recipe that is yummy!! Mix together a can of chicken (drained), Texas Pete Wing Sauce to taste, Ranch dressing to taste, and shredded cheddar cheese. Microwave for 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds.....YUMMY!! I actually used about 2 tsp. of wing sauce and Ranch, but adjust according to your taste. Very filling!!

How do you make your protein shakes? I am very interested in a good recipe. I don't understand the no fruit either except that fruit contains a lot of sugar. So, that may be why he doesn't allow it. Also, do you mind sharing what you add to your omelet and how you make your stir fry chicken? Both of those sounds yummy!

I also appreciate all of the experienced bandsters posting this information as I am only a week out and constantly stress about what to eat. It seems that I can eat anything I want to as long as it is in moderation. I never have looked at it that way. I am limited to 3 ounces of protein per meal and was wondering how to enjoy that protein. Now, thanks to the veteran bandsters, I realize I can make that protein taste good!

Good luck on your banding tomorrow. Mine was done this past Monday 11/22. Some of the things that I have eaten are refried Beans with some shredded cheese, Ragu spaghetti sauce mixed with ricatto cheese, tuna mixed with ff mayo, and right now I am eating a can of chicken mixed with some Texas Pete Wing Sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing. Of course, I heated all of those with the exception of the tuna. To be honest, you probably won't have much of an appetite for the first couple of days. I lived off of Protein drinks, ice chips, Water, and sugar free popsicles. Actually, my surgeon wanted me on liquids for the first five days. I wish you the best of luck and hope that all goes well!

.....trying to figure out what to eat. For the past few weeks, I have been searching the internet trying to find recipes to make that will suit my requirements. It just seems so hard to try to find things that are within my limits. My surgeon allows 600 calories a day, 20 grams of Protein per meal, 3 meals a day with no snacking, and no red meat, pork, bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, or fruit. Trying to stay in these limits is a difficult task. I know this is not a recipe or meal idea forum, but I haven't had a lot of luck on that forum. So, does anyone have any recipe suggestions?

Lori, thanks so much for the info! My in-laws bought me some vanilla whey Protein from GNC today and it was $67!! That stuff better be made of gold. I may return it and try the protein you suggested. What do you think about the taste of that Greek yogurt? I have not tried it yet and am not a fan of yogurt anyways. Does it come flavored?

I had my surgery on 11/22 too, but did not have any glue on my incisions that I know of. My incisions have steri-strips over them, and I was told they would come off between 2-3 weeks. One of mine came off on Friday and the incision is closed and fine. When I had gallbladder surgery a few years ago, one of my incisions actually opened back up some. So, I simply used a butterfly closure to "seal" it back shut. You may want to try that.

Bless your hearts! I was banded on 11/22 also. Fortunately, I did not suffer much gas pain. For the first two days, I faithfully walked for 5 minutes at a time every 15 minutes. Also, I would use 2 Gas-X Strips every 4 hours even if I didn't need them. I used that sparometer (sp?) thing that they sent me home from the hospital with that you take deep breaths from 10 times an hour. I don't know if the combination of those things is what helped or not, but I easily passed gas within 24 hours of surgery. Once I relieved that gas, the swelling in my tummy went down. You might try those things and see if they help. It surely couldn't hurt. I hope everyone feels much better soon.

Who knows?!?! There are a lot of restrictions on food that is handed down by my surgeon. I can't have pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, etc. until I have lost 75% of my excess weight. So, all these recipes for yummy sandwiches are out!

What kind of protein powder did you get? I think I am going to have to break down and do the same thing. Thanks for the advice!

I am finding it hard to get the required amount of protein in during the day and am feeling the effects of this. I have tried to get in the protein through protein drinks, but I can't stomach that many in a day. Also, I have tried eating tuna, refried beans, and eggs, but I honestly do not have an appetite for them. Is anyone else having this problem? Any suggestions on how to get adequate protein?

Congratulations!! That is an absolutely wonderful accomplishment! Keep up the good work.

Well, that stomach bug is getting closer to me! My sweet daughter came down with it early this morning. So, please keep your fingers crossed that I don't get it.

Too funny! I bet that was absolutely delicious. I would love to add some meat to it, but I am not allowed any red meat or pork for the first year. I guess I could make it with ground turkey, but I am not a big fan of that stuff.

You need to consult your surgeon or nutritionist as everyone's pre-op diet seems to be different. I was limited to 3 protein drinks a day, unlimited broth, unlimited sugar-free jello and popsicles, 3 cups of juice per day, and as much sugar-free drinks as I would like. I could not have anything SOLID at all.

I found this on another forum and thought I would give it a try. It was wonderful!! I spread a tablespoon of Ricotta cheese in the bottom of a small microwave safe bowl. Then, I poured some Ragu Traditional Spaghetti sauce over it for taste. I added a dab of salt and a dab of garlic powder. Then, I microwaved it for 30 seconds.....yummy!! It is like lasagna without the noodles.

I think everyone's surgeon is different regarding when they can eat things. For me, I can not have any bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, etc. until I have lost 75% of my excess weight. I can have salads about 3 weeks post-op, but only after I have had my 3 ounces of protein. So, there may not be any room in my pouch to hold a salad. The only option I have is to add some shrimp, crab, chicken, etc. to my salad to get the protein in too. Good luck!

Welcome tigger and congratualtions! This forum is full of wonderful people who are more than happy to offer support. I am glad you have joined in the fun!! Stephanie, I know what you mean! I teach 5th grade and don't have to chase any kiddos around. Even so, there is a lot of standing involved and the added stress. I may attempt to take my son to the movies tomorrow. If so, I will see how that goes then make up my mind.

Very true! I am so glad that you are feeling well enough to get out and do things. I may need to "bite the bullett" tomorrow and at least ride around a little bit. My husband is working twelves through the weekend. So, he hasn't been here to make me get out and go...lol! I would love to be a part of your side job. Decorating houses for Christmas sounds like so much fun! Do you decorate houses for the rich and famous?!?! I love, love, love Christmas decorations!

I am curious as to when my fellow November 22nd bandsters plan on heading back to work. I teach school and had planned on returning to work on Monday. I am riding the fence now as to whether I should head back Monday or wait until Wednesday. My post-op appointment is on Tuesday. So, I am going to have to miss half a day of work then anyways. Also, I still have not driven anywhere as I really don't feel up to it yet. I am not really in any physical pain. Instead, I am still weak and tired and it takes a lot of energy just to take a shower. I have tried to get myself moving some by washing clothes and doing little chores around the house. Even so, I am drained after doing that! Thanksgiving day, I got out and spent the day with family that lives about 45 minutes away. Then, when we returned to town, my hubby, kids, and I went to Wal-Mart. We got a few groceries and my back was killing me after walking on that concrete. I guess I am being a baby.

Thanks for the advice. I tried to call my surgeon's office, but they do not have any after hours service. My surgeon gave me a prescription for nausea medication the day of surgery. I feel a bit nauseated right now, but I really think it is all in my head. The fear of getting sick. So, I went ahead and took a nausea pill to be on the safe side. Also, I decided it may be best for me to go back to liquids until I see if this virus hits me. Maybe that will prevent so much pressure if I do get sick.

Congrats and welcome to the other side! I was banded on Monday and am feeling great. I started mushy foods yesterday and did fine. Best of luck!!

Well, let me say that I am in a major panic mode right now. My kids and I went to my friend's house last night. Now, her entire family has the awful stomach virus. Her toddler has it the worst and she was drinking after me!! I have only been banded since Monday and am scared to death that I am going to get this mess. What do I do?!?!

I have had 3 C-Sections and just had Lap Band surgery on Monday. There is very minimal physical pain involved with the Lap Band. I was given morphine in recovery around 10:00 that morning and didn't have any other pain medication until I left the hospital at 5:30 that afternoon. I have taken one pain pill a day. I do this at night to help me sleep better. Most laproscopic procedures are a walk in the park compared to an open procedure such as a C-Section. On the other hand, there is more emotional/mental stress with the Lap Band. I was not prepared for the anxiety I have gone through the past few days. I went into this surgery knowing 110% that I wanted it. I followed every part of the pre-op diet and lost 21 lbs. by the day of surgery. Even so, the true realization of what I was doing did not kick in until the procedure was done and over with. Do I regret having the Lap Band surgery? Not in a million years. Just don't go into this thinking it is the "easy way out" because it is far from easy. As you probably already know, this procedure requires a complete lifestyle change. There are steps that you have to follow. The things you do without even thinking (take a pill when needed, pour yourself a glass of coke, grab a quick snack as you head out the door, lick the Peanut Butter off the knife when making your kids a sandwich, etc.) will all come to a very quick halt! I have to continuously remind myself that I am not that same person. Keep your "eye on the prize" and you will do just fine. Be prepared for any emotional changes that may come along. Stay in touch with the people on this forum as they have been a wonderful support system for me. Best of luck!

Dizzy, what other good things did you puree? I really need to find some protein packed things to puree, but I also want some flavor.