lsereno

Any lowfat meat, fish, or poultry is good. I've listed a few of my favs below, along with the other high Protein foods I enjoy. 1% Fat Cottage Cheese: 1/2 cup has 81 calories and 14 grams of protein Fage 0 Greek Yogurt: 1/2 cup has 65 calories and 12 grams protein 98% Fat Free Ham Lunchmeat (Costco brand) and many other low fat lunchmeats: 25 calories per ounce and 5 grams of protein Most cooked chicken breast meat: 46 calories and 9 grams of protein per ounce Dungeness Crabmeat: 30 calories and 6 grams of protein per ounce Cooked Shrimp: 25 calories and 5 grams of protein per ounce Dennison's 98% Fat Free Chili (now marketed as Fat Free Chili): 1/2 cup has 105 calories and 10 grams of protein Anderson Split Pea Soup with Bacon: 1/2 cup has 70 calories and 5 grams of protein Frigo Lowfat string cheese: 50 calories and 7 grams of protein BabyBel Light Cheese: 50 calories and 6 grams of protein eggs ( I don't like eggs but I can't leave them out of this list!): 80 calories and 6 grams of protein Soy Milk or Non-fat Milk: 8-9 grams of protein and 80-90 calories per 8 o Beef Jerky: Obertos is 80 calories and 13 grams of protein ounce.

Deconstruct the recipes to take out the starch. For example, make the Pasta sauce, but use less oil and don't serve it over pasta. Up the meat content (whatever it is so it's more Protein dense). Lynda

shrimp, crab, crawdads: any of these should be on the appetizer menu. Order something your honey likes so he can eat the rest if you can't finish it. Enjoy an iced tea or still Water with a splash of cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime at a restaurant if you are full. Have fun! Lynda

Not sure who in your family is not on board, but I took my Mom to a support group and to one of my surgeon appts pre-op. She was scared of the surgery and that helped settle her fears. Lynda

Well I'm happy to say that I'm back to my regular AM schedule and have been since around 8 months out. Right after surgery, I had diarrhea and then when that went away I was often constipated until I could eat enough to get some fiber in. I had a brief fling with Metamucil but I hated drinking it. I relied on Colace during the constipation phase. Lynda

Maintenance mode. Weight was 136.5 this morning B: Soy Latte, then about an hour later 1 slice WW bread, 2 oz. 98% fat free ham, 1/2 large yellow peach (22 grams protein) L: 1/2 cup chopped lettuce, 1/4 cup grapefruit segments packed in Splenda, 1 green onion, 2 oz. diced pork chop mixed with a little Newmanns Own Lowfat Sesame Ginger Dressing, 1 oz. Special K whole grain crackers (17 grams protein) S: Iced Decaf Soy Latte (I use Starbucks instant decaf, mix with cold soy milk and then blend with a few ice cubes.) (9 grams of protein) D: 1 Bistro Sensations Chicken Sausage, 1/3 ear corn, 1/2 cup watermelon cubes (16 grams protein) S: 1/2 cup ice cream

Oh, and my husband doesn't like frozen food either. It's OK with me. Lynda

Hi Goochman: Take a look at some of your fav recipes and see if you can cut it way down, using only the meat and sauce. For example, chicken fajitas. Instead of making a big batch, just make one breast or couple of thighs, using the same seasoning. Then add a couple of bites of complimentary veggies if you have room. Sauteed summer squash with onions and cherry tomatoes? Or maybe just a little tomato sauce and a few meatballs? When I was early out, for dinner I generally grilled or sauted some kind of Protein with sauce, and threw a few veggies in the pan at the end. Individual chicken breasts (you already got this), but the same for chicken thighs (more moist), pork chops, fish fillets, frozen shrimp, and ground beef. Frozen vegetables: a few of my favs are roasted peppers, peas and carrots, whole green Beans, pearl onions, butternut squash cubes (can shake out just as much as you need). Fresh vegetables you can buy in small quantities. My summer favs are summer squash, lettuce, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers. I just use a tiny bit. I use a mandolin slicer on the summer squash and cut the cherry tomatoes in half or quarters. I buy the fresh spinach and lettuce from the bin so I can buy just a handful. Shelf stable sauces and condiments, such as soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar,Sriracha, or sweet chili sauce. For sauces that aren't shelf stable, but the smallest amount possible because it takes a while to use them. If you are eating starches, I like the Minute Maid brown rice and quinoa cups. Each container in the package has 1 cup. I use 1/3 cup at a time to add a grain to meals. oatmeal is great for the mornings. I eat 1/4 cup dry cooked with a little more than 1/2 cup Water. I also like whole grain crackers because they stay fresh better. Now that I am further out, I also enjoy whole grain bread. But it was a long time till I could eat it or the oatmeal. For lunch, tuna, lunch meat, low fat cheeses, and protein dense Soups are all good. Lynda

Amy, love your new profile pic. Lynda

No, but they are easier to find with only one chinny-chin-chin for them to hide on. Once you pass a certain age, I strongly recommend a magnifying mirror and a good pair of tweezers. Lynda

I have to admit, I sometimes just ignore posts where the person says " I've been eating <name the bad food> and I'm in a stall." But if I do reply, I try to answer in the kindest way possible because you can't hate yourself thin. I think you can provide a helpful answer without being mean or an enabler. But I haven't seen anything you've said that was mean. I also avoid fights. That's just me. I'm a runner, not a fighter. So if I provide a helpful answer and I get pushback, I don't get in a huff. Even if the OP is not ready for the info, it might help someone else. Lynda

Maintenance mode. Weight was 136.3 today. B: small peach, Sara Lee Whole Grain Mini Bagel, 1 oz. Harley Farms Soft Goat cheese, 1/2 tsp honey, 1 slice lowfat turkey L: 3/4 c. homemade chili (meat, Beans and tomatoes) S: 1 C. Lettuce, tomato, and 1/4 small avocado salad with dressing of 1 T. mayo and a little lemon juice, 1 oz. pretzels D: 3 oz. lean pork chop, 1/3 c. sauteed summer squash (includes 1 tsp olive oil), 1/3 cup mashed sweet potato S: 3/4 C. Fage 0 Greek Yogurt with Splenda and 1/3 c. blueberries, 1 oz. pretzels

If your surgery was done correctly, the sleeve is only going to stretch so much. Yes, it is better to keep it smaller so you eat less, but even if you eat more, it will only stretch so much. That is why everyone is addressing the head hunger, slider foods, and grazing. Those are the issues that will cause the weight loss to stop and regain to occur the fastest. My thoughts are with you jograves. One thing you might do is make a list of things you find soothing. When you are tempted to eat, look at your list and see if something there won't fill the need instead. My list includes calling a friend, applying lotion lip gloss and perfume (the good smell and feel really does me good!), playing a computer game, drinking a cup of tea with splenda, and playing with the dog. Lynda

I'm a 40 too!

You're welcome! Hope all goes well and you are scheduled soon. Lynda

I went through Kaiser Fremont. They had us return at two weeks, six weeks, three months and one year. It's annual after that. During the annual visit the review blood tests, check in on how we're feeling, and schedule a bone density test. To me, follow up is most important in the first six months. Your regular Dr can schedule blood work and bone density tests. Lynda

Thanks!

Try this one if you like Italian and don't put it on the bread: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tuna-gribiche-crostini-50400000120571/ This one looks good too if you like asian: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/asian_tuna_salad/ I also like mine with a little mustard and green onions. Sometimes I shred a hardboiled egg and add it for flavor. Lynda

Yes, when you are early out and drink a lot, the chicken is a nice break from sweet stuff! Lynda

Here's a thread where people have posted who had their surgery at Kaiser West LA. I would PM them and ask. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/79144-is-anyone-going-to-the-west-los-angeles-kaiser-for-their-surgery/page__hl__%2Bkaiser+%2Bwest Lynda

Please if you know of any other guides, list them in the comments so we have a more complete list here. Thanks!

There are a lot of kaiser patients here. Which kaiser are you using? Every locations program is a little different. I went thru kaiser Fremont.

My tap water was hot enough. I used an instant read thermometer till I got used to the right temperature. Then I poured powder into cup, added enough water to blend, stirred well, then added the rest of the water.

Dani, I see from your earlier posts your surgery was July 7. I would call the Dr. if I were you. It sounds like a stomach bug, but your Dr. will have better advice and know what questions to ask. It's important to not become dehydrated. Lynda

Early out I ate the Hormel Turkey Chili and when cleared for beef at 6 weeks, the Dennison's Fat Free Chili (formerly known as 98% fat free). I also make my own, heavy on the meat so it is Protein dense. Lynda