WEESIE

White chicken Chili


3 # chicken breasts—cooked & cubed
1 lg onion diced & sautéed in chix broth
2 # navy beans—cooked about 1+ hours
2 cans white shoepeg corn
2 cans (4.5 oz) green chilis, diced
2 T + chili powder
1 T + cumin or taco seasoning
Salt & Pepper
Garlic
Large can of chicken broth—use to cover other ingredients as simmering 30 minutes or more

Hello out there! I have gained so much from my 42 pounds gone. I love my band. I've had 3 fills and have 8 cc in my 11cc realize band. I posted a list of NSV's in my hospitals fourm and wanted to share it with all of you, so here goes:
I have lost two pants sizes and 1 shirt size. My skinny jeans are becoming my fat jeans. My double chin is now a chin and a neck.I can cross my legs.I can reach my shoes to tie them. I don't mind looking in the mirror, as much.People notice.My rings are too big.My lanyard hangs all the way to my belly button.My ankle has less and less pain everyday.My PCOS has resolved.The seatbelt in my car doesn't cut my neck.I have become an inspiration to others!
Its amazing what you gain when you lose!
Thanks for reading, I'd love to hear some of your lists!

Dr Spivak was my surgeon also and I have and have had Omnipac in my band since my first fill. He asked me if I wanted that or saline? I chose the Omnipac as it was thicker. I have talked to a lady Surgeon in Bryan Texas that does fills under fluro for $200.00 I discuss with them that I have Omnipac and it did not seem to be a problem. They are in her Bryan Office every other weekend and then in Tyler, Texas the other weekends. She and her husband both have a band.
Dr Spivak was a great surgeon and such a nice man, it will be hard to find someone who cares about his people like he did. If you compare other Drs to him most will not stand up to the challenge. So if you do not like the ones who are replacing him choose another Dr. I can find you the number for the lady Surgeon in Bryan if you are interested a lot of people really like her. I am sure I will be going there soon. Dr Spivak always did my fills himself and under flouro so that is what I want now. I will not change to saline as I do not know what the restiction will feel like might be different might not be. Anyway the surgeon will not make you choose the right foods and exercise. You are just getting a fill from them, you have to be your own cheerleader.
Cheri

Here's a very serious question: what do you expect the band to do for you? Like not just "help me" but how exactly do you want it to help?

I was excited to eat and went to Le Madelines to have quiche. I had the spinach one. I ate half of it, but left the crust. I also had a little tomato basil soup with it. I never felt full. I ate slowly and chewed well. About 1/2 to 1 hour later I had pain that feels like my waistband is too tight, but up high around my ribs. My stomach seems to be gurgling or growling on the left side near the ribs. Have you had this before? Any ideas? I took a gas X in case it is gas pains, which were gone.

I'm starting late, but I used my records for the prior weigh ins. I'm new to this since I was banded May 25th and have my first fill tomorrow. I'm trying for 13 pounds since June 1st. Thank you for the challenge.

I was banded 3 weeks ago today. Just started soft solid foods. I have felt hungry for the first time in the past few days, which I haven't felt since surgery.
Here are the things I think help me, cause I have some moments when I thought I was gonna totally cave and have something that would be best for me not to have right now! Drink a ton. When I start feeling hungry I just tell myself I am probably thirsty and I drink something I really like.. for me Fuji apple pear SoBe Water is my favorite.
Then I get busy doing something that occupies my mind and I have been meaning to do anyway. Today, I reorganized my pots and pan shelf. A few days ago, I organized all my sewing material. I forgot all about being hungry.Then when my tummy was really hungry and I could no longer ignore it, I had a small meal and made myself really think about the moment when the starving feeling went away and I was no longer hungry. These are new things for me.. I am used to just eating till what was on my plate was gone.
Also another thing that helps me is going to Fitday.com and logging everything I have eaten. I actually feel really good about my choices the past few days and I am still losing every so slowly! I am having the hardest time being patient because after my surgery, my weight loss has been small compared to some. I keep having to remind myself minute by minute sometimes that my body is healing and I am losing, even if it is not has much as I feel like it should. I can't complain too much yet because I have not exercised as much as would be best for me. Between having the flu and feeling extra sore, maybe from the hernia repair, I haven't felt up to much more than walking a bit, but I have a plan and I started today.. If you use fitday, it helps you see all your achievements and it makes you feel good. I know I can stick to a diet long enough to get to my fill, I have done it before...but I am looking forward to having a little more help.
I have gone through my closet too.. I wondered if I was losing inches maybe since the scale wasn't saying what I wanted it to say. I found 4 pairs of summer pants and a few shirts that I couldn't wear last year that I can now add back into my wardrobe. I also got rid of a few things that were getting baggy in were just not flattering...that was great encouragement for me.
You know what else helps me? This just popped into my head and it makes me kinda tear up a little.. but seeing my husband watch me and encourage me. When I left food on my plate last night he gave me a big smile, because I NEVER leave food on my plate.. I have that clear your plate syndrome..haha. I am a stay at home mom, and his sacrifices to me so I could have this surgery have meant the world to me. He loves me the way I am, but he supports me.. So yeah, that helps me stick to it also. I want him to be proud of me. I want to be proud of me.
I keep reminding myself that even though the basic idea of weight loss, less in, more movement is the same for me.. I also have some issues that make it more of a challenge for me. I will not let it be my excuse, but I have to remember I am on my own journey and as long as I keep moving forward , I am doing ok.
Wow.. I didn't realize I had soooo much to say.. Imagine that.. me talking too much..hummm
Good luck.. you can get through this!! Hungry is not dangerous.. just think when you are hungry, it means you have not recently eaten something you should not have..haha!!

Yes, I get this all the time. I have always gotten this while I have tried to lose weight over the last 25 years. I started this with a BMI just over 36. Initially my patient advocate even said she was concerned about me being approved. I have always had chicken legs and chicken arms. At times I choose to dress in such a way that my chicken (now normal sized) legs and arms are emphasized and my torso is minimized. I also had liposuction on the quadruple chin a few years ago for job stability. So yes, I do look smaller than I actually am. I also don't have a BMI over 40.

But...there are some people who don't question my decision
My PCP doctor who writes my three blood pressure medications each month.
My Rheumatologist who treats the fibromyalgia and arthritis
My Endocrinologist for my diabetes
My husband who sees the rolls on my five foot frame under the clothes.
My husband who pays the $300.00 copays on meds each month and hopes we never lose insurance and can't afford my scripts
My children and grandchildren who want me to attend graduations and weddings in the years to come.
Myself....I want to live longer, be happier, be healthier, have less pain, take less medications and feel better about myself.
So I might not have reached a BMI over 40. I was not as healthy as a lot of people with that magic BMI of 40 plus. Fortunately for me the criteria for surgery include "unhealthy" people with a BMI over 35.

I had my surgery on the 10th, doing good so far. I am feeling not tons of restriction, but I know this is a long process. I think my first fill will be june14th. At least that what it seems like they were hinting toward at my last appt. I don't feel much hunger, but I don't feel too full much either. When I get in one of those eating bingey moods it's hard to find something to satisfy my hunger, probably because my hunger is mental. I feel this whole process has been way more mentally challenging than I expected!
How much has everyone lost?
I lost 26 pre op, but gained 9 the one day I was in the hosp... Doesn't make much sense, so I'm not sure how to count it. Then I lost the 9, plus 9.6 more since the 10th, total 35.6
I am just hoping for 10 a month and I'll be happy.

I was 53 when I was banded. Had back surgery in 2004 (L3, L4, L5 fusion), and I have spinal stenosis. Tragic, huh? NOT! Thanks to the weight I have lost with the lapband I walk 2.5 miles every morning before work and 3 miles on the weekend. I would walk farther ... but my life is too busy, I don't have the time!
Once you have had the surgery you might wish you had done it sooner ... but you won't stay in that thought too long because your life will be moving so fast you won't have time to think about all the "iffa, coulda, woulda, shouldas" -- you will be living life like it's GOLDEN!
This is the best thing I have ever done for myself and I don't regret it one bit ... and being 55 now doesn't make it any less fantastic!
Oh ... just for a moment, let me get real -- I am a slow loser. A lot of that is due to the fact that I cannot do strenuous exercise because of back surgery, spinal stenosis, etc. But, when I started this journey in June 2009 I was wearing a size 26, I am now wearing a size 14 -- and still losing. I am 5'8" so a 14 looks pretty good on the old girl. So, yes, your journey may be different from some but it will be very similar to a lot of others -- like me. Either way, success is on the horizon.
All the best to you on your journey!
~Fran

Because tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo, I thought this "band friendly" recipe would be quite appropriate to share:

Cheesy chicken Enchiladas
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 Min
Cook Time: 30 Min
Serving size: 1
Recipe makes: 10
Ingredients:
4 large cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 cups)
1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
1 (10 ¾ ounce) can low-fat cream of chicken condensed Soup
10 ounces (about 2 cups) reduced-fat 2% shredded cheddar cheese
1 (4 ounce) can mild green chopped chilies, drained
about 10 low-carb flour tortillas
Cheesy Topping:
1 (10 ¾ ounce) can low-fat cream of chicken condensed soup
8 ounces light or fat free sour cream
1 ½ cups 2% reduced fat shredded Mexican shredded cheese blend
¼ cup sliced green onions (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray;
set aside.
2. Mix together the chicken, yogurt, condensed soup, shredded cheddar cheese, and green
chilies. Stuff each tortilla with ½ cup of chicken mixture, and roll up. Place each rolled up tortilla
seam side down in the baking dish. Set aside.
3. Mix together all ingredients for the topping, except the green onions. Spread the cheesy topping
evenly over the enchiladas.
4. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until toasty and bubbly.
5. Sprinkle chopped green onions over enchiladas and serve

No, you are not jinxing yourself. We should always make sure things are not left unsaid. This surgery is very low risk, but so is going to work or taking an airplane flight or any number of things we do everyday! I think it is a good idea (now that you mentioned it) to have a letter for each of our loved ones ALL THE TIME. In addition to trying to make sure we always part on good terms each day or go to bed only after we make sure those in our house know we love them, this letter is a great idea. I had my surgery on Wednesday and never thought of it. I wish I had. I think you should use this as an opportunity to make sure you have it on paper for the future. It probably won't be needed for this surgery, but it is inevitable that we will all come to that point. Your loved ones will appreciate it when that time comes. In the meantime, relax and enjoy the time you have.