eyewonder

@Bayougirlmrsc I agree with Dollgirl, especially about this site being a supportive group.
For you to play God and put judgement on others is mind blowing to me. You are generalizing and putting everyone in the same category as perhaps those that abuse the system
. God forbid if ever something devastating happens to your life and you need government assistance. And according to your words you have to work everyday so therefore you don't have the money to take care of yourself for a long period of time if you become disable or etc. If you have family to take care of you, I wonder would that be a burden? I'm not saying that family thinks a person is a burden, I think it's a wonderful thing when family cares and help. But just a passing thought since you mention burden.
.
There are plenty people that have worked decades and have paid taxes and perhaps unemployed or disable and etc. that suddendly needed well earned help. I could never stand people that think they are so above others and find themselves so superior.
Look around you in this world and see all the people that have come down a level or two and perhaps homeless because of the economy. They too never thought they would be where they are today, bankrupt, homeless, losing homes, cars, or no health insurance, etc. and needing a helping hand.
My point in all this is to stop putting people down because they need and don't have, and for you and others to stop acting superior. Because you never know what tomorrow will bring for you.
* I could have made this a very nasty letter but I tried to make my point without going there. Because this site is a SUPPORT GROUP

For Bayougirlmrsc and bandedgorJess,
Being judgemental much? Please don't judge me without knowing my history. Both my husband (full-time) and I work (part-time). However, we are raising our grandchild (who has developmental and behavioal problems); therefore, one of us has to be available for her at all times. In addition, my husband has worked for 45 years and I have worked for over 25 years. Thus, we have paid into the system. At this time, my husband is working for someone who does not provide us with insurance. We have gone for 12 years without insurance and have paid our own way. (We can not afford self-provided insurance due to pre-existing health conditions). Like you, Bayougirlmrsc, I went to school full-time (graduated Summa Cum Laude, top honors), worked 2 part-time jobs, raised a child with bipolar disorder, began raising a baby, and paid taxes during this 12 year period. And yes, I have looked and am looking for employment in my field without success. Also, I am going to return to school in the spring to continue to further my education. During this time, both my husband and I will continue to work. I am very grateful to have this oppurtunity to be insured and will not waste or abuse it. If necessary, I will work out a payment plan to have to surgery. It is medically necessary for me to have this surgery. Finally, I thought this formum was a supportive one. Your responses were not supportive and were cruel. For everyone else, thanks for the support.
Cassandra

What a great idea! I would love to see what recipes everyone is using. Any meal plans? I am in the soft foods stage right now, but will be on regular as tolerated starting 6/5. Some foods are still hard for me to get down so I am not sure where to start.
Here is the white chicken chili recipe:
1 1/4 lbs boneless skinless chicken
2 (15 ounce) cans navy Beans
1 (15 ounce) can hominy
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can of chopped green chilies
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken Soup
1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
1/2 cup sour cream
chopped green onion (optional)
monterey jack cheese (optional)
- Place chicken in a 4 quart Crockpot.
- Top with beans and corn.
- In a medium bowl, combine taco seasoning, chiles, condensed soup, and chicken broth. Pour over top of ingredients in the crock pot.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
- Before serving, stir gently to break up chicken, then stir in the sour cream.
- Serve topped with green onions and jack cheese, if desired.
Just FYI this recipe isn't light, so be mindful of portion and we can always substitute w/ lighter cheese and sour cream.

I found this recipe on lapband.com and cannot wait to try it.. Thought I'd share it with you.
BLT CUKES
Serving size: 1 piece Recipe makes: 8
Ingredients
3 slices crisp cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup finely chopped lettuce
1/2 cup finely chopped baby spinach
1/4 cup diced ripe Tomato
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons fat free Mayonnaise
1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
1 large cucumber
snipped green onion or minced fresh parsley (optional)
Directions
1.) Combine bacon, lettuce, spinach, tomato, and mayonnaise in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper if desired; set aside.
2.) Peel cucumber. Trim off ends and cut in half lengthwise. Use spoon to scoop out seeds; discard seeds. Divide bacon mixture between cucumber halves, mounding in hollowed areas. Garnish with parsley or green onion. Cut into 2-inch pieces.
*Allergan note: to keep recipe even lower fat, consider using turkey bacon.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 piece
Recipe makes 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories >30
Calories from Fat 20
Total Fat 2g Saturated Fat 0.5g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 5g Sodium 115g Total Carbohydrate 2g Dietary Fiber 1g Sugars 1g Protein 2g

I saw a similar recipe on here but thought I would post it. I used to make an unhealthier version pre band but have modified it.
PITA pizza
Ingredients:
- reduced fat mozzarella cheese
- pinch of olive oil
- pinch of minced garlic
- thinly sliced mushrooms
- ground turkey (Italian seasoned Jenny o)
- pizza sauce
- mini wheat pita
- dried basil
- dried oregano
Directions:
- pre heat oven to 375 degrees
- brown 1/4 cup ground turkey
- spread olive oil on 1 mini pita
- top pita with 2 tbsp pizza sauce and pinch of minced garlic
- put on your other toppings including Browned ground turkey
- sprinkle cheese, oregano and basil on top
- put in oven for 10-15 minutes
Yummy

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
8 oz. thinly sliced roast beef
8 slices provolone cheese
2 large green bell peppers
1 medium sweet onion
6 oz Baby Bella Mushrooms
2 Tbs Smart balance butter
2 tbs olive oil
1tbs Garlic minced
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:
Slice peppers in half lengthwise, remove ribs and seeds.
Slice onions and mushrooms. Saute over medium heat with butter, olive oil, minced garlic, and a little salt and pepper. Saute until onions and mushroom are nice and caramelized. About 25-30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400
Slice roast beef into thin strips and add to the onion/mushroom mixture. Allow to cook 5-10 minutes.
Line the inside of each pepper with a slice of provolone cheese.
Fill the inside of each pepper with meat mixture until they are nearly overflowing.
Top each pepper with another slice of provolone cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese on top is golden brown.
Makes 4 servings -- 6 net carbs per serving

I am down 29.6lbs so far and feel good about myself as well. I am able to walk 30 minutes on the treadmill and my heartrate stays @ 140 2 months ago I had to stop because my heartrate was going over 200 I can climb the stairs to go to bed without huffing and puffing and My Doctor has taken me off 1/2 my meds!!! I am so glad I did this!

No you are not the only one. I have the same problem along with a slipped disc in my back. I wished I could do more walking without pain.
Like Daisychains7 said, Water aerobics should be the best solution for us. I'm waiting for my incisions to heal so I can get in the pool. Small steps should help because you are moving. Good Luck and keep moving.
This quote came to my mind while replying to you
"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward."
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

No you are not the only one. I have the same problem along with a slipped disc in my back. I wished I could do more walking without pain.
Like Daisychains7 said, Water aerobics should be the best solution for us. I'm waiting for my incisions to heal so I can get in the pool. Small steps should help because you are moving. Good Luck and keep moving.
This quote came to my mind while replying to you
"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward."
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

If you aren't taking anantacid, ask your doc about one. My doc put me on one for the first month. Don't force yourself, try some pureed Soup with chicken or something bland. My stomachwas sour after surgery so Greek yogurt. Cottage cheese, etc. Didn't even sound good.
maybe pudding made with some Protein Powder? Good luck!

My doctor did not move me to mushies until day 15. Perhaps you need to take it a bit slower. I realise you are following orders but physically you may just need more time to heal. If you doctor has approved mushies; as long as you chew the watermellon to mush I would think it would be fine.

Eyewonder I'm glad you decided to sit down and tell every one how you was feeling. It did you good and I know that it also helped some one else for you to post this information. Thanks and know you will be in a lot of minds come you surgery. We will be there with you!

I am so excited for you to be banded and experience life on the other side of this. This is a wonderful new beginning! I know with your strength and positive attitude you will succeed.
I was a complete mess the week leading up to my surgery. The night before I barely slept... I was in shock and still could not believe I was going to do it. It didn't hit me until I was in the prep area of the hospital, undressing and putting on my hospital gown and socks. I immediately prayed and an inner calm came over me.
I saw a good quote the other day: "Let your faith be bigger than your fears." There will be challenges but its nothing you can't endure with God's help.

I know this is the 2nd best life changing decision I have ever made, next to being saved and having a personal relationship with God.
Yet my stomach is turning trying to form into a knot. Putting pressure on my nerves in my stomach.
As far as my head goes, I'm rejecting fast darts of fear coming at me strong, by dodging the thoughts and getting out of the way.
Because if I start thinking negative I will then allow fear to creep in and take over the mass majority of my day. And damn if I've come this far with all the hurdles I had to go through to get to this point. So by me just writing this has snapped me back into digging down deep and giving me strength to overcome this threatening fear.
God be with everyone having surgery this week and beyond.
@Jannaboo we both can do this tomorrow
@MandaElaine I'm a "punk" like you said about yourself too, when it comes to things like this. I can talk the talk now I have to walk the walk But I know if you can do it, I can too. So I will update Friday Thank you all for preparing me for what's ahead

@Shoshanna "Get a boat and drown bait" I like that
@Donna12 You are so right about normal activities, and yes it is scary about sleep apnea. But once you sleep with the cpap machine,, you will notice that you sleep much better without tossing and turning. You won't feel as tire the next day.
I like your statement "Relay for life". You made me think of when I first started seriously going to church, and I would tell people I"m running for my life. Thanks for the flashback, that hit the spot.
@Sojourner Very nicely said, that is so thought provoking. Your words of wisdom and encouragment surely penetrated my mind. I love this: " having an official "goodbye" to some of the foods and habits".
Thanks All

It is a wise move to have an official "goodbye" to some of the habits and foods which as you aptly put it "all the things that got me in the condition I am today"...and I believe you will be pleasantly surprised at the speed you will heal and adjust to having the band. I would not get disappointed to miss out on your summer activities just yet!

From experience, I can share that recovery from this surgery was a breeze compared with my other one (also abdominal). I felt limited in my activities for only several days following the band surgery.

I have to say there are many things I miss...pasta dishes, dark chocolate, and my occasional glass of wine with dinner to name only a few. Everything in life involves trade offs. If in return for giving up those few things I am blessed to have no diabetes and improved health, than it is well beyond worth it!

Good luck to you as you continue on this journey...you are light years ahead of many, because you have the accurate insights into the need for change, and from your writing seem committed to the cause!

Sojourner you are so right, the trade off's will be for the best. I haven't been tested for diabetes yet but stay thirsty and if I had to guess I'm pre or on the verge of being diabetic since my dad' side of the family is or was. Also, I am looking in to the future of not being morbidly obese again and becoming a statistic of certain cancers i.e. colon and other cancers that can be found in obese people. I am looking for a bright future ahead of a healthier me and lots of activities to participate in, like Relay for Life to name one.

Well I hope you did stop and pray about it as that is what I will probably be doing soon. I will miss, let's see, chips and dip, Cracker Barrel, pecan pie, J. Alexander's carrot cake, pizza, Pasta I guess that's enough belly aching for me for now since yes you're right these are the things that got us here in the first place, oh and sweet tea.sorry...But I know in the end it will all be worth it, I will be able to do normal activities like a normal person and hopefully won't have sleep apnea. Just found that out this week. Had an at home sleep study done with a monitor and it showed I stopped breathing over 300 times during the night, scary huh? Going for another sleep study this Friday night at the hospital and being hooked up to a CPAP this time. Hope you are doing well.
Donna

Time to get a boat and drown bait by dropping the line over the side.
Seriously, it didn't take me anywhere near two months to heal and return to normal activities. Maybe it won't be as bad as you expect.

Withdrawal= the act or process of giving up something / the act of withdrawing,etc.
Just sitting having images of things I truly enjoy that I have to give up .Either for good or for a short period of time because of surgery.
For me it will be liquor, especially mixed drinks. Sandwiches, Pop, and my Chicago Hot Dogs from "Sonic" my Nathan hot Dogs . Potatoe chips.< /p>
I guess you could say all the things that got me in the condition I am today. Most of all I'll miss "Fishing" for a couple of months, because after
surgery I can't take a chance and throw out my reel and bust my stitches. So my summer hobby I can forget this year.
Sorry my food demon is messing with my mind a few days before my surgery but I guess that was to be expected. I'm about to Pray this off of
me then I would be alright.
Anybody else have something they have/had to give up for a while, or for good?

My surgeon says it is okay to open Prilosec, which comes in a capsule.

Hi , I was banded on may 10th and I have been taken pills since that same day no problem, plenty of Water before and after and it should not be a problem however I have heard of people having issues, my surgeon actually wanted me to continue taking my meds as normal, my pcp said to stop them due to the diet since I suffer of diabetes 2 , I am so happy with my sugar levels the surgery is starting to pay off

The Best spiritual presence I can think to take with you is GOD. He/She is all the "special" you need.
(But I do know what you are talking about, like material things) but I just had to add that.
My Prayers are going forth for you, keep us updated

I got a pill stuck once about 3 weeks post op, and it was not a pleasant experience. That pill was the only thing to date which has gotten stuck.

As my son the pharmacist would say, you have to consider the risk/benefit ratio. I have learned to focus on "mindful" swallowing while taking pills, and there have not been any more stuck episodes. I guess it depends on how much your allergies are bothering you. I don't like taking pills either, but for some it is definitely a better choice than suffering the effects of uncontrolled hypertension or hay fever.