lifeisjustbeginning2011

You'll find that every doc requires different things. For the most part, I haven't seen many people that have to do the bowel cleanse thing prior to surgery. You're the second person that I've heard mention that. I was able to drink my last shake up till 11:59 PM the night before. Just make sure to drink drink drink lots lots lots of water!!! I was guzzling water at 11:59PM, and I'm totally serious. IV starts are way more difficult when you're dehydrated, plus you won't feel like eating or drinking for days after your surgery. Best wishes to you! Amy

Ok, I love the last post....tie dye all the way. I found an iron on peace sign made of sequins at Hobby Lobby (or Michael's) that was $3. There ya go...tie dye shirt and iron on a peace sign. Voila!

forgot to mention that I posted a picture of my culinary masterpiece on my blog.

No Pasta Lasagna Oh yum! I just had to share my first "cooking" experience since getting the band. I'm on day 3 of mushies. First, I have few cooking skills. I've lived on fast food and frozen dinners for much of my life. This was my masterpiece for one: -canned tomato sauce (plain kind, I added garlic and basil to the sauce -2 Tablespoons tomato sauce (with whatever spices you like...I used garlic and basil) -1 Tablespoon of low fat ricotta cheese -1 teaspoon of skim milk -1/2 teaspoon low fat parm cheese sprinkles 1 teaspoon ground turkey sausage crumbles (Jimmy Dean, precooked) -1 glass 1 Cup custard cup -1/2 low fat string mozzarella cheese, pulled apart First I mixed the milk, parm and ricotta with a fork. I covered the bottom with sauce, then layered the cheese and sauce. The sausage crumbled were precooked, so I just took a teaspoon and ground it up further in my Magic Bullet. The sausage went on top, then the string cheese. Since it was in a glass custard cup, I could put it in the oven. 375 for about 8 minutes. Oh yum. Totally simple, but really hit the spot. Because I used my own homemade tomato sauce, there were no lumps. The string cheese didn't melt particularly well on top, but I stirred this altogether and it was great. I didn't have to chew a whole bunch (I'm still pretty tired and lazy) and the yield was 1/2 cup, which was perfect. I used just a touch of sausage because I hadn't had any meat up to this point and really just wanted some flavoring. It was enough to really fool my mouth into thinking it was really lasagna!! YUMMMM. The was really my *first* real food and my *first* meat, even though it was only a teaspoon. LOL.

If anyone would like to be my "friend" on myfitnesspal.com, my user ID is lifeisjustbeginning2011. I'm still figuring things out, but there is a way where I can share my weight and my daily menus with you guys if you'd like to see. It is free - it syncs online with my iPhone. Way cool.

oh. my. goodness! I had a "good" day yesterday with more energy and able to eat a bit more (still haven't exceeded 1/2 cup). I had a good night's sleep but woke up with my energy totally sapped again. I mean - can't think, focus, etc. Frustrating!! I live in AZ so it is hot - I decided to go to Walmart early (well, 9AM is early for me these days). I was walking down an aisle and suddenly I got "that' feeling. You know, the, "I need a bathroom NOW." Sheer PANIC. I must have had a dear in headlights look on my face as I tried to figure out how I was going to get to the bathroom which was on the opposite side of the store. I took a few steps, deep breath...acted like I was looking at a product.....a few more steps...picked up something else....until finally I was doing lamaze breathing to get to the door. I made it. Thank you GOD. I was all sweaty and lightheaded so I had to checkout and leave right after that. But DANG....the potential for a very embarrassing moment was definitely there. Whew!!!! Lesson learned, make sure the morning bathroom trip is done before going out. I seem to be okay during the daytime, but wow.....not taking a morning trip out for a LONG time. I'm scarred!!

Wow, you're brave to eat out so soon post op! I'm still being a weenie - I won't talk to anyone, watch TV or do anything while eating. I just feel like I don't know when my belly is hungry, full or irritated. I'm not sure I could take the temptation of chips and salsa right now. Brave soul!

I've seen sample sizes at a lot of nutrition stores, and also at Whole Foods. I had the hardest time finding those small packets to try.

pineapple juice, eh? Haven't heard that one but I'm adding it to my list! Thanks!

PB2 is WONDERFUL! They have regular and chocolate PB. bellplantation.com. Well worth it and it makes a nice snack when you put a teaspoon in chocolate pudding. There's some info on my blog a- I'm a PB freak, and this stuff passes my tests!!! YUM!!!!

I'm with BaileyRose. I saw the recipe that uses the mozz sticks, egg sub and crushed up Fiber 1 to make cheesesticks. As soon as I'm off mushies, its the first recipe I'm trying. This recipe is from Hungry Girl (hungry-girl.com). She has some interesting books out (200 foods under 200 calories,etc). I ordered them from my library to see if they're any good...but here's a recipe for you. Not sure how band-friendly her recipes are. More info on my blog. Mozzarella Fix Before creating these cheesy faux fried hunks of heaven, we had totally given up on the whole mozzarella sticks thing. Total bar food... completely greasy and horrible for you. Not anymore, thanks to (you guessed it!) a box of Fiber One and our trusty blender. Check out this super swap and prepare to be wowed (and filled with cheese!)... Ingredients: 2 light mozzarella sticks (50-60 calories and 2.5g fat per stick) 1/4 cup Fiber One bran cereal (original) 2 tbsp. fat-free liquid egg substitute salt, pepper & Italian seasonings; to taste Optional: low-fat marinara sauce (for dipping) Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a food processor or blender, grind Fiber One to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Place crumbs in a small plastic container with a lid. Season crumbs with as much salt, pepper and Italian seasonings as you like. Set aside. Cut cheese sticks in half, so that you have 4 sticks. Place sticks in a small bowl, and pour egg substitute over the top of the sticks. Swirl egg substitute around so that it thoroughly coats the sticks. One by one, transfer sticks to the container with the crumbs. Cover container, and give it a shake to coat the sticks in the crumbs. Carefully return sticks to the dish with egg substitute, and coat them again. Next put sticks back in the crumbs container, cover, and shake once more to coat (try doing this two at a time the second time around). Place sticks on a baking dish sprayed lightly with nonstick spray. Spritz the tops of the sticks with a quick mist of the spray. Place dish in the oven, and bake for 10 minutes (or until the first sign of cheese oozing out). If desired, serve with warm marinara sauce. Best when eaten immediately, while cheese is hot and gooey! Serving Size: 4 pieces Calories: 155 Fat: 5.5g Sodium: 500mg Carbs: 13.5g Fiber: 7g Sugars: 0g Protein: 19g

I use myfitnesspal.com to record what I eat. I'm on my second day of mushies, and honestly, I'm not worried about anything but protein because I had very little in the post op week (couldn't stomach the shakes). I'm just trying to get food in my tummy, period. Today was really the first day that things have gone well and I'm not feeling faint. woohoo!! When you use a program like myfitnessspal, it allows you to see your daily totals in the main areas of nutrition. I can already tell that my choices are high salt and fat, but I'm doing the best I can. My personal goal is 60g of protein for right now, but I'm nowhere near that. As you progress, your needs will change quite a bit, I imagine. I would just try your best to maintain a good balance between everything. The most I've been able to eat (and I was pushing myself) was 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes. Good luck & I'm sure more will respond with their thoughts, too.

I'm so frustrated. Today I'm actually doing well with fluids (24 oz and it is 5pm, which is good for me) and food. I don't understand why my tummy is still rumbling?? My doc suggested 3 meals a day with 2 shakes in between. Ok, I just gave my tummy 4 oz of protein shake and it continues to rumble. This learning curve is really frustrating...finding the balance between grumbling tummy and "oh god I ate too much" is so difficult! Just venting. I guess I shouldn't complain, I'm just thankful that I've found a few foods that are gentle to the tummy and don't taste like mud. LOL.

I found a list of some helpful conversions that I thought I'd post for you guys....I bought unflavored soy protein powder today to start mixing into foods because I just feel so dang weak and exhausted. I'm on mushies, day two. Yesterday I managed to get 500 calories in (but too much salt and fat) but today is going better. Thank goodness I like cheese! The tablespoon conversion really helped because my protein powder is measured in 1/4 cup amounts and I only added 1T to my 1/2 cup serving of lunch. I needed the exact amount to enter in my database at myfitnesspal.com 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup 8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup 16 tablespoons = 1 cup 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces Measure 2 cups = 1 pint 4 cups = 1 quart 4 quarts = 1 U.S. gallon 8 quarts = 1 peck (dry) 16 ounces = 1 pound

There are little business sized cards that you can get (one came from lapband.com and one came from a vitamin sample) that say you had bariatric surgery to please allow you to order a smaller portion or order from the children's menu.

I think this is what happened when I ate Peanut Butter. I had horrible, horrible chest pain. I was only 3 days post op when it happened. I didn't know I couldn't have peanut butter - I thought I was doing a good thing by getting in more Protein. Eeeek. I guess I really was stuck. I never threw up, just was completely uncomfortable for several hours. I was alone when it happened and it was scary!

I'm so scared I'm putting everything in the Magic Bullet until there are zero chunks at all until I can get over this little phobia I have of "the stucks." You haven't seen whipped potatoes till you've seen mine! LOL I've experienced very painful chest tightness (so bad I just walked around the house in circles, moaning), but discovered it was because of Peanut Butter. That alone scared the pants off me and I think I'm extra nervous now because of that.

Now that I'm starting mushies, I'm super nervous about getting stuck. I've seen a few ideas on here (sipping hot tea, papaya enzyme chewables, etc. What else? Does walking help? I thought it might be nice to have ideas and strategies all in one place in case (or when) I have this happen for the first time. Thanks

All you can do is your best. Amy

I wish there was some magic answer to these food questions we have. I'm going to try some potatoes tonight with some cheese, but only a small amount. I've only been able to eat maybe 2 tablespoons at all today. I had the same experience earlier today....I was even writing down the time I started and the times when I burped or showed some sign of fullness, but the discomfort really happened over an hour after I ate. Nothing horrible, but I did need a heating pad. I'm guessing I need to go with super bland stuff in small amounts....tummy just isn't used to solids at all.

Jen- that's awesome!!

I found some "bacon cheeseburger" seasoning at Target. Not the best nutritionally (lots of sodium), but I my idea is that once I'm able to tolerate more texture, maybe I could sprinkle a little bit on some chicken and, with a little imagination, have a "cheeseburger." Maybe one day, some finely chopped ground beef, but we'll see. Amy

I'm on Synthroid .075 daily. I got diagnosed officially about 5 months ago, although my level has been elevated for years but hadn't tipped over into the danger zone until recently. I take it every morning and literally count the minutes down until I can eat! I wake up starving! Glad to find a thread with hypo folks.

I had my first mushy meal! I had 1/2 packet of apple cinnamon oatmeal (don't like it but still ate it) and 1/2 stick of pepperjack cheese. I'm using myfitnesspal.com to plan my day of meals. I was practically foaming at the mouth last night when I was planning today. I'll blog about it more, but take a look at myfitnesspal. I can use it on my iPhone for free and then I can also bring up the data on my computer. I'm not too tech savvy, but I've figured it out. Take some time and play around with it. Here's how I ate my first "real" food. I prepared the oatmeal packet and then ran it through the magic bullet to make sure there weren't any leftover apple pieces. I ate it one small bite at a time, waiting 1 minute between each bite. It took about 10-15 minutes. I waited 2-3 minutes and then ate the 1/2 cheese stick. I realized I had forgotten the cardinal rule (eat protein first!). Oops. After I was finished, I went and laid down on my bed so I could feel for tummy sounds since I still don't understand what is just normal gurgling and what is hungry. After about 30 minutes, I decided to eat the other half of the cheese stick. It was so good. Unfortunately, I must have been full already, because after I finished the other half, I felt SO FULL. Not to the point of chest pains, but like I'd eaten a huge meal. I have that sleepy feeling I get after Thanksgiving dinner!! I have my day carefully planned with small, easy amounts. There's aren't really any veggies today, mostly just things I like to eat that should agree with my tummy. Take about anxiety, though. All I can think of is food and even though I'm full, I still want to know when my next meal is. Getting to know when I feel hungry is going to be a big task. Not drinking immediately before, during or after is meal is going to be strange as well. It has been a long two weeks without solids. Baby steps, Amy.....baby steps. I'm still super tired and I know I'm not getting enough water, but I'm going to work on that today. Amy

Glad to hear you're doing well! I guess I should be thankful that I live alone and don't have to worry about kids or a husband when I'm recovering.