Tracy46545

I love this thread and intend to keep it active...c'mon everyone...we all need to share our meal ideas! yesterday....(not sleeved yet) Breakfast: hot cocoa, hot tea, Aldi's no sugar added Probiotics yogurt lunch: lowfat seasoned cream cheese stuffed into two celery stalks rotisserie chicken salad Kroger's Carbmaster yogurt supper: spaghetti squash with low-fat, low-sugar pasta meat sauce topped with low fat italian cheese dessert: 2 sugar free fudgesicles, smooshed in a bowl with a tablespoon of Cool Whip Free and a Tablespoon of no-sugar added peanut butter (from Trader Joes...incredible!) Breakfast today (Sunday) Swiss Miss diet cocoa (25 cal), with a splash of gingerbread spice creamer. 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese with some splenda and cinnamon mixed in. (this helps with that craving for a Cinnabon 5000000 calorie roll) snack...sugar free jello with Cool Whip Free late lunch....stuffed flounder (with crab meat) and edamame (about 2/3 cup) snack....4 squares sugar free chocolate...1.25 net carbs in this portion Supper......Broiled swai (vietnamese catfish)....and either spaghetti squash or edamame I'm doing my preop diet a little earlier because I will be traveling immediately prior and may not be able to be real diligent with my food choices. (Dog shows are not known for the availability of healthy food choices :mad0:)

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE being able to avoid the angst of the scale by only weighing once a month, preferably at my doctor's office which has the most wonderful scale in the world and always weighs me 3# less than my scale at home! There used to be a resturant in Chicago that had a mirror in the women's room that was super flattering...I remember when the resturant closed down, my sister-in-law called them to see what they were going to do with the fixtures...lol...she wanted that mirror! do what makes you comfortable!

I got a follow-up call in the evening about Archie's loss yesterday...it seems he really misbehaved on the examination table when the judge tried to look at his teeth. (he had a mouth injury about 6 weeks ago when he got hit in the mouth by a ball (kicked by a soccer player). His handler (a lovely woman from China) worked with him all afternoon, asking strangers to look in his mouth and then give him a juicy treat. He's over it. ...on to the next day.

Carolyn, I remember going to a grooming competition in Chicago a number of years ago. A woman there (from St. Louis) was competing with a Bichon/ Poodle mix. It was what I would call.....a parti-color Bichon...groomed totally as a Bichon...but it had a totally black head, face and ears, sort of speckled (think Springer Spaniel ticking) legs and then a parti-color body and tail. She told me that originally the owner was grooming it as a poodle, but when they came to her they wanted something different. She started growing out the coat and shaping the head more Bichon Style because of his head type and long profuse tail. She won the entire competition that day with him...he was absolutely stunning! It gave me a new appreciation for 1) skilled grooming 2) mixed breeds.... lol.

somebody come chat...I should be pre-packing or getting the house cleaned..but just can't focus on anything right now.

My pcp tried to act all offended that I was going to Mexico for surgery when I got my lapband. I reminded him very quickly that he was the one that made it necessary! You see, he had told me he would write a letter for my insurance company (back when I had insurance) if I could maintain a diet for 9 months. I went on South Beach diet...with pretty good success...weighed in monthly with him. In my 9th month I went on a vacation and had Thanksgiving..and I gained 3 pounds back. He told me at the next weigh in that I had exhibited a "loss of focus" and he didn't feel he could recommend me for lapband surgery to the insurance company. (Assho*e) So...I reminded him that because of his lack of understanding and the eventual loss of my insurance...he had forced my hand to get help out of the country because that was the only way it was affordable for me. He was very supportive at my next visit. lol I phoned his office today and left a message with his nurse that I was having revision surgery on the 14th and for him to reach me Monday or Tuesday if he wanted to discuss anything with me about it. My lapband aftercare doctor is dead set against the VSG...but I'm pretty sure he'll still let me attend support group meetings and will run my labs for me if the PCP refuses. I absolutely refuse to allow a PCP to exclusively make decisions on what's good for me etc. I will listen to what they have to say...but I will make the decision myself.

Glad you're feeling well Slim! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Lan, I add egg whites (well beaten) into my cooked Cream of wheat. just stir them in when the cream of wheat is done and the carryover heat will cook the egg whites. It adds about 3 1/2 gms Protein per egg and I honestly can't taste a difference. It seems to make them creamier...but then again..I add pumpkin spice creamer to it anyway..lol just another idea! Tracy

ok..I live alone (well..me and the three Bichons) How many of you are cooking for one? Do you cook a meal for your family and then something different for you? (ie, lower cal, less carbs, low fat, high Protein etc). Or...since we can eat such small amounts do you just eat what they eat in tiny portions? and..for those of you that cook for one....how about sharing some ideas? I find myself cooking something..and then eating it all week which leads to boredom and the craving to stop at a fast food joint and grab some variety. Am I making any sense?

Sorry guys..I'm in a bit of a "troublemaker" mood today.. if I offend anyone ...well...just shove it all back out the door! Funny thing...the re-programming of the tv?...I have a story. I had a friend who's husband cheated on her. They had just gotten a brand new huge tv with all sorts of bells and whistles. She blocked all channels except the Lifetime channel. You could also program this tv to show a message on the screen at a set time so she set it to show various messages every half hour....like: Spineless bastard cheating louse mother fu**ker pencil di*k adultrous jackass scum sucking pig etc etc....(you get the point) ... she then packed her bags and took the tv remote, and the instruction booklet with her and left! and no....it wasn't me...but I wish I'd thought of that! hehehe..

Mutti, I must say, if you can tolerate all that variety of proteins at 16 weeks out....you can easily live without beef..! lol I hope I can handle that much variety by that point.

Carolyn247, Purebred Bichon Frise only come in white.

(sneaking in real quick to scatter some potpurri around)..."smells like a men's locker room in here!" hehe

LMAO...."pride goeth before a fall" He lost today. :cursing::cursing:

(wandering into the "men's room", reprogramming the big screen tv to only show C-span and home decorator shows....replacing the beer with fruity foo foo drinks...replacing the chips and salsa with celery sticks and carrot slices. Turning around to look...."hmm...it needs some doilies and frilly curtains! I'll bring those next time!") tiptoeing out......shhhhhhhhhh

I'm using the work computer right now....none of my personal stuff on it...but I have tons of photo's at home. I'll try .. later. In between Pre-packing suitcase, cleaning, creating my last will and testament (just in case), cleaning out the fridge, stocking up on dog food, doing laundry, writing out instructions for the crew it takes to run things while I'm gone.....um....I'm sure I'll still have time.. lol I have tomorrow off. (of course my mother, who is admittedly sick with "the crud", wants me to come see her "before you go off to a foreign country and have major surgery"....subtle guilt trip). Dog shows are my escape from life.

Hey all, I have been posting here for a few weeks...(I tend to jump right into forums like these). I figured with my surgery date less than 2 weeks away I better tell my story now. I work as a private duty in the home caregiver for an alzheimer's patient. I am the case manager and senior caregiver, working 48 hours a week on average. I handle all his doctor visits, liason between the doctors and the family, and manage the scheduling, payroll and household staff. I had a lapband placed in Sept 2006. At one point I was up to 1.75 cc in a 4 cc band and life was good. I was managing my portions, losing weight, feeling good. That all changed when I took my first plane ride. I spent a week not keeping anything down except the thinnest of Protein shakes. At that time, my after care doctor was a five hour drive away. It was difficult to get off work or get coverage for my job so timing of getting an unfill was always a problem. I got a slight unfill after this first "too tight" episode and things seemed to settle down for a month or so. I had another trip coming up that required air travel so I went to my aftercare doctor and had a smidge more taken out just to be sure. They took me down to 1 cc in a 4 cc band and checked my restriction under fluroscopy. Everything looked fine. I flew, had trouble again, returned...spent a miserable week...and went back to the aftercare doctor. They checked under fluroscopy again and took out another .25cc. Ok...relief.....briefly. Another trip just before Thanksgiving in 2008 (air travel again) and it put me over the edge. This time I was vomiting blood, sleeping sitting up in a chair ...(yes, at my friend's house while on a "getaway" weekend.) We'd go for a walk and I'd have to retch into the bushes five or six times in a 3 block walk. When I got home from that trip I insisted on a total unfill. I spent the holidays rebuilding my strength and hydration, and gaining 8 pounds. January 2009 I went down to Mexicali to accompany a friend who was getting the sleeve. I had Dr. Campos give me a conservative refill under fluro, 1.3cc, hoping to find that elusive sweet spot again. Returned home, 2 weeks later had to have it all removed. Total unfill again. Mind you..I'm following the entire "bandster plan"...small bites, chew 9000 times, no liquids 30 min before or after meals etc etc... In late February I tried again....this time working with an aftercare doctor in my home area...(only 1/2 hour away..YAYYYY...I had hopes this would improve things). He gave me 1 cc, I drank 6 oz Water in his office (no fluro, it's $650 there). No problems....at first. I lost weight, got back down within two pounds of my lowest weight before the problems all started. I had a trip planned (driving this time) and had him remove just .25 to reduce any chance of "travel stress syndrome" issues. Ok...so now I'm at .75 in my 4 cc band. Tolerated my trip, no major problems. Late May 2009...and the same symptoms from Autumn 2008 rear up again. Vomiting everything, bloodshot eyes from vomiting every meal, constant belching, scalding acid reflux, eating PPI's like candy, swigging Maalox straight from the bottle and using up a bottle every two days. I chewed more rolaids, tums and papaya extract than a competive Chili eater! Aftercare doc #2 put me on Kapidex....minimal change. In June of 2009, I couldn't take it anymore. I got a total unfill and started checking seriously into the VSG. My acid reflux symptoms would totally disappear when unfilled at least. The last several months...despite being totally unfilled, I often feel restriction, still occasionally vomit and experience constant belching which frankly wears me out. First thing out of my mouth in the morning is a belch, I go to sleep belching. Wake up in the night belching. (needless to say...it has all but ruined my sex life!). I'm self pay, the band isn't even paid for in full yet and now I'm coming up again with $$$$$$$$$$$ to pay for another surgery. Thank god I've remained employed through this tough economy but there is no job security when you work private duty for an old person. (they could "go" at any time). I've really had to crunch numbers, rob Peter to pay Paul and put myself into credit card hell which I only can hope to recover from as my energy and health returns. Which brings me to now... It has taken a major cooperative effort at work to cover my shifts so I can be gone for surgery and recuperation time. I will travel alone to Mexico but feel very comfortable doing that. I have utmost faith and trust in the compassion and expert care I will receive and am at peace with my decision. My only fear is that something has been damaged inside and the revision won't be possible. However, I know that if anyone can do it....Dr. Aceves can. One way or the other...at minimal...this band is coming OUT! I will return to cold snowy weather but I have a team of friends that have promised to shovel walks for me while I recuperate. My neighbors are the best! December 14th is my day...keep me in your prayers and thoughts. That's my story...and I'm stickin' to it!

I'm just so glad to see that doctors now want to followup for five years! I think if there had been more followup to the Inamed bands alot of us wouldn't be needing revisions 2 yrs down the road! (again...working on tea instead of coffee...so not sure that made sense).

hmmmmm I'll have to remember to ask him again. It just seems like I "sip" better from a straw...I tend to gulp otherwise.

yes V.A ... ICBINB is I can't believe it's not butter........holy hell who was the marketing genius that thought up that product name?? The brown sugar Splenda blend and ICBINB is what my mom uses to flavor all the winter squashes except spaghetti squash. Acorn, butternut, buttercup,...all of them. They still need a sprinkle of good coarse salt...(I love Kosher salt or sea salt). I had spaghetti squash again last night...love it with my sauce and some low fat cheese. This time I spritzed it with olive oil, italian spices and some S & P before adding the sauce...Yummo! Tracy

I know my surgeon is going to tell me not to use a straw for any drinking after surgery. What I can't remember is why? Tracy

sheesh...I can sure tell I had tea instead of coffee this morning..... What I meant to say was ........I like that imagery of feeling your food going through your system. Tracy

good advice Shontel! I like the "imagery" idea of feeling your body go through your system! Tracy

Hi Jodi, welcome...and don't panic. You stopped losing weight when you starting working out with a trainer? Your body is probably reacting to the more intense workouts and hanging onto weight for the moment...once your body accustoms to the increased intensity...it will let go of some weight again. Also if you are building muscle, muscle weighs more than fat. I'm sure you're looking spectacular!!!! Tracy

Chancie, thanks...I'll try to post some pictures tonight..I'm not too techie so no guarantees. This boy that won yesterday is heading to China on December 15 so we wanted to get his show career started before he left (he'll be back in May for our National Specialty in Indianapolis). I just know he's going to be an international star! lol:biggrin0: