Nicki823

Your post is so interesting to me, especially because it's your only post since you joined LBT in September 2010. If you've belonged to LBT that long and never once posted even a single question until now, you must be really, really desperate, and that's hard for me to ignore. But before I start sharing my thoughts and ideas with you, I need to know something. Just tell me this. Have you given up on yourself and your band? I don't care which way you answer, but if your answer is "Yes, I've given up," I want to hear you say it. And if yes is your answer, I'll be on my merry way, because giving up is not in my personal vocabulary, so my kind of advice probably wouldn't suit you.
If on the other hand you haven't given up, I'd like to hear you say that, loud and proud. If that's your answer, I'm your girl. I will bombard you with questions, answers, ideas, and possibilities. In fact, I'll be all over you like white on rice. I will pester the living daylights out of you, until you may wish you never heard my name. We will find a way to move you forward on your WLS journey, even if it's a bumpy ride and the scenery's lousy. I won't leave your side for one freaking second, until you finally turn to me and say, "OK, I got it now!"
So, what'll it be? Just say the word. It's very basic though perhaps not easy. Choose one: yes or no. Yes, I give up, or no, I don't give up.
Jean

Agreed, C25K!

I wrote a huge post yesterday on my phone and it did not post. Urggg.
Anyway here are my thoughts as a Greek chick.
If your Greek place does not make Avgolemono (Greek Lemon Soup) find a new place! Does have rice but with no restriction you should be fine.
chicken Kabobs, usually chicken and veggies would be good option. They may also have Lamb Kabobs.
They will most likely also have bone in roasted chicken seasoned with lemon.
Tzatziki- is a yogurt sauce made with dill and cucumber which would help if you think the food is good dry.
Greek garlic roasted potatos are to die for when made right.
There may be a veggies in tomato sauce side dish (though squash and zucini are not in season right now.
Higher in fat options
Pasticho- baked Pasta with cheese- May be made with ground lamb. Personally I prefer vegetarian version no meat. But my family eats it as a side dish and not as the main meal.
Mousaka- potato and eggplant but topped with white sauce. (not my personal fav but...)
I would stay away from Spanokopita/Tiropita- What Americans call Spinach pie
Very high in fat and may get clumpy in your pouch. The phyllo can get doughy if it sits around (and many places make a large pan and then heat up individual servings when you order.
9 times out of 10 restaurant Baklava sucks, been sitting around to long and the top layers are no longer crunchy. And there is a pool of honey on the bottom. The sauce should absorb into the phyllo. If there is a huge amount in the pan they've put to much. Yes my vent of the day. Just my opinion though I am admittedly biased.

The first 24 hours was horrible for me. HORRIBLE shoulder pain and back pain from all the gas, I was ready to have it taken out! It does pass and it will get better. Hang in there and don't hesitate to take your pain meds when you need them. I used a heating pad, both on my back/shoulders AND on my stomach as my nurse told me it helps with the gas. I'm 10 days post-op and I feel pretty darn good!
I called my mom crying one night about 5 days after surgery because I was so frustrated that I was having such a hard time. I've had 2 c-sections and I felt like I did MUCH better with those (where you stay in the hospital for 2 days) than I did with the band, which was outpatient for me. She said: when you have a c-section, they cut you open take the baby out and sew you up. What you had done, they cut you open - 5 times - moved your liver, repaired a hernia, strapped a band on your stomach, put your liver back and closed you up - 5 times. It's bound to be a little rougher.
It made sense to me and I lightened up on myself a lot. It's overwhelming in the beginning, but I promise it will get better.