SteveFrett

Woah!!! Let me set record straight while I Dodge the rotten fruit being thrown at me..... guess I must be doing something wrong too because 6 yrs banded, and I still mess up too at times as well. ... we all make mistakes! Do I sometimes forgot and eat something I shouldn't, I'd be a bold face liar if I said no. My comment was meant to tell us all to Think before we eat.... not trying to say anyone is Stupid... so drop the torches & pitchforks, call of the villagers ...geesh.

I know I come off as some crazy lunitic, but it's just me. I'm sarcastic but not in a harmful way just my warped view of life. I enjoy helping others, gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, Oh wait that's something else that does that.. LOL... Seriously Ibasicly decided i can't eat what i loved to eat before so, now I make the things that caused me to become the FAT KID to all everyone else... All part of my evil plan to make the entire universe FAT KIDS! HA HA HA ...

LOL I was told i should write a cook book called The Former Fat Kid's Resturant Secrets.. See You're using your Noggin.. Burgers unfortunatly can't be substitued god part is if eaten without a bun and in small bites, You'll see it's not taboo now. Most will find it the only source of beef they may be able to handle. But crumbled up or made into a patty it's the same. It's realy simple if you think about it. Bread is made of Flour, Yeast. water.. What else is made from same ingridents, but is a totaly different texture? Crackers, Now again walk down your local supermarket isle, how many different types of crackers are available? Thousands! People say I miss Subway.. Again you can go get cold cuts , but have them shave the meats, Turkey, Roast Beef Chicken Breast, Bologna.. not going to name every meat in a deli case but you get the Idea.. And again replace the bread with a cracker. Put a small amount of meat and a small piece of cheese bam... Instant mini sandwich. But I must stress this to ALL.. This is not to be a everyday option. Wisdom in the wrong hands can be leathal.

Hi & welcome to ALL the newbies on the Forum, I have been reading and have been forwarded some of your Posts and Blogs and thought I should make a post so you can save yourself the trouble of having to post. I can't stress to all of you the importance of sticking to your diet steps! Many of you are at different stages but all seem to be having the same problems. For those of you whom are at Pre-Op stage. If your required to lose weight before, now is the time to start. Everyone has been asking can they have lets say their "Last meal" the Answer is Yes, But don't make it a week long event. Pick ONE DAY/NIGHT eat whatever it is you want to devour before they put the inner fat kid in a straight Jacket. To many have been going wild. Party's over. For those who are in the liquid Stage... People it's not Rocket Science.. it's liquids... if you can't determine what's a liquid, i seriuosly think you need to go back to elemetry school. I'm not trying to offend anyone Please don't take what I say like that. It's more a sarcastic way of saying THINK! Now those in the first fill pending stage.. Yes you have a Band strapped around your stomach but , it has yet to have any saline injected, so Yes your going to be able to eat alot, not as much as before, OBVIOUSLY! So don't take not having a fill yet as "Free Ticket" because your going to discover the unpleastries that come with trying. If your due for a fill go! Remember one thing everyone, the only person your hurting is yourself. I knwo it's hard not to eat, your stomach is growling, and with all the day to day stresses we face it makes it that more harder to resist. But do yourself the favor, if you feel hungry inbetwen meals SIP Water , DO NOT drink with a straw it makes more gas and will be even more painful. and never chug anything!!!! I will tell you all a tip: anything cold will cause your throat to tighten up and restrict you. Anything Hot will do the opposite it wil lhelp relax your throat. so keep that tid bit in mind. anyone else who has been filled more than once and has been banded for a year or more, and still makes foolish mistakes, i say this WHATSA MATTA U?

doing everything right, diet is perfect. again Rebecca, takes time. you won't see it so much in begining becuase it's so gradual but your on the track keep up the great work!

Yeah reached goal few yrs back. How's it going so far for yourself winsane?

Hi, I was forwarded your question from another newbie like yourself, happy to help you on your new chapter, only eat when required too, don't eat because stomach is grumbling. That's only going to lead to future bad habbits that can slow progress. Your doing everything correct. Stick to The Sugar free jello, and basic soup stocks. When you drink water remember it can't be Ice Cold, that will cause your esophagus to tighten, and don't drink from a straw, that creates gas, speaking of gas, your going to experience sharp pain in your chest & neck area, that is built up gas from surgery, takes time to dissipate, also will happen if you drink to fast. When the hunger starts do exactly what you've been doing drink water,just take slow,small sips remember no straws. Don't get frustrated or scared I along with many others are here to help and answer. Feel free to ask for my help or guidance

Oh, well again Rebecca, each person is different too, some take longer to shed the weight, but you've even said it,clothing is loose, summer time is also tough too. What are you eating for solid food?

I also want to say I don't condone doing this as a way to cheat, i merely offer to those who want to have the option of having old favorites but in a healither and capable way of eating them. And obviously i can't convert every fast food resturant entree, can't change a hambuger! or chicken but the cut of meat can be modified. Many supermarkets are starting to carry Shaved Beef, Very Delcious! for those who struggle with Chicken, A key is the moisture in the meat white meat as we all know is dry, but if cooked properly will be as moist and juicy. the proper way is to cook on low heat and for long time. keep skin on chicken, helps keep moisture in bird while cooking again your deli counter or section will have extra thin or shaved cut meats such as ham, bologna,turkey, use a triscut, wheat thin, cracker as alternative for sliced bread. Sorry If i repeat myself but just want to make sure i am making my self clear and that you all understand what i am trying to say.

My biggest preoblem was I ama damn MAverick, always a fussy eater befire nver one toeat fish, veggies, my diet was fast food. so how does one who lived on fast food change their eating habbits, I did the liqiud diet and soft food as i was supose too, but once the green light hit for real food... that's when the real challange began! I tried eating Mcdonalds only to find out the buns were killing me so i treid without bun, still no good. Must be all that Processed crap they used instead of beef. So I gave up on that same for Buger King. So when the burger crave hits i make my own burgers. like i said the leaner the beef the better, i still don't use a bun just cut it into small pieces,dip and down the hatch. but chew it good, small, slow bites. Steak is an expensive alternative, Fillet Mingion! i will say the serloins,T-bones and prime rib all must be of a good marblized grain a good mix of white and red in a marble swirl is what your looking for, the more marbling, the more tender the meat. the eaiser it is to eat. Pasta was another b***h fo me, Being Italian, bread was heard enough to say ciao too pasta.. Ok this is what I can handle don't go by me trial and error is only way.. Ravioli is hard but two or three tops depending on size and how stuffed it is.in replacement of spagetti, I have Angle hair or Capalinni, again small amount. But I did find a fool proof way, Now my MOm woill be rolling over in her Grave , Sorry MOm but gotta do what I gotta do to eat , she understands, but is pissed no doubt! Spagetti O's yep , your plain jane can of spagetti O's what i do is add salt, pepper, onion& gralic powder, Oregano, basil, grated cheese into pot with O's mix up let cook for few minuets and TA DA pasta that has a better taste than tomato soup with noodle rings swimming in it. It's Delicious. i also buy the boxes of pastina, or stars, even alphabets so i can practice my spelling while i eat, LOL and either use my own home made sauce or jar of prego, ragu, your favorite, and so same with pasta like O's . I still have my Pasta but suited to how i can enjoy it. I also never followed a calorie intake, as you all do. so measuring portions will also have to be considered as well.

Your not alone Rebecca, your in good hands with these ladies! Just watch out for that Carolina girl, LMAO kidding! Seriously what she and Dolt said is most important and the truth. I was banded 6 years ago, lost 160 lbs and maintained my weight, it's hard but as time passes you become more adapted to it.

Both focus on fat/calories and protien/veggies Yeah sure you can substitue chicken, instead go to deli and ask for chicken breast, so many variations now, buffalo..etc.. but again must be SHAVED. yea steak um's are frozen many stores have own brand, I have even seen shaved beef in the Meat sections and have tried that for philly cheese nachos! I think they may have even gone as far a s making chicken steaks too.. Turkey can also be used too!

Wow good for him too! LOL subway is easy just get shaved cold cuts.. I found that in replacement of sliced bread, Triscuits, small, crunchy,fiber, or a Pita cut in halk only one side toasted. Melba Toast, saltines. again all in bread family but none will expand in stomach and less starch = less sugar Mcdonald's, Wendy's ... just don't eat the bun, small nibbles and chew chew chew, taco bell same as before.. Dominos... Now this is where it contradicts itself, For Pizza I use a Flour Tortilla, wheat can be used too.. whatever size you prefer 12", 9" ... now if you have a Piza Stone that is a plus if not no buggie not needed. just helps make crust crispier. take the tortilla and poke fork holes into it so when it bakes it dosent bubble up. apply a smal, thin coating on olive oil to tortilla and place in oven for 3 minuets or until it starts to darken at edges. remove from oven, apply thin light layer of sauce, and put back into oven for 2 minuets remove put low fat or fat free mozzarella or whatever cheese you prefer, and bake again until cheese has melted, if you want to put toppings make sure they are small enough to chew and to pass make it crumbled if needed. Bojangles.. None of them in NY but i'll checkhave so many resturants secret recipes!

All of what your experiencing Rebecca is normal. so don't get frustrated, your body is still adapting to the foreign object inside you, your metabolisim is also adjusting , you will have flux in weight gain & loss as you start,but once you move to solid foods your stabilize and loss will come, i know we all want instant results, but your doing great , congrats to you and hang in there like you said your frustrated but refuse to give up. Slow & steady wins every time. GOOD LUCK & CONGRATS! Steve

Ah Meican food, Lets address that one, As you may know steak is a no no for us bandittios, Only for simple fact is too much fat, or its to thick, well here's my secret for recipies that call for steak, Steak Um's Yes Minute steaks, easy to make quick, thin and lean. Chop it up into small pieces sautee them in onions with a small amout of extra virgin olive oil or sprinkle onion powder, minced onions, however you enjoy it. nOW GROUND BEEF IS STILL OK FOR US, BUT IT HAS TO BE THE LEANEST YOU CAN GET, 85/15 Is obviously good, 90/10 is better but again whatever is available and within your budget. use lift or fat free sour cream and same for cheeses but try to get the finest grate of cheese possible, Salsa are hard too because of chunks of veggies, so hers what you'll do , take the amount your having and put into a small food processor, or blender, and puree it for about a minuet or untill a whipped consistancy. In replacement of Flour Tortillas use Tortila chips. Anything that goes into something can just as easily now be on top of it. Just be careful of Spices. they do repeat and sure ain't pleasant at 2 A.M. Give me your feedback on this please, like i said give me a specific recipe so i can be more precice to the entree

Applebees & chillies no problem, BBQ is my Specialty dear,pitmaster at your disposal! What fast food restaurants?

Hi Carolina girl, just tell me the restaurants and the entrees I'll see what I can do for y'all

Hey all while surfing Google play store I came across a Great App for those in beginning stages or advanced, it's called my lapband, it's 100% free app, allows you to chart your fills, keep track of visits, just a good app to have, as well as the lapband talk forum app, is also free and available on all phone's, so check them out folks,

Thanks for the nice comment Meredith, perhaps you may be right... anything I can do to help fellow bandittos

Hey pbk how's it going? My biggest enemy Italian food... what in particular is it? Pasta or something else?

Hey pbk how's it going? My biggest enemy Italian food... what in particular is it? Pasta or something else?

Well finally some info, lol... well I'm sorry that job jammed you like that. Sucks to be at a lull. Congrats on your new chapter! 65 so far, good! Unfortunately don't know of any hospitals or Dr's in CT, nevermind Milford... I can however give you the info for my Dr. She doe's fills out of office in Westchester, White plains. She will also work with you on payment for fill until insurance kicks in. She's is one of the best in NY, she did Al Rockers gastric bypass and Muhammad Ali's daughter, Kayla. She's based out of NYU. where are you moving from, to move back home? As for me, I was spawned and raised in NY,44 divorced, have 11 ye old son from marriage, engaged to fiancée, trials & tribulations. .. way to many to tell in one sitting Never Surrender

Hey everyone, Last night while eating out @ outback, I was discussing the struggles I went thru in beginning w/ fiancée. How it was so hard having to eliminate eating the dishes I loved at famous restaurants and how I put my imagination and cooking skills together and figured out how to make them myself at home, but make it with ingredients I know will pass and stay down. So she said why not share that info with others on board.DUH... glad she's got some smarts left... so, here I am willing to share Some of my tricks to all whom are interested, Best way I think this can work is to tell me the restaurant(s) and the dish you're no longer able to eat now, I'll check my data base and happily share either original way to prepare for friends or Family or modified for yourself. So if you would like please either ask here on posting or send private message. Not saying I have EVERY RESTAURANTS recipes, BUT MAJORITY OF MOST POPULAR PLACES. hope I can help! Steve Never Surrender

Hi quadie, Sorry to hear about job loss I can relate. I also know how stress can effect weight loss, I had the reverse issue, I was dropping 15 lbs every two weeks. Had 0 desire to eat anything. .. yeah GMC does make a good Protein mix, but for better price Vitamin shoppe was best bet. Easily 25% cheaper than GNC, but not a popular franchise so best to get where u can for best $ proud of you keeping a positive attitude, your drink combos are great too. So hate to sound cliche but, slow & steady always wins.. frustrating as all hell but the end results outweigh it all you'll see soon! Keep in touch let me know how you're doing, happy to help if you need some anytime. Steve Never Surrender

well, hello Kelly.. lol.. pleased to meet you, Yes it's without a doubt. Tell me about you, have you been banded yet, if so when & how's progress going? age, where do you live now? Why Milford? Sorry for the interrogation. :-) Never Surrender