UTGal99

I LOVE to cook and am just wrapping up the pureed stage off my diet. Here are some of my favorite concoctions - enjoy!
Egg salad - couple eggs, 1 tsp of mayo, 1/2 tsp of spicy brown mustard, salt & pepper - puree until smooth
Buffalo chicken - can of chicken, 1 tbsp blue cheese crumbles, 2 tbsp ranch dressing, 1 tsp. of buffalo sauce, salt & pepper - puree until smooth - MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!
Squash casserole - 1 can of squash with vidalia onion, 2 tbsp of cream cheese, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, salt & pepper, 1 tsp margarine/butter, 1 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese - puree until smooth, pour into dish and microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly
Pintos and cheese - 1 can of Pintos with onion - puree until smooth, pour into dish and cover with 2 tbsp. of shredded cheddar cheese - microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly - stir well to combine the cheese - optional: add a bit of enchilada sauce if you are looking for more flavor.
Lemon Ricotta Creme
Take one 15 oz. container of part skim ricotta cheese, add the zest of one lemon, juice of half the lemon, 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 4 packets of splenda - puree until smooth - AWESOME!!!!
You can do variations on this should you choose - substitue orange zest and 1 tbsp. of orange juice with orange extract or keep vanilla extract for a dreamsicle taste. chocolate ricotta creme is easy too by substituting 2 tbsp. cocoa powder instead of zest and juice, same vanilla extract and splenda to sweeten.
Perfect sweet tooth item instead of the same old pudding and/or jell-o and it has a high concentration of Protein due to the ricotta cheese. Enjoy!
Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower (tastes a lot like mashed potatoes, but very low carb!)
1 bag of frozen cauliflower florets
1 tsp butter/margarine
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
1/4 cup of milk
Blend until smooth, pour into a casserole dish and top with another 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and microwave for 90 seconds - enjoy!

I LOVE to cook and am just wrapping up the pureed stage off my diet. Here are some of my favorite concoctions - enjoy!
Egg salad - couple eggs, 1 tsp of mayo, 1/2 tsp of spicy brown mustard, salt & pepper - puree until smooth
Buffalo chicken - can of chicken, 1 tbsp blue cheese crumbles, 2 tbsp ranch dressing, 1 tsp. of buffalo sauce, salt & pepper - puree until smooth - MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!
Squash casserole - 1 can of squash with vidalia onion, 2 tbsp of cream cheese, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, salt & pepper, 1 tsp margarine/butter, 1 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese - puree until smooth, pour into dish and microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly
Pintos and cheese - 1 can of Pintos with onion - puree until smooth, pour into dish and cover with 2 tbsp. of shredded cheddar cheese - microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly - stir well to combine the cheese - optional: add a bit of enchilada sauce if you are looking for more flavor.
Lemon Ricotta Creme
Take one 15 oz. container of part skim ricotta cheese, add the zest of one lemon, juice of half the lemon, 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 4 packets of splenda - puree until smooth - AWESOME!!!!
You can do variations on this should you choose - substitue orange zest and 1 tbsp. of orange juice with orange extract or keep vanilla extract for a dreamsicle taste. chocolate ricotta creme is easy too by substituting 2 tbsp. cocoa powder instead of zest and juice, same vanilla extract and splenda to sweeten.
Perfect sweet tooth item instead of the same old pudding and/or jell-o and it has a high concentration of Protein due to the ricotta cheese. Enjoy!
Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower (tastes a lot like mashed potatoes, but very low carb!)
1 bag of frozen cauliflower florets
1 tsp butter/margarine
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
1/4 cup of milk
Blend until smooth, pour into a casserole dish and top with another 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and microwave for 90 seconds - enjoy!

I won't do it again. Not worth the worry. I should have stayed away from the lemon and chili powder.

You really won't be hungry for a few weeks....at least that was my experience and my hubby's and several other friends I know.
You will get hungry, but you will learn to differentiate between true hunger, head hunger and the difference between true hunger and thirst.
Good luck! You will do great!

Yup, normal thought. I thought that too. But in less than a month you have lost 17lbs!!! THATS AWESOME. Ever done that before?? Probably not.
If you follow your plan from your doc, you will not stay fat. Set realistic expectations, 10lbs a month, or 2lbs a week - something like that. Don't be hard on yourself -- that negativity and self defeating attitude and feelings of undeserving unworthiness are what keeps the weight on and if you're like me, caused the weight to pile on!!
And, if you are a slow loser, so what, you are still a LOSER! Slow weight loss can help your skin, can keep nosy people from noticing rapid weight loss, help you cement and solidify good habits. There's a slow losers board. Read it, look at the tickers from people posting a year ago -- they all lost BIG amounts of weight. You'll get there too!
Have faith in the tool you chose and use it to the best of your ability. That's all you can do!

You look great! Very toned too - what kind of exercises are you doing? Arms look awesome.

Thanks for he heads up. I've been looking for a good book fir my kindle, for on my flight to mx friday, for my Saturday surgery.

No trouble here with the spiciness if the buffalo recipe. I looked forward to eating something a bit spicy and flavorful! I was a bit unsure, as you, with my first few bites. But no problems so far. I've been putting Tabasco on my morning egg and Sriracchi (sp?) on my refried beans! Love it! So glad my new little stomach still likes the spice!

Thanks so much for these purée recipes. I just started stage 2 today and am already tired of the thought of mashed potatoes and Soup all the time. I had the pinto Beans and cheese with salsa for lunch today and it was very satisfying.

Thank I tried the squash amazing .. You have really made my day

I LOVE to cook and am just wrapping up the pureed stage off my diet. Here are some of my favorite concoctions - enjoy!
Egg salad - couple eggs, 1 tsp of mayo, 1/2 tsp of spicy brown mustard, salt & pepper - puree until smooth
Buffalo chicken - can of chicken, 1 tbsp blue cheese crumbles, 2 tbsp ranch dressing, 1 tsp. of buffalo sauce, salt & pepper - puree until smooth - MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!
Squash casserole - 1 can of squash with vidalia onion, 2 tbsp of cream cheese, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, salt & pepper, 1 tsp margarine/butter, 1 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese - puree until smooth, pour into dish and microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly
Pintos and cheese - 1 can of Pintos with onion - puree until smooth, pour into dish and cover with 2 tbsp. of shredded cheddar cheese - microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly - stir well to combine the cheese - optional: add a bit of enchilada sauce if you are looking for more flavor.
Lemon Ricotta Creme
Take one 15 oz. container of part skim ricotta cheese, add the zest of one lemon, juice of half the lemon, 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 4 packets of splenda - puree until smooth - AWESOME!!!!
You can do variations on this should you choose - substitue orange zest and 1 tbsp. of orange juice with orange extract or keep vanilla extract for a dreamsicle taste. chocolate ricotta creme is easy too by substituting 2 tbsp. cocoa powder instead of zest and juice, same vanilla extract and splenda to sweeten.
Perfect sweet tooth item instead of the same old pudding and/or jell-o and it has a high concentration of Protein due to the ricotta cheese. Enjoy!
Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower (tastes a lot like mashed potatoes, but very low carb!)
1 bag of frozen cauliflower florets
1 tsp butter/margarine
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
1/4 cup of milk
Blend until smooth, pour into a casserole dish and top with another 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and microwave for 90 seconds - enjoy!

I don't know how to say this, so I am just going to say it: It seems like there is a much bigger issue here than you realize. If your husband already has an opinion as to what you wear when you go out, this surgery and your subsequent weight loss will only make the situation worse. I hate to say it but true! Before I started on my WLS journey my surgeon stated at the seminar that if you have relationship issues now, the surgery will only make them worse. I believe you when you say you love your husband and no desire to go elsewhere, but I truly believe there are some deeply rooted jealousy issues for your husband that need to be addressed. Maybe you could suggest he attend counseling to address his controlling nature.
I say live your life and do what you need to do to make you happy. If things don't work out with you guys then it was meant to be. You don't want to spend the next 10 years miserable with someone who is only concerened about their feelings.
Just my 2 cents--

Ok, I am going to give it to you straight:
Yes, most of the bariatric Protein drinks are TERRIBLE! But I assure you I have found the one that tastes great! If you have a Sam's Club and/or costco in your town, head over there. They have Premier Protein shakes in chocolate and vanilla. They are truly amazing! They taste great!
12 premixed shakes for $18.88 at Sam's Club
I promise you and many others on this forum will tell you the same - they do not disappoint.
http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Protein-High-Shake-Chocolate/dp/B00796NFHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360964613&sr=8-1&keywords=premier+protein+shake
Good Luck and let me know what you think!

I had surgery with Dr Nease out of Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, WV. I have friends that have had surgery with Dr. Shin in Charleston. I hear he is a good doctor. You will do great!

Ok, I am going to give it to you straight:
Yes, most of the bariatric Protein drinks are TERRIBLE! But I assure you I have found the one that tastes great! If you have a Sam's Club and/or costco in your town, head over there. They have Premier Protein shakes in chocolate and vanilla. They are truly amazing! They taste great!
12 premixed shakes for $18.88 at Sam's Club
I promise you and many others on this forum will tell you the same - they do not disappoint.
http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Protein-High-Shake-Chocolate/dp/B00796NFHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360964613&sr=8-1&keywords=premier+protein+shake
Good Luck and let me know what you think!

Love this thread - i struggled with "what to say" also and then just decided to say "diet and exercise" - this is way too personal for me and i dont feel i need to tell people. Im embarrassed about my weight to begin with and dont want to have to answer the question of "well how big WERE you!!" - this will just make it worse. Only a handful of people know and that's it! For me, the less i say, the better off i am. Isnt it funny how, the more ammunition we give to people, the more they use it"? lol

It definately is a personal decision. I, myself, couldn't care less if my co-workers or acquaintances talked about me behind my back. I'm sure they do anyway about all sorts of things including my weight loss. I am powerless over them and what they do. I am not going to even try to control their behaviors or "make them understand" the reasonings behind anything I do.
I am at peace with myself and that is all that matters to me.

I will have to dig some more up and post them here. Friend me and I can inbox some to you too.
I guess I should get working on that WLS cookbook!

I say at 42 years old you need to do what is right for you and your immediate family (husband and children). If you have the support of your husband, it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks. Also, you can tell your parents that the mortality rate of the gastric sleeve procedure is less than the mortality rate from a knee replacement! If you had serious damage done to your knee would your family expect you to not get that repaired? Of course not! Why avoid having a life saving procedure like the gastric sleeve done which will ensure you get leaner and healthier.
Just my 2 cents--

Ok, I am going to give it to you straight:
Yes, most of the bariatric Protein drinks are TERRIBLE! But I assure you I have found the one that tastes great! If you have a Sam's Club and/or costco in your town, head over there. They have Premier Protein shakes in chocolate and vanilla. They are truly amazing! They taste great!
12 premixed shakes for $18.88 at Sam's Club
I promise you and many others on this forum will tell you the same - they do not disappoint.
http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Protein-High-Shake-Chocolate/dp/B00796NFHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360964613&sr=8-1&keywords=premier+protein+shake
Good Luck and let me know what you think!

Excellent recipe ideas! When I get to the puree stage I will be sure to try them all. Thanks for the post!

Big Lu & CCCross,
SO happy you like the recipes! I am quite the creative one in the kitchen and just couldn't stand the normal bland pureed foods for 2 weeks. If you are ever needing any suggestions, just inbox me. I have LOTS of recipes for that stage and beyond.
Good Luck!

I LOVE to cook and am just wrapping up the pureed stage off my diet. Here are some of my favorite concoctions - enjoy!
Egg salad - couple eggs, 1 tsp of mayo, 1/2 tsp of spicy brown mustard, salt & pepper - puree until smooth
Buffalo chicken - can of chicken, 1 tbsp blue cheese crumbles, 2 tbsp ranch dressing, 1 tsp. of buffalo sauce, salt & pepper - puree until smooth - MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!
Squash casserole - 1 can of squash with vidalia onion, 2 tbsp of cream cheese, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, salt & pepper, 1 tsp margarine/butter, 1 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese - puree until smooth, pour into dish and microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly
Pintos and cheese - 1 can of Pintos with onion - puree until smooth, pour into dish and cover with 2 tbsp. of shredded cheddar cheese - microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly - stir well to combine the cheese - optional: add a bit of enchilada sauce if you are looking for more flavor.
Lemon Ricotta Creme
Take one 15 oz. container of part skim ricotta cheese, add the zest of one lemon, juice of half the lemon, 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 4 packets of splenda - puree until smooth - AWESOME!!!!
You can do variations on this should you choose - substitue orange zest and 1 tbsp. of orange juice with orange extract or keep vanilla extract for a dreamsicle taste. chocolate ricotta creme is easy too by substituting 2 tbsp. cocoa powder instead of zest and juice, same vanilla extract and splenda to sweeten.
Perfect sweet tooth item instead of the same old pudding and/or jell-o and it has a high concentration of Protein due to the ricotta cheese. Enjoy!
Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower (tastes a lot like mashed potatoes, but very low carb!)
1 bag of frozen cauliflower florets
1 tsp butter/margarine
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
1/4 cup of milk
Blend until smooth, pour into a casserole dish and top with another 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and microwave for 90 seconds - enjoy!