Bandedbibi

I will eat most any meat, poultry or fish. I try to get grass-fed beef and the best quality poultry and fish. Sadly, the most difficult part of paleo is finding quality Protein. I also eat fresh and frozen veggies. I try to eat protein the size of typical hamburger patty. I have started using a dessert plate as my dinner plate because I can eat a huge salad! It is a very simplistic way of eating, but my family is pretty happy and I feel great. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Here is link that explains it well. http://balancedbites.com/2013/03/faqs-what-is-paleo.html Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I forgot to post these links...my favorite Paleo recipe sites. Http://www.nomnompaleo.com and http://www.thefoodeeproject.com . Some of the Paleo sites are very technical, and overwhelming. Everyday paleo has a lot of family friendly recipes. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I'm trying to do Paleo. I don't think I'm quite 80/20 but I'm getting there. What I have done has allowed me to stop diabetes medication. I'm thrilled with that. I don't do CrossFit. I've taken up riding my bike and I do yoga once a week. Last week, I rode just over a hundred miles. I'm pretty proud of myself. When it warms up I'm going to try standup paddle boarding. Have you read Practical Paleo it's a really good book? Best wishes, Bibi in Largo, Fl. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I cook with coconut oil, it is heat stable as opposed to olive oil which is good for cold uses. There are tons and I mean tons of articles which support and detract the uses of coconut oil. I have been using it for about 4 months now. I am due for my bloodwork soon and I am curious to see if it has affected my cholesterol levels. It can be found in traditional grocery stores at comparable prices to the health food stores.

Thank you all for the recommendations. I guess I am surprised that most of you are taking OTC Vitamins. Surprised, but relieved that I don't have to spend $32 for vitamins from GNC! I think I will compare a few OTC against the BA and go from there. Thank you again! Bibi

Hello Miranda, I attend a local lapband support group and pretty much everyone agreed that you shouldn't weigh yourself while you are in the "healing" phase post-op. Sooo, I am 3 weeks post-op and I weigh myself everyday (sometimes more). However, I have accepted that any weight loss or gain during my healing phase is due to the extreme post-op diet that I am following. Once you are moving to soft foods you of course are upping your caloric intake. Your weight loss might slow down, but right now your body's metabolism hasn't a clue what is going on. On my pre-op diet (2 weeks of Opti-fast), I lost 15lbs in 3 days (not kidding), however I lost nothing else until after surgery. My body was in pretty drastic starvation mode. I regain a few pounds from the IV fluids. In the 3 weeks post-op I have lost a total of 26 lbs. The last couple of days, my weight fluctuates a pound or two. I was feeling the same way, try not to worry about it so much and focus on eating well during your healing phase. The weight loss at this point is a bonus and you may regain some weight, but you are on the path to losing it for good! Good luck to you. Bibi

Hello there! I am still in the full-liquids stage, but I am getting ready for FOOD! My doctor wants me to eat Protein first and then if I am hungry green veggies. So for breakfast, I have come up with these mini-quiches (no crust) that I can add veggies to. They are baked in a muffin tin so there are 12 pieces and I can vary the ingredients so I don't get burned out and my family will eat them too. You can search online for "muffin tin quiche" for different recipes. For lunch, my plan is to start off w/fish and work up to more firm meats/poultry. I think making different types of lettuce wraps is going to work for me. A fish taco, without the tortilla (maybe use wonton wrappers instead?). Baked fish seasoned and wrapped in kale. Thai lettuce wraps w/ground beef? Mini-meatloaf also made in the muffin tin (it's a perfect size). I've tried to take things that I like to eat and lower the carb content and make it in a size that will work w/my band. I've also gotten a lot of recipe ideas from some Paleo bogs. Good luck! Bibi

Greetings All! I am 3 weeks post-op and I absolutely hate my Vitamins. I am taking the Bariatric Advantage Vitaband chewables and they are just terrible. I have spoken with my doctor about the Calcium supplement and I have a substitute for it, but I am still looking for an alternative to the Vitaband multi-Vitamin. Any suggestions??? Thank you! Bibi, banded on 7/20/12

I gained weight from the IV fluids! I was really annoyed about it, but I am trying to stay reasonable. I expect that my weight will fluctuate over the next month due to changes in my diet. 2 weeks clear liquids, weeks 3-4 full liquids, week 5 soft foods. I have lost 20lbs (15 pre-op) and I am 8 days post-op. But I really want to focus on making it through the clear liquid stage (I am over it!). Hang in there! bibi

Hi All, I am 8 days post-op and what I am discovering is that every dr.'s post-op diet is different. My post-op is 2weeks clear liquids, week3-4 full liquids, week 5 soft foods. On day 5 I was miserable, I had terrible heartburn and it wouldn't go away. So after talking w/my dr.'s nurse, going to a support group meeting and looking on the lap band manufacturer's website, I made a decision. I ate a SF pudding. Viola, no more burning and I felt immediately better. No one told me it was OK and I felt terribly guilty about doing so, but I took the chance. I am still doing the clear liquids, but if I get that burning feeling I put it out w/the pudding. For full liquids, which I can't wait to move on to! I have a variety of pureed soups. My dr. said that there are things that I will be able to eat in the first 4 weeks post-op that I will not be able to eat after week 4. I am excited to try this corn and lemongrass Soup I found. Also, I have some leftover Opti-fast shakes and I will finish those off. I think the fact that the clear liquid phase is so limited is why I am chomping at the bit to move on to full liquids. I might bring soup to a new art form...variety is good! Hope that you find a solution and good luck. bibi

Hi there! I am getting banded, TODAY!!! My family is having lunch and then we are off to the hospital. Not really nervous, but just ready to get it done. I could kill for a drink (of water) right now and unfortunately for me, I am getting hungry...ugh! Wish me luck! Bibi Largo, FL

Thank you All! I appreciate the welcome and support. I look forward to this new part of my life! Bibi