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.

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

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

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

Greetings All! I'm Bibi and I am getting banded on the 20th (this Friday!)! I am very excited and a bit nervous too. I am 43yrs old and I live in Largo, FL. I am on day 9 of my pre-op liquid diet and I have lost 15lbs. I lost the 15lbs in the first 4 days and now I think my body freaked out and is holding on to all fat stores . I am happy about the 15lbs loss, but wondering if it should be more. I have been reading a lot of blogs and lurking on the boards learning from everyone's experiences. I am grateful that there are so many people who are willing to share their successes and failures. I am really anxious about moving forward, but I know that I have to let things follow their course. Best wishes, soon to be banded, but for right now... Bibi

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