Domika03

There are several websites available for healthy crock pot cooking. You can google some. Here are a few of m favorites: skinnytaste, wicked yummy & cooking light.com One of my favorite recipes is Turkey Chilli. YUM!

I can't say that I really "miss" anything because I don't like to deprive myself of anything. Most of us can eat the same foods, but in moderation. You just need to think about whether having a piece of bread offers you enough nutritional value for the full / stuffed feeling it will give you. I used to be a HUGE carboholic, but (thankfully) don't really miss breads or rice. The one thing that I can't have anymore, but is actually healthy, is SHRIMP! I just can't chew it enough to let it digest. So, I guess I do miss something... LOL

I agree with Floridays in that most people aren't malicious. I think they just blurt things out without thinking things through. No, it doesn't make it right, or any easier for you & your wife. I appreciate the reminder about being sensitive to some personal questions that, quite frankly, aren't anyone's business. Wishing you the best! Fran

We have our yearly dealer meeting coming up in a few days. It's going to start off with a Staff Dinner this Saturday at Maggiano's http://www.maggianos.com/en/Pages/Menu.aspx . I'm a little concerned what I'll be able to eat there. I've been playing around looking on the website, but am unsure what to select. I enjoy seafood, but can no longer eat shrimp since I've been banded. I just can't chew it well enough to let it digest. I also don't like the taste of salmon I see several chicken options, but they don't sound "light." I'm not worried about the pasta because I won't have any. Wait, it gets better! We're going to the Cheesecake Factory Monday night. My BIGGEST challenge will be not eating a slice of the vanilla bean cheesecake, my all time, absolute favorite. Heck, I don't have to eat anything else while I"m there, just that.. OMG, I just saw a SINGLE slice is like 869 calories & a HUGE amount of carbs. How do I stay away from that after hearing that ridiculous "nutrition" value? Need help from my fellow bandsters....

My vote goes to vanilla. Hard to believe, but I"m not a chocolate fan. It's full of Protein AND you can use it when making a fruit smoothie too!

Ya know, this weight loss journey is just that .... a journey. Sometimes it's a smooth journey, other times, not so much. You might want to change things up a little. Look on other people's food diaries on MFP to get new food ideas. Try new recipe's. I would even try a different form of exercise as well. Most importantly, your Dr seems to have a shi**y bed-side manner, so don't let him get to you. Let him know you're trying & think the fill will help with the restriction. Take one day at a time, one pound at a time.

I went to my primary Dr today because I'd been feeling light headed lately. I hadn't seen him since before my surgery last August. I walked toward the private waiting room, and his nurse says to me, "Wow, you look great. I almost didn't even recognize you!" I thought to myself, are you talking to me? Yea, you ARE talking to ME!!! YIPEE YAHOOOO!!! She proceeded to weigh me & I'm down "49" pounds!!!! The Dr. walked in, smiled & said "you look great!" All I could do was nod & smile!! This Dr. has known me for about 8+ years, so he knows my crazy yo-yo weight history (up,down, up, down, up, up). And, aren't we all familiar with that concept? He also knows the depression I spiraled into as a result of my being over-weight. I didn't want to go out, or even be seen in public, not even by my own brother & his family! I digress. The point is that it felt good (damn good) to hear compliments about my progress so far. I swear I felt myself getting taller as we spoke about my lap band journey. Heck, I'm actually even starting to like the way I look now that I bought a few new outfits. My closets are much emptier now, but I'm OK with that. I know I'll be in this size for several months because I don't go down in size until I lose 20-25 pds. I still need to lose another 40 pds or so, but it's all good! I'm already feeling more confident about myself & that's whats important.

It was about a week or less. But, everyone is right. If you feel OK, then you're good to go. Just be careful!

I also had it done on a Thursday & was planning on going back to work the following Monday. Turned out I was way too tired to go back, so I took the following week off. Total of 7 days! I highly recommend it!

You deserve to brag AND get all these wonderful comments. You look like a totally different person, still beautiful.... just a thinner & healthier you! Congrats sweetie!

Go to your profile name (top right of your screen), select my settings then email & password on the left side of your screen

Happy New Year, and good for you for making such great resolutions. This is about you & your goals, not anyone else's. I think you're going to be just fine. Good luck!

I think you might have eaten too quickly or taken too big of bites & your stomach might be trying to digest everything, but just can't. Therefore, the hiccups. Try eating much slower than what you're used to, and taking reeeeally small bites of food (size of your pinky nail). Good luck

Hi there, MFP is a great way to track your daily food intake. Their inventory of food is huge,and if people share their food diaries, you can get an idea of some new things to try as well. I've been using faithfully for the last 2 months but started it back in August. Tell me about Fitbit. What do you use that for? Happy new year! Fran

Definitely a GREAT problem to have! Good for you!!!

Wow, 69 pounds. That's awesome!!! I'd love to be there. I thought 45 was good. I was banded on Aug 17th. Can I add you as a friend on MFP so I can see what foods you're eating? I could use some good, new ideas!

Hey everyone, It's been 4+ months since we've all been banded. How's everyone doing? Have you run into any obstacles or made any goals you'd like to share? How much weight have you lost? Well, it's been quite the journey for me:: I've had my share of stuck episodes which were far from pleasant. Learning how to take small, small bites & chew my food until I can chew no more has, and continues to be, quite the challenge. After basically inhaling my food for some 47 years, it's not so easy to slow down. However, if you don't, you're gonna feel it.,,and you're not going to like it. I've learned that I can no longer eat shrimp. I just can't chew them enough to keep them down I've learned that baking instead of frying is an excellent cooking alternative. I've learned to LOVE my crock pot! I now prefer turkey chili over beef chili. I find that pre-planning my food menu for the week helps keep stay focused & keep my family healthy I've learned that tracking my daily food intake on MFP is the best thing I can do for myself I'm impressed with the support & kindness I've found on this website from strangers I try to remember that nothing tastes as good as losing weight feels. I've lost 47 pounds to date & people are FINALLY starting to notice the weight loss I'd love to hear about your journey! Happy New Year! Fran

Oh gosh, I can't imagine cooking 2 different meals. Kudos to anyone that can do that For the most part, I ten to cook 1 meal. The difference... it's healthier than it used to be. I bake, never fry, and use wine if I'm going to cook something on the stove top, instead of oil. There are some great healthy cooking web sites you can go to where you can find healthy & easy recipies. As for having many questions, ask away. You've got to the right website for help. Good luck at your appointment

Mine is a few inches to the left from my incision. If I push down a little I can usually find it. I also named my port. Her name is LULU... LOL

I've had 3 c-sections, and lap-band is nothing in comparison. I didn't even take any pain meds. To me, it felt like I had a stomach ache for several days, a little achy, but nothing that a heating pad couldn't handle.

Funny you should ask... just today I tracked 1/2 cup yogurt (not a big deal) AND 1/2 a clementine! Yes, 1/2 a clementine, which I might add, had no protein but is yummy!

I was banded almost 4 1/2 months ago & have lost 45 pds so far. I haven't lost any weight in the last 2 1/2 weeks, but I didn't really exercise as much or eat as healthy as I had been. I'm not thrilled about it, but I'm not stressing about it either because I"m much more aware of what I eat these days. I still struggle with getting enough protein in, but I'm working on it... So, with that said, I've done quite a bit of closet cleaning the last few weeks. I'm happy to say that I've donated A LOT of clothes to Good Will. Time to put all the over-sized clothes to rest. I went to Dress Barn, and found myself, comfortably, in size 18 pants, and 1X shirts. Well I'll be damned if they didn't look pretty good on me. Hum... go figure. Since it takes me around 20 - 25 pds before I go down a size in clothes, I figure these clothes will last me a while. My goals are now limited to 10 pounds at a time. I think this is much more manageable & it'll make me feel better about myself. I still have another 50 pds to go to make my goal, but it's OK. I'm enjoying the journey!

Wow, your timing is impeccable. I've been at the same weight for 2 1/2 weeks. This is unfamiliar territory for me, and has become a bit of a frustration. After reading your post, I'm certainly hitting most things on your checklist: poor sleep, major stress, poor bowel movements, and not enough protein. I'm certainly not ready to throw in the towel, but I appreciate reading what you wrote to keep me in line & focused. Thanks for sharing!!!

This is great, but you should also keep track of your food diary on myfitnessplan.com. If you're not already using it, you'll love it. It tracks your caloric, protein, fiber & carb intake. Good luck!

I didn't really have any pain. I only took a pain pill the following morning because I had one heckuva a headache. Everything else was just achy, like a mild stomach ache. Thankfully, I didn't have any weight gain. Maybe you read about that because people were constipated, something happens often when you're banded. Well, often for me anyway. Remember to walk, walk, walk, use the heating pad, have gas ex on hand & sip your drinks. You'be fine!