fabfatgrl

Try adding some fruit or healthier carbs and see how you feel...and how your weight loss is. I also read an article that said that drinking low-fat chocolate milk after a weight training workout led to more muscle gains than by drinking sport drinks. Very few physicians have any training in nutrition. They do what the other guy does. I venture to say that those who propose a low-carb diet have no idea if it works better than higher or moderate carb diets for weight loss in bariatric patients--why? There are no studies showing which diet is best for bariatric patients. Read this article, it's very enlightening FINDINGS; Diet and Fat: A Severe Case Of Mistaken Consensus - New York Times

French Fries were almost always a PB food for me. If I can limit myself to one or two... and sort of let them dissolve in my mouth... I'm fine. If I go beyond that, I'm screwed. Usually when I was craving something fast food and french fry like, I'd go to Wendy's and get a 99 cents baked potato... and take it home and put FF sour cream and FF faux-butter on it. I could eat about 1/2...and it was delish.

Glad to hear you're doing so well Loreen. I know that when I was unfilled I was amazed at how things went back to normal almost instantly. I remember asking my surgeon if I had to go on liquids or anything, and he said... "Nope... just go out and eat normally." It was bizarre. I did manage to keep off 1/2 of my weight through three pregnancies, but have now gained another 10 pounds. So, I had my Band refilled last week. I am a little too tight and miserable. I may see if it loosens up or just have it removed again. I plan to revise to a VSG once my daughter isn't depending as much on breastmilk for nutrition. Seems like the quality of life would be better for me.

I missed last night... but read the recap on NBC.com. Why wasn't Neil voted off if he purposely gained 17 pounds!?! I don't get that.

So, back when I was banded 6 years ago, the answer given as to why we're tighter in the AM was "that's just the way it is." LOL I'm wondering if in the pat six years, anybody has had a doctor come up with a better response?? I've had the smallest fill of my life (1 cc in a 4 cc capacity 9.75 cm Band)... and I am so amazingly tight in the AM. I can't get in any solids until after 4 p.m. usually. (Yes, I'll be getting some Fluid removed in a day or so). But I began to think... why??? What could be the reason?? Does our body somehow produce fluid while we sleep that crosses the Band's membrane and it takes some time to migrate out again?? What could it be?? And why does a warm drink sometimes loosen things up?? Just wondering if anybody had a better answer than "Just because."

I love the Blueberry Heart Healthy Oatmeal... usually right next to the Weight Control. Tastes like a blueberry muffin I haven't found a weight control oatmeal that I like as much.

When I had good restriction, I would order a kid's meal at Chick-fil-A... I couldn't finish the nuggets and would have only 2 or 3 of the waffle fries. I usually did drink the diet lemonade before I ate my solids, though Are you losing weight?? If you're still losing...then I'd hold off. Do you think you're eating too much? Does it feel like maybe you should be eating less...but somehow you're "getting lucky" and aren't PBing?? I actually wish I could eat more. I always eat more healthfully when I have less restriction than more. I do better with more normal sized meals throughout the day rather than a tablespoon or two during the day and openign up at night... but hey, that's just me.

Yup...exactly. When WW first came out with the point system, you had a range... so say 25-30 points per day. Any left over you would "bank"... and could use through out the week. Then a few years ago, they simplified it to one set point amount for the day and 35 points/week flex (extra) points.

No.. you should still lose weight. The only thing to watch out for is pouch packing... I'd avoid that. If you can eat all of your points, great. If not, don't push yourself. I've done WW on and off with my Band and have loved it. The Band has made sticking to the points do-able. It still provides accountability and weight loss. I usually go by what WW recommends for points, but don't push it. I usually do not need my Flex points, though.

I'm so sorry your Mom is going through this. Some people who have a lot of issues regarding food eventually gravitate towards food their band will tolerate... chips, Cookies, caloric liquids, etc. They do this out of necessity... and sometimes because quite frankly, they're starving. It sounds like your Mom's body never tolerated the Band... and has been fighting it ever since. She should talk to her surgeon ASAP. If there is any Fluid in her Band, it should be removed. If no fluid, she should consider a removal and possible revision to another surgery or different sized Band.

I'm not so concerned about soy from the phytoestrogen standpoint. The fears regarding soy products and boys are linked to one small study in the UK regarding pregnant Moms whose sons developed hypospadias. The study itself never showed a link between soy-intake and hypospadias... but the authors of the study hypothesized that consumption of soy, and thus phytoestrogens, could be the cause. A subsequent study in Japan showed no relation between the consumption of soy and hypospadias. Regardless, I'm breastfeeding a girl... but still.... my bigger issue is that babies who have problem with milk Protein often have it with soy protein as well. I guess I'll just need to bite the bullet and order some samples and see how she reacts.

I've been banded for six years, yes... but I was recently unfilled after pregnancy. I am not getting in enough protein through food, even with a very small fill. So, I need to supplement. In the past, I got a lot of my protein from dairy sources... milk, cottage cheese, low-fat cheese sticks, etc. That's all out now for me for the next few months. I probably need to supplement at least 20-30 grams/day.

OK, I think I'm going to have to supplement, but the problem is I can't tolerate any dairy products right now due to breastfeeding. (Protein in milk, not a lactose issue.) So.. I need some recommendations for GOOD tasting Protein drinks that do not have dairy... Any ideas? I've heard nectar is good. Also, those little protein test tubes. Anything else?

So true. Mine also lets me know that I'm still fertile. Even when I had no fill, I could PB during that time of the month. :mad:

Is your Mom on metformin (Glucophage?)? Did they recently switch her to metformin?? It can cause diarrhea.

A Tragic Risk of Weight-Loss Surgery - Well - Tara Parker-Pope - Health - New York Times Blog October 17, 2007, 11:01 am A Tragic Risk of Weight-Loss Surgery A review of thousands of patient records has turned up a previously unknown risk associated with a popular weight loss operation — suicide. In bariatric surgery, the stomach is made smaller so as to speed weight loss. The risk of dying from bariatric surgery is about 1 ipercent, most studies show, and complications strike up to 40 percent of patients. In addition to being overweight, these patients often have health problems like diabetes and heart disease, so it’s no surprise they also have higher death rates from natural causes. But a review of nearly 17,000 weight-loss surgeries performed in Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2004 has yielded a surprising finding. Of the 440 deaths in the group, 16 were due to suicide or drug overdose, according to the University of Pittsburgh researchers who reviewed the data. Based on the suicide rate in the general population, no more than three suicides should have occurred in the group, the study authors say. More troubling is the fact that another 14 of the drug overdoses that were reported likely include some suicides, suggesting that the real suicide rate was even higher. “There is a substantial excess of suicide deaths, even excluding those listed only as drug overdose,'’ the researchers noted. In August, The New England Journal of Medicine reported a review of nearly 10,000 bariatric surgery patients by Utah researchers, who compared them to a control group of obese people who had applied for a state driver’s license. Although the surgery patients had a 50 percent lower risk of dying from disease compared to obese people who hadn’t undergone surgery, their risk of dying in an accident or suicide was 11.1 per 10,000 people — that’s 58 percent higher than the 6.4 per 10,000 rate in the obese group. The study suggested the suicide risk was twice as high for surgery patients than for those who had not had surgery, but the finding wasn’t statistically meaningful. Nobody knows why bariatric surgery patients appear to be at higher risk for killing themselves. Some research shows a link between obesity and depression, so the typical surgery patient may already be at higher risk for depression and suicide before the operation. It’s possible that depressive symptoms may worsen in patients who have unrealistic expectations about the results of surgery or who struggle not to regain weight after the procedure. The study authors say the 7 percent death rate from suicide and drug overdose in the Pennsylvania case review signals the need for better mental health follow-up for patients who have undergone weight-loss surgery. While most weight-loss surgery programs require some psychological evaluation before the procedure, many programs and doctors are lax about follow-up after the surgery, and patients themselves often opt to skip follow-up counseling.

He's referring to a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy... also known as a Vertical Gastrectomy. Basically, it's the first part of a DS... with no intestinal rerouting. 80% or so of the stomach is removed... and one is left with a long tube like stomach. It's a restrictive-only operation that has shown good results. Some people who are considering a Band may go for this operation, especially if getting regular fills would be a problem for them. It's also a popular revision for Bandsters who lose their Band for whatever reason, but don't want to go for a new Band, RNY, or DS.

The DVD has different 10 minute workouts... * arm and shoulder sculpt * butt & thigh blaster * sleek & sexy abs * total body tone zone * 10 minute stretch It comes with a Band as well.

LOL...that was me. I love meringues... and this sort of tastes like a meringue. It's basically high in protein and fiber. I love berries... so sometimes I'll buy a big bag of frozen strawberries or raspberries from costco... and I just nuke them a little to dethaw.

One final one... this has really good reviews on AllRecipes Best Breakfast Cookie - Allrecipes NGREDIENTS * 2 cups brown sugar * 2 1/2 cups rolled oats * 4 cups all-purpose flour * 1 tablespoon baking soda * 1 teaspoon baking powder * 1 teaspoon salt * 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon * 1/4 cup canola oil * 1/2 cup prune puree * 2 tablespoons Water * 5 egg whites * 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract * 3/4 cup raisins * 1/4 cup chopped walnuts * 1/3 cup chopped dried apricots number of stars READ REVIEWS (45) * Review/Rate This Recipe * Save To Recipe Box * Add to Shopping List * Add a Personal Note * Post a Recipe Photo * Post a Favorite food List * Create a Menu DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Make a well in the center and pour in the canola oil, prune puree, water, egg whites and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Stir in the raisins, walnuts and apricots. Scoop Cookies using an ice cream scoop, or roll into golf ball sized balls. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets and flatten to 1/2 tall with wet hands. These cookies do not flatten very much while baking. 3. In the preheated oven, bake 8 minutes for chewy cookies 10 to 12 minutes for dry cookies. Cookies will not get crisp. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Here's another one: 1/2 cup Canola Oil 1/2 cup Unsweetened Applesauce 1/2 cup Brown Sugar 1/4 cup Egg Substitute 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract 1 tablespoon Orange juice 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice 1/2 cup Oat Bran 1/2 cup 7-grain Cereal 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour 1/2 cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour 1 teaspoon Baking Soda 1/2 teaspoon Salt 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon 1 teaspoon Ground Allspice 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cloves 3 cups Old Fashioned Oats 1 cup Golden Raisins 1/4 cup Unsweetened Coconut -- optional 1/4 cup Chopped Walnuts -- optional Directions: Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl, beat together with electric mixer, oil, applesauce, and brown sugar. Add egg substitute, vanilla, and juices, then beat again. Sift together oat bran, 7 grain cereal, flours, baking soda, salt, and spices. Mix these ingredients with the wet mixture. Stir in oats. Fold in raisins (and any other optional ingredients). Place dough on ungreased cookie sheets by the tablespoonful. Bake 15 minutes or until golden. Remove Cookies from the sheet immediately and let cool. NOTES : This recipe courtesy of: The Manor at Taylor's Store B&B Country Inn

SNEAKY CHEF’S BREAKFAST Cookies Nutrition Highlights: whole grains, Calcium, and Protein. Rich in Vitamins B and E, Iron, potassium, folic acid, calcium, tryptophan protein, and Fiber. 2 cups whole grain Cereal flakes (such as Wheaties or Total) 3/4 cup Flour Blend (1/4 cup white flour, 1/4 cup whole wheat flour, and 1/4 cup wheat germ) 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 large egg 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup canola oil 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 3/4 cup low-fat ricotta cheese Cinnamon sugar for dusting* 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or spray with oil). 2. Using a rolling pin, gently crush the cereal (in a sealed plastic bag) into coarsely crushed flakes. Alternatively, you can quickly pulse the cereal in a food processor. 3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Flour Blend, crushed cereal, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk together egg, sugar, oil, vanilla, and ricotta cheese. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix just enough to moisten dry ingredients. Drop single tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheets, leaving about an inch between cookies. Flatten cookies with the back of a fork and then sprinkle tops generously with cinnamon sugar (or just sugar if your kids don’t like the cinnamon flavor). Bake about 18 to 20 minutes, or until nicely browned and crispy around the edges. Makes 16 to 18 large cookies. *Cinnamon has been found to help stabilize blood-glucose levels, thereby preventing the usual “crash and burn” feeling we all get after eating sweets. © Missy Chase Lapine, all rights reserved.

OMG! This reminds me of my very first fill... over six years ago. I was with a seasoned Bandster and we went out after for lunch. We went to Olive Garden and they blended the pasta e fabioli soup for me... and I thought it was incredible. Up until that point, I had been on liquids and mushies so this was a treat.

Hi Candy! I'm getting my first fill after my third Lap-Band pregnancy tomorrow. I've had trouble keeping a fill since my first pregnancy, because I PB all the time. I have no idea if it's psychological or something different mechanically because of the pregnancies. I've met a few other post-pregnancy Bandsters with the same issues IMHO, it sounds like you're too tight if you're waking up with acid reflux. Your surgeon may be able to remove just a tiny bit... and that might make all of the difference. "Yesterday I had this to eat: and it all went down Breakfast: Protein shake & 3 TBS of oatmeal Lunch: 1 veggie & cheese stuffed mushroom (the size circle of top of a soup can) Dinner: 2 TBS Lean Steak & 2 TBS Salad" When I was super restricted, I could eat a little bit more than this. I could never do much in the mornings except warm liquids... so always had a hot chocolate like protein shake... then around 11ish, I'd move on to some cottage cheese. lunch might be almost all of a small container of Wendy's chilli. Then dinner might be 1/2 - 3/4s of a Lean Cuisine. But that was me... who knows how things will be this time around. Are you breastfeeding?

"The Biggest Loser" is my guilty pleasure. I especially find the season finales inspirational...because it shows just how much exercise can play a role in shaping how one's body looks. They wouldn't look half as good had they only lost weight from dieting alone. I use TBL as my motivation to exercise. Of course, the contestants have trouble maintaining their weight loss and exercise regime long-term... but hey, we have our Bands. Now, we just need to keep up with the exercise. Actually, that's one thing my Band gave me... I discovered I really loved working out. I hated gym class as a fat kid... but I love lifting weights, yoga, and doing very easy choreography aerobic tapes. :Banane20: