Cyndie

figures... just when i finally get back on the forum!! rats! so betsy - how are you????? email me if you want - cynmen@aol.com

good to hear from you!! how are you feeling? i would love to come but we are leaving for vacation friday (if my car - 900.00 later - gets out of the shop... grrrrr!!) we are going to the national cowboy action shooting competition near Albuquerque. I can't wait! Let's do dinner again soon!!!! oh - i finally started losing again!! down 70 lbs now.

when is our next dinner? i have a friend at work who was banded that i hope to bring!

ok... i plan to be there!!! i will set a reminder on my cell phone. life is hectic - as usual!!

I love Panera Bread and the 13th works fine for me. Had a fantastic trip to Nebraska to see the grandbabies, got the daughter temporarily moved home while her hubby is deployed, living with FIVE weenie dogs in my house... oh my... Did I mention Cassidy's air went out in her car and she and I (along with 3 of the weenies) had to drive from Oklahoma to here with no AC??? Yikes!!! Anyhow - Kitty - I love the EAS protein drink, tried the Isopure and while the taste is ok they feel "dry" to me... (I think I am going to use what I have left and mix it with some fruit for a smoothie or something - they are pretty expensive.) I have ordered some of the nectar flavors and while they taste pretty good they smell DISGUSTING but if you put them in a cup with a top you won't smell it and it isn't so bad. Also - you can mix any of the protein powders with water and they aren't so bad and you won't get all the milk sugars. Go to Vitalady.com - Protein Supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, and Safe Snacks! and you can order sample sizes of a bunch of different protein drinks and not have to put out a chunk of money on something you hate. She is very nice to deal with also. Both she and her husband are gastric bypass patients so her proteins and suppliments are geared toward weight loss and not muscle building. She has vitamins and stuff on there also but I have only ordered protein and some of the beef sticks (slim jim type but high protein, low cal and sugar, and pretty yummy). There is a yahoo group that deals strickly with protein issues for wls people that is very helpful. I got a recipe that has you take a snickers protein bar, a scoop of protein powder, some peanut butter, ice - and it seems like a couple of other things and blend it all together to make a protein super cocktail - yummy and good to get in a bunch of protein but kind of high in calories and sugar so a little dab will do ya. Wow - what a rambling post!! That's what happens when you are off your rocker I guess... LOL

everyone still coming tonight? i am getting ready to leave...

So - Jade Palace tomorrow night??? I am going to try to be there!!! We used to eat there all the time YEARS ago before we discovered Chinese buffets (and I discovered 100 extra pounds!!!!) How was Tai Chi? It will be Thursdays at 7? I am dying to try it out. My husband has even said he may try it too.

Hi all. I had my surgery in December also. I have lost 52 pounds (48 to go!) and dropped from a size 20 to a 14. I have found that if I follow the Protein diet that is more similar to that followed by gastric bypass patients I lose much more quickly and can get off of a plateau by doing so also. Basically it involves getting protein into your system at regular intervals during the day. By adding Protein drinks or suppliments and making sure you are getting 60 grams or so daily you will speed up your weight loss and lose most of your cravings. There are several places that you can order protein powders (mix them with Water not milk - milk adds sugar and calories) but the one I have found that is most weight loss surgery friendly is Vitalady.com - Protein supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, and Safe Snacks!. Her Proteins are whey (this is the most beneficial type protein for wls patients), low/no sugar and designed for bypass patients so that they don't have all that extra stuff that we don't need and they aren't the type that are for building muscle mass. She has other Snacks, vitamins, etc. also but I have only ordered protein and the slim jim type beef sticks. She sells sample amounts too so that you can try them. To me, most protein drinks smell yucky so she suggested I drink them from a cup with a lid - works like a charm. I have found a ready mixed drink at WalMart from EAS called AvantEdge. It is sugar free and doesn't taste too bad if it is really cold. I have friends whose surgeon has told them that powdered drinks don't dissolve enough (I haven't had any problem with this but I use a shaker or small blender to make mine) so that is a good option for them. I am even able to drink the Boost high protein and continue to lose but it does have more calories and too much sugar... I subscribed to a yahoo group for wls protein discussion that I get some really good advice from. It is mostly bypass patients but they definately have good recipes, ideas, etc for getting enough protein that is beneficial to us also. Cyndie VBG-12/19/06 Dr. Ilahi 220/120/168

I have 50 to go also and I am ready to lose it!!

We sure are still doin the cowboy thang!! We gotta get the guys together sometime.

My friend and I were going to go to Thai Chi tonight but she has rh. arth. and her back is really bothering her so I guess I will wait and go next week with the rest of you! The lady I talked to at the May Center said the 6:30 class would be better for those of us that are beginners and a true beginners class will start in August.

I had a vertical banded gastroplasty. My stomach is made smaller with cuts and staples and then it is banded at the bottom. Much more invasive surgery (insurance wouldn't cover lap-band...), big scar, longer hospital recovery time, permanent stomach revision - no rerouting like bypass though, and they fixed my hiatal hernia while they had me open so that is good. The band is rigid and can't be adjusted but - even though I would have preferred lap-band - I would do it all over again!

Hi all. I had my surgery in December also and just wanted to touch base. I didn't have the exact same band - mine is permanent and doesn't get filled - but I have pretty much the same experiences other than that. My weight loss has really slowed down recently... I seem to lose and lose then nothing for a while, then the cycle starts over. Anyone else have that? Oh - my hair was falling out too but I think it has about stopped now.

so - do you have to live in huffman to use the may center?? i soooo want to do tai chi!!! sure had a great visit with Barbara and Suzanne last monday at humble city cafe. where and when is the next get together?