Lidreaux

I saw a recipe on Rachel Ray this week that looks yummy!!!
INGREDIENTS 4 6- to 8-ounce pieces chicken breast, butterflied then pounded very thin (an 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick) Olive oil, for drizzling plus 1 tablespoon Salt and pepper 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon granulated onion 1 teaspoon fennel seed 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 1/2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes, halved A fat handful of basil leaves 1 pound ball fresh mozzarella, very thinly sliced or shredded using a fat-toothed box grater PREPARATION Drizzle chicken with oil in a shallow dish and season with salt, pepper, granulated garlic and onion, fennel seed, red pepper and thyme. Marinate a few minutes
Preheat a large griddle pan or grill pan over medium high heat. Preheat broiler as well.
Heat a skillet with a lid over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil, a turn of the pan. Add sliced garlic and stir a minute; add tomatoes and season with salt. Cover pan to trap heat and cook to soften tomatoes for 8-10 minutes, shaking pan occasionally. Add basil to sauce and stir to wilt.
Grill or griddle-cook the chicken a few minutes on each side then transfer to baking sheets. Top chicken with sauce and then mozzarella cheese, as if it were a small pizza. Broil to brown and melt cheese.< /p>
PRESENTATION

Ya know...Maybe you should confront that person (not in a threatening way, just casual conversation) and ask what exactly he/she knows about the type of surgery you had, and when they start mumbling and stammering, just say "Yeah, that's what I thought... so don't judge me or what I've done until you have educated yourself about it or walked in my shoes." Most people cannot even have an intelligent conversation about it because they don't know anything about it. They don't know that there are several different surgeries done to help aid weight loss and most importantly if someone has a high risk of morbidity and / or they can't exercise, this is the only option. If people want to say we took the easy way out, then they are uneducated as to what we have to go through or what our lives were before surgery. I'm sorry but I would have to say something to that ____wad. Can't stand people that act like they know everything but they are really stupid. I say..."Educate them!!!" LOL

I had my VSG surgery almost 2 years ago and I have not gotten rid of those last pesky 30 pounds, yet. I think I was so happy that I finally got to a normal weight again and I don't have to buy my clothes in the heffer department any more (LOL) that I haven't tried very hard to actually diet. I know what I need to do...I just haven't done it. I need motivation and tips. How much Protein, calories, carbs, etc... would you all suggest for those last few stubborn pounds? And any good protein recipes, too!!! I can eat anything, just need some good protein meals to cook that aren't high in carbs. Any and all suggestions welcome!!! Thanks, Y'all.

I have maintained my weight for the last 2 years and I haven't even tried to diet. It's been very easy to maintain. I only drink plain Water, flavored water, lemon Water, coffee, unsweetened tea and I try to eat my Proteins first. I don't exercise because I have a lot of bone & joint problems (from an auto accident) and I recently had a vertebral fusion, so I am "Sedentary." I think my body has become adjusted to my new weight and doesn't want to let go of any more.
Maybe I'm not eating enough Protein throughout the day. I drink coffee in the A.M. and it whets my appetite so I don't eat till later in the day. I know...bad thing to do. I'm thinking I need to cut out the coffee and start eating Protein or a shake for Breakfast again. Thanks for all the positive vibes to help motivate me. It also helps to admit what my problem may be instead of keeping it to myself. And it's nice to have others to chat with that are going through the same things.
I started my fitness pal and lost 5 pounds in a week but then I got sick and I've been ill for about 6 weeks. Dieting is not fun when you are sick. I am starting to feel better so once the weather stops being so dreary, I will make a haul to the store and stock up on chicken, eggs, fish, & lean cuisine and get back to the basics, using my fitness pal. I will look you up Rovobay. Thanks for the input everyone!!!

I have maintained my weight for the last 2 years and I haven't even tried to diet. It's been very easy to maintain. I only drink plain Water, flavored water, lemon Water, coffee, unsweetened tea and I try to eat my Proteins first. I don't exercise because I have a lot of bone & joint problems (from an auto accident) and I recently had a vertebral fusion, so I am "Sedentary." I think my body has become adjusted to my new weight and doesn't want to let go of any more.
Maybe I'm not eating enough Protein throughout the day. I drink coffee in the A.M. and it whets my appetite so I don't eat till later in the day. I know...bad thing to do. I'm thinking I need to cut out the coffee and start eating Protein or a shake for Breakfast again. Thanks for all the positive vibes to help motivate me. It also helps to admit what my problem may be instead of keeping it to myself. And it's nice to have others to chat with that are going through the same things.
I started my fitness pal and lost 5 pounds in a week but then I got sick and I've been ill for about 6 weeks. Dieting is not fun when you are sick. I am starting to feel better so once the weather stops being so dreary, I will make a haul to the store and stock up on chicken, eggs, fish, & lean cuisine and get back to the basics, using my fitness pal. I will look you up Rovobay. Thanks for the input everyone!!!

Have you maintained all but the 30 pounds the last couple of years? You should be very proud of yourself if so! I'm only 6 months out and looking to lose the last 30, but at the rate I'm going it may take 2 more years Good luck to you!

@@Lidreaux you are in the right place for guidance and motivation. back to basics, recording your foods, lean Protein first, what is your exercise routine like? you can do this!!! you log in myfitnesspal? add me (same username) and add others, you can see what they eat, it may give you some great meal ideas. I know it has helped me!!!

Right there with you -- I think I got a little complacent this winter. I'm counting on a spring reboot when I can really get exercising again properly. Can't advise on diet as we had different procedures -- for me it's a head game. I know what my bad habits are (evening grazing) and I need to want the last weight off badly enough to do what it takes. We can do it! And we know how good it will feel not to be carrying around at last sack of potatoes. Energy!

I'm still in trying to get to goal so I'm no expert, but at 8months I still basically eat Protein first and then a small amount of veggies as I have space left. I don't make any complicated meals. I eat chicken, eggs and salmon. I also drink fat free milk and sometimes small amounts of raw almonds. Every few days I eat a couple of strawberries and blueberries. ....yum! Best.

Ya know...Maybe you should confront that person (not in a threatening way, just casual conversation) and ask what exactly he/she knows about the type of surgery you had, and when they start mumbling and stammering, just say "Yeah, that's what I thought... so don't judge me or what I've done until you have educated yourself about it or walked in my shoes." Most people cannot even have an intelligent conversation about it because they don't know anything about it. They don't know that there are several different surgeries done to help aid weight loss and most importantly if someone has a high risk of morbidity and / or they can't exercise, this is the only option. If people want to say we took the easy way out, then they are uneducated as to what we have to go through or what our lives were before surgery. I'm sorry but I would have to say something to that ____wad. Can't stand people that act like they know everything but they are really stupid. I say..."Educate them!!!" LOL

I saw a recipe on Rachel Ray this week that looks yummy!!!
INGREDIENTS 4 6- to 8-ounce pieces chicken breast, butterflied then pounded very thin (an 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick) Olive oil, for drizzling plus 1 tablespoon Salt and pepper 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon granulated onion 1 teaspoon fennel seed 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 1/2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes, halved A fat handful of basil leaves 1 pound ball fresh mozzarella, very thinly sliced or shredded using a fat-toothed box grater PREPARATION Drizzle chicken with oil in a shallow dish and season with salt, pepper, granulated garlic and onion, fennel seed, red pepper and thyme. Marinate a few minutes
Preheat a large griddle pan or grill pan over medium high heat. Preheat broiler as well.
Heat a skillet with a lid over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil, a turn of the pan. Add sliced garlic and stir a minute; add tomatoes and season with salt. Cover pan to trap heat and cook to soften tomatoes for 8-10 minutes, shaking pan occasionally. Add basil to sauce and stir to wilt.
Grill or griddle-cook the chicken a few minutes on each side then transfer to baking sheets. Top chicken with sauce and then mozzarella cheese, as if it were a small pizza. Broil to brown and melt cheese.< /p>
PRESENTATION

I had my VSG surgery almost 2 years ago and I have not gotten rid of those last pesky 30 pounds, yet. I think I was so happy that I finally got to a normal weight again and I don't have to buy my clothes in the heffer department any more (LOL) that I haven't tried very hard to actually diet. I know what I need to do...I just haven't done it. I need motivation and tips. How much Protein, calories, carbs, etc... would you all suggest for those last few stubborn pounds? And any good protein recipes, too!!! I can eat anything, just need some good protein meals to cook that aren't high in carbs. Any and all suggestions welcome!!! Thanks, Y'all.

I saw a recipe on Rachel Ray this week that looks yummy!!!
INGREDIENTS 4 6- to 8-ounce pieces chicken breast, butterflied then pounded very thin (an 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick) Olive oil, for drizzling plus 1 tablespoon Salt and pepper 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon granulated onion 1 teaspoon fennel seed 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 1/2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes, halved A fat handful of basil leaves 1 pound ball fresh mozzarella, very thinly sliced or shredded using a fat-toothed box grater PREPARATION Drizzle chicken with oil in a shallow dish and season with salt, pepper, granulated garlic and onion, fennel seed, red pepper and thyme. Marinate a few minutes
Preheat a large griddle pan or grill pan over medium high heat. Preheat broiler as well.
Heat a skillet with a lid over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil, a turn of the pan. Add sliced garlic and stir a minute; add tomatoes and season with salt. Cover pan to trap heat and cook to soften tomatoes for 8-10 minutes, shaking pan occasionally. Add basil to sauce and stir to wilt.
Grill or griddle-cook the chicken a few minutes on each side then transfer to baking sheets. Top chicken with sauce and then mozzarella cheese, as if it were a small pizza. Broil to brown and melt cheese.< /p>
PRESENTATION

I saw a recipe on Rachel Ray this week that looks yummy!!!
INGREDIENTS 4 6- to 8-ounce pieces chicken breast, butterflied then pounded very thin (an 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick) Olive oil, for drizzling plus 1 tablespoon Salt and pepper 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon granulated onion 1 teaspoon fennel seed 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 1/2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes, halved A fat handful of basil leaves 1 pound ball fresh mozzarella, very thinly sliced or shredded using a fat-toothed box grater PREPARATION Drizzle chicken with oil in a shallow dish and season with salt, pepper, granulated garlic and onion, fennel seed, red pepper and thyme. Marinate a few minutes
Preheat a large griddle pan or grill pan over medium high heat. Preheat broiler as well.
Heat a skillet with a lid over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil, a turn of the pan. Add sliced garlic and stir a minute; add tomatoes and season with salt. Cover pan to trap heat and cook to soften tomatoes for 8-10 minutes, shaking pan occasionally. Add basil to sauce and stir to wilt.
Grill or griddle-cook the chicken a few minutes on each side then transfer to baking sheets. Top chicken with sauce and then mozzarella cheese, as if it were a small pizza. Broil to brown and melt cheese.< /p>
PRESENTATION

Ya know...Maybe you should confront that person (not in a threatening way, just casual conversation) and ask what exactly he/she knows about the type of surgery you had, and when they start mumbling and stammering, just say "Yeah, that's what I thought... so don't judge me or what I've done until you have educated yourself about it or walked in my shoes." Most people cannot even have an intelligent conversation about it because they don't know anything about it. They don't know that there are several different surgeries done to help aid weight loss and most importantly if someone has a high risk of morbidity and / or they can't exercise, this is the only option. If people want to say we took the easy way out, then they are uneducated as to what we have to go through or what our lives were before surgery. I'm sorry but I would have to say something to that ____wad. Can't stand people that act like they know everything but they are really stupid. I say..."Educate them!!!" LOL

I finally got into an infectious disease specialist. I wasn't in her office 5 minutes and she told me I had to be admitted to the hospital immediately. She found me another surgeon who opened me back up and cleaned out the infection. She has me on a picc line for 6 weeks and oral antibitoics after that. I have to give myself infusions 3 x a day and it freaks me out.
The infection got into my bones. I 'd like to strangle my first surgeon!
At least I am on the road to recovery now.

I don't know how he found out, I really hadn't told many people at work, but I guess people talk. Anyway, it came up in conversation, and he started questioning my motivation, saying that didn't I worry that I was taking that easy way out. That if I just worked hard and stayed disciplined, I could do it all on my own. He made it sound so simple. I could tell he thought he was being positive, but he was being condescending, something he has a reputation for doing.
First of all, it's not so simple. I am well over 200+ lbs over. I have gone past the point of no return. And while I make no excuses for how I got this way, I know it's all on me, and I haven't made the best choices in my past. But I'm at the point where medical intervention is required, and my doctor wholeheartedly agrees (I love her by the way!). And I'm going to do this like I do everything in my life. To the best of my abilities. Despite his opinion, I know this will most certainly not be easy. In fact, I want to it to be hard. It will make it that much more worth it once I reach my goal.
And second. This is life and death, I'm in my mid 30s now, and the clock is ticking. If I keep going on this path, I will not have much time left on this planet. I am not concerned with preserving my honor in his eyes. I have family and friends who are all united in their support of me on this. And he's just some guy we hired last year to do . . .I really don't know what he does.
So for those that say, we're cheating, or taking the easy way out. Kindly direct them to engage in intercourse with themselves. Rant over.

Don't ever feel like a failure. You are not the only one that has had issues with the band. I've had 2 cousins that didn't lose. They figured out how to cheat with the band & one of them ended up with a herniated stomach. Be thankful you are removing it & look forward to a positive future.
I never thought it would be possible for me to lose the weight that I have lost but it keeps falling off & I am so sure that I will reach my goal in less than a year. I am sooooo stoked! I was afraid at first, but I am elated that I got sleeved & I don't regret it at all. My doctor told me that he has never had anyone ask for their stomach back. LOL
The only thing that I've had to come to terms with is my relationship with food because for so many years, I've eaten what I wanted, when I wanted. food is such a big part of our lives. We have to have food to survive & a lot of us have used it as a crutch for a long time and probably didn't even realize it. We just have to adjust our mindset. It's sometimes almost a grieving process because for me, I miss not being able to eat to the point of comfort. It's a different kind of full feeling with the sleeve. I just try to stay positive & keep telling myself that I wouldn't have been able to get healthy and slim without this and it forces me to eat smaller portions. I just have to eat slow and chew, chew, chew. I also stay away from the liquid carbs and calories & the things that are easy for me to eat that can be high in carbs or calories. Focus on Protein & Water.
I investigated all the weight loss surgeries before deciding that the VSG was the right choice & all my doctor's agreed that it was the safest. The band is the least invasive but can cause problems down the road. Many people have had issues with not losing all their weight or gaining it back. If you get the sleeve, it will give you the tool to lose the weight and keep it off. Do your research. Don't depend on a doctor or nurse to tell you what you need to know. The sleeve will work...You just need to stay away from liquid calories, bad carbs, & sugar. If you are a sweet fanatic, try the tropical sugar-free popsicles from Wal Mart (yellow box) They only have 4 carbs and they saved me. "Focus on your Protein, Water, & Vitamins." opurity Vitamins are the best I've found. They are made especially for sleeve patients. I added Krill oil, B-12, & Calcium Citrate to my regimen. When I switched to an over the counter Vitamin, my hair started falling out. Within 3 days of getting back on Opurity, my hair stopped falling out.
I will try to add a link that has amazing info about VSG. If you can't open it, let me know & I will email it to you. I have it downloaded on my computer. It has tons of good info.
Good Luck to you!!!


www.muhealth.org/documents/bariatric/bariatric%20booklet%20vsg.pdf

Congrats!!! I know what a good feeling it is to reach ONEDERLAND!!! I made it to198 this morning. I haven't been that weight since 1996. LOL

So happy to step on the scale this morning and POOF! 199.2lbs! I took a picture and texted it to my hubby I was so excited! Glad to join all of you that are there and encourage those that aren't yet, that you totally can be!
I'm down 81.4lbs total. Now, time to get to work on those other 49.2

I am a little over 4 months post op and I thought I wasn't getting enough calories either, so I stopped counting calories and just focused on Protein because by the time I ate my 60 gm of protein, I couldn't eat anything else any way. The following is just what I have been doing and I've lost 56 lbs since June 18. My personal choice is to focus on protein, carbs, fluids, and my Vitamins. I take a chewable Multivitamin by opurity made especially for sleeve patients. It tastes like a sweet tart and I suck on it, I don't chew it. I also take Krill oil, chewable calcium citrate and a sublingual B-12. The B-12 absorbs better if it's sublingual. You can get the liquid or a dissolvable B-12 pill. I prefer the dissolvable pill. The Krill is 1 small gel pill vs. 3 of the Omega that I was taking. I am sticking with the Opurity vitamins as long as I can because when I switched to an over the counter brand, my hair started falling out. I switched back to Opurity and within 3 days, my hair stopped falling out. I focused on protein (at least 60g daily) and carbs (I tried to stay under 20 a day) but it's hard to keep carbs under 20. If you watch your protein and carbs, the calories shouldn't be a problem. I found a wonderful sugar free popsickle at Wal Mart. Its in a yellow box and they are tropical favors. Very tasty, sugar free, with only 4 carbs. They absolutely saved me. It's a nice treat when u want something sweet, but you CAN over do them because they have carbs. I also use products from Walden Farms....especially the salad dressings. No carbs, no sugar, no calories. If they are too thin, you can add fat free non flavored yogurt to thicken them up. If you go lonline and google Phase 1 ideal protein diet, it will show you a good diet plan to follow with low carb veggies and when it says to add the ideal protein that they sell, just add your personal protein. Focus on drinking Water & at 6 weeks you can start exercising. I have not because I have bone & joint problems but I have continued to lose weight. I lost weight quickly the first month, then I started with the plateaus. I wouldn't lose for 2-3 weeks, then all of a sudden, I would get on the scale and drop 5 lbs over night. After the first month, the weight loss slowed to 8-10 lbs a month for me. I recommend checking out Dr Guillermo Alvarez on you tube. He has awesome advice & he answers a lot of questions. I searched the internet daily for all my questions & did a lot of research on my own, because my doctor was not very detailed in what he told me before surgery. Just an FYI...I met a lady the other night that had VSG in 2006. She had gained a lot of weight back & when I asked her what she was doing, she told me she ate sweets, especially a lot of cake. So, stay away from that and anything that has liquid calories...forever!!! I am eating Protein Bars now, instead of shakes, and they have high carbs, but they are good carbs and you should eat them before noon and then try to stay away from carbs the rest of the day. When you hit a stall, increase your protein and water intake and you will lose again. If it's not lbs, it will be inches. Good Luck!!!

I am a little over 4 months post op and I thought I wasn't getting enough calories either, so I stopped counting calories and just focused on Protein because by the time I ate my 60 gm of protein, I couldn't eat anything else any way. The following is just what I have been doing and I've lost 56 lbs since June 18. My personal choice is to focus on protein, carbs, fluids, and my Vitamins. I take a chewable Multivitamin by opurity made especially for sleeve patients. It tastes like a sweet tart and I suck on it, I don't chew it. I also take Krill oil, chewable calcium citrate and a sublingual B-12. The B-12 absorbs better if it's sublingual. You can get the liquid or a dissolvable B-12 pill. I prefer the dissolvable pill. The Krill is 1 small gel pill vs. 3 of the Omega that I was taking. I am sticking with the Opurity vitamins as long as I can because when I switched to an over the counter brand, my hair started falling out. I switched back to Opurity and within 3 days, my hair stopped falling out. I focused on protein (at least 60g daily) and carbs (I tried to stay under 20 a day) but it's hard to keep carbs under 20. If you watch your protein and carbs, the calories shouldn't be a problem. I found a wonderful sugar free popsickle at Wal Mart. Its in a yellow box and they are tropical favors. Very tasty, sugar free, with only 4 carbs. They absolutely saved me. It's a nice treat when u want something sweet, but you CAN over do them because they have carbs. I also use products from Walden Farms....especially the salad dressings. No carbs, no sugar, no calories. If they are too thin, you can add fat free non flavored yogurt to thicken them up. If you go lonline and google Phase 1 ideal protein diet, it will show you a good diet plan to follow with low carb veggies and when it says to add the ideal protein that they sell, just add your personal protein. Focus on drinking Water & at 6 weeks you can start exercising. I have not because I have bone & joint problems but I have continued to lose weight. I lost weight quickly the first month, then I started with the plateaus. I wouldn't lose for 2-3 weeks, then all of a sudden, I would get on the scale and drop 5 lbs over night. After the first month, the weight loss slowed to 8-10 lbs a month for me. I recommend checking out Dr Guillermo Alvarez on you tube. He has awesome advice & he answers a lot of questions. I searched the internet daily for all my questions & did a lot of research on my own, because my doctor was not very detailed in what he told me before surgery. Just an FYI...I met a lady the other night that had VSG in 2006. She had gained a lot of weight back & when I asked her what she was doing, she told me she ate sweets, especially a lot of cake. So, stay away from that and anything that has liquid calories...forever!!! I am eating Protein Bars now, instead of shakes, and they have high carbs, but they are good carbs and you should eat them before noon and then try to stay away from carbs the rest of the day. When you hit a stall, increase your protein and water intake and you will lose again. If it's not lbs, it will be inches. Good Luck!!!

I am a nurse and do a lot of lifting/bending and moving. I took 4 weeks off and I feel like I definitely needed that time. :-)