only4me

Dini- you will be so excited to know that I am actually 50% Italian and 50% Irish- My mother made all of the decisions and did all of the cooking, so I always consider it an Italian upbrining (not to mention that we were very close to her sisters families)-my mothers family is from a small town in Sicily called Laderiit is on the east coast of Sicily- My fathers family is from Cork County Ireland. His mother's maiden name was McDonald. Im sure that is a popular name in Ireland

The one thing that I am also going to have to change is that "I want to feed the word" attitude. When company comes over, I overdue it, when my kids friends come over, I am putting out the chips, cookies, soda. When my kids (the teenagers) are going through something- I want to take them out for Icecream. I have got to not have my life center around food.

lynette- I never heard of turbo jam- is it one of those infomercial excercise cd's?

Hello Buds... I too hate to leave food on the plate. I was never forced to eat everything on my plate, but somehow managed to get that mentality somehow. I also am cooking as if I am eating......I am so overcooking, I have so much leftovers in the fridge. I have a husband, 4 kids and my mother who lives with me. I am still cooking like there is an army to feed. And my kids hate leftovers!! So I have to clean out my fridge and throw out so much food (its killing me) Last night I made 2 lbs of meatballs!!! I realized what I did after baking them. So I took 1/2 of what I cooked and froze them without sauce so my family wont know the next time I need meatballs that they were leftover. Right before my surgery, I went to a local support group and I met a woman who lost over 100lbs in a little over a year and has kept if off now for a year. She strongly recomended that I get a small plate (salad plate) and use that from now on. It is helping, however, I am really portion controlling everything, and my family is in the habbit of scraping their plates in the garbage and placing them in the sink when they get up from the table.

Happyhaley- you might not be getting enough protien. Before you have the stirfry I would have a protien shake. They really helped get me through. I was on pre-op diet for 10 days, I know what your going through, but when they say no food, they mean no food. This is for your health. You can do it!!

Chris- what are the dates that you will be in?

Chris- Im out in suffolk county which is about 60 miles from NYC- its out on Long Island. So, the support group I go to might be to far. You might want to look at the tread for support groups in NYC.

Chris, Where in New York are you staying?

Ron, When is the next support meeting. How was August? I was to early post op to attend. All has been going well since my surgery. Looking forward to the next support meeting. Do you remember the name of the woman I was speaking to at the July meeting. She was the one who lost over 100lbs and only had 1 fill. She was so helpful to me that night. I really took to heart everything she said to me and the advise she gave me has been so helpful. I cant wait to see her just to thank her.

Candle- Goodluck with surgery. I was banded by Dr. Geiss 7/31/07- I just had my first post op and everything is going very well.

Aunty Phil- Sorry your husband is watching every move you make. My husband hasnt made any comments but I do notice that he is watching. Im trying to figure out why, Im not sure if he is just very curious or he is concerned. I dont think he is doing it to be controling. I agree with Kathy- tell him outright to back off a bit. That this is your journey and you have to be the one in control of it. Sometime some people think they are helping by the comments they make but they are actually making things more difficult. Go out to dinner for your anniversary, Celebrate this time in your life, but talk to him before you go. Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!!!! Kathy- are you able to tolerate spicy foods? Im really afraid to try at this point. I had meatballs with a little tomato sauce tonight and it is bothering me a little.

We all are pretty damn Hot arent we!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha

lynette- how do you find the unflavored protien powder mixed in with food? Does it throw the flavor off at all? I did buy the unflavored injury but havent used it yet. I was so sick of the shakes that I coulnt wait to get to the mushy stage so that I would only have to have 1 shake a day. Tenille-congrats on the 14 lbs- your Labor Day goal is so reachable-Im sure you will do it. Chim- that meal is now in the past- you cant change it...you only have to look foward. I know what you mean about missing a meal and you cant control yourself at the next meal. That happened to me yesterday. I was so hungry that I ate much faster than I should have and I was in such pain afterward (for about 4 hours). A definate weakness. As my mother would say, I was eating like someone was trying to take it away from me. (can we say a definate phrase to send your overweight child to therapy)-and that was one of her more gental phrases. Tonight, I made meatballs. I had 2 one once meatballs. They were the best meatballs I ever ate!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right now I think Chef Boyarde would make me thrilled.

I saw the PA-Deirdra- she was great!! She removed all of my sutures. She said that they are made of glucose and although they disolve on their own, it will take months to go away. She also said that the first fill if I need it would be in 4 more weeks. (6 weeks after surgery)- she also went over transitioning to mushy then solid foods. (as I have been having problems just with full liquids at times. I had to ask her what size band I had, and she said that the size of the band would give me a different experience than somone who has a larger band. She said that most of the problems that I am experiencing (spasms in the esphogus, and pain in the chest are probalby due to the fact that I am still swollen inside (everyone is different some people heal quicker and are only swollen for a few days and some people it could last for up to 4-6 weeks, so she urged me to be realisitic when adding mushies. and if I have a problem to go back to full liquids for a day and then try again but very very slow, and chew chew chew.

Welcome back Kathy- glad you had a wonderful time. I just got back from my first post op. I am down 21 lbs from the first day of pre-op liquids (13 since day of surgery)- I found out that I have the 4cc band. I am alowed to go on mushies today. I am starting with eggsalad for lunch today. I am so very excited!!!

I dont know why my posts sometimes automatically happen.....I must be hitting something on the keyboard that posts them. Like I was saying, Im trying to adopt the philosphy that less is best, If I liked the beans without the cheese, why put it on.....Hope it works for me. We (my family) went out to dinner today to Applebee's I had the clam chowder, but took out all of the clams. It was very satisfying and filling. I have my first post op tomorrow. I cant wait to see what I lost.

Hello Lucky Sevens.....Lynette, thanks for the tip on the melted cheese. I might try it next time, but Im afraid to add things like that because Cheese is a big weakness for me. I LOVE CHEESE-----MY

Did another of my improvising today. I took refried beans, thinned them out with stock to soup consistancy, added 2 tbs of taco sauce, and a dollop of ff sour cream. I felt like I ate at the best mexican restaurant. Its amazing how normally I wouldnt have wasted my time on something like that, but after 3+ weeks of liquids, I thought it was a gourmet meal!!

Tenille- you have to load it as your avitar

Lynette- that is just great news about your insurance. I work in a dental office and deal with insurances all the time. I always submitt claims for people who are supposed to be not covered for certain proceedures. I have seen pleanty of times where the insurance company paid the claim. Smart move on your part!

is anyone elses page huge? I cant get it on the screen

Sorry my recipie caused the page to get huge. It happens everytime I cut and paste something.

it wont let me bring up the web address.

The website is SOUP OF THE EVENING...BEAUTIFUL SOUP