PATCHELTON

I would like to take exception to your statement that salad is not a band-friendly choice. That depends on the salad. One of my favorite meals is chicken caesar salad. To make sure I get protein first, I use a grilled chicken breast cooked in eithe olive oil or olive oil Pam. I cut up a hardboiled egg, put them on a bed of Romaine lettuce with Parmesan cheese, light caesar dressing, and fat free croutons. Does that "voilate" the rules?

I read your post from a while back about getting a group together in Harford County. I live in Edgewood. I go to the group at St. Agnes once a month, but it would be nice to have a group in Harford County. We could do it informally, like at one of the libraries, or maybe make it officical and meet, say, at the McFaul Activity Center in Bel Air. We might need a trained support group leader for that, so informal would probably be easier. Depending on people's feelings about eating out, we could meet at a local restaurant, like Double T. I am not sure where the library is in Bel Air, but there is one in Edgewood and Joppatowne. Let me know what you think. You can email me at work at pchelton@midatlanticcardio.com.

I read your post about your coworker. I too had a coworker who only lost 20 pounds since last November. She went to Bayview, but I don't think the hospitatl mattered. She wanted to eat less crap; not stop eating crap, just eat less. She also has a sweet tooth (the band is more of a challenge with a sweet tooth--so many things slip down easily, like chocolate, ice cream, cake, pudding, etc). She fudged her 6 month diet, got past the psych evaluator, and since surgery does not exercise, does not see the dietician, and does not go to group support. When she is stressed out she eats sweets. She has had several fills, I think up to 9ccs. If you use the resources available to you, and get your head around eating differently and make a real comittment to exercise, you will be succesful.

I hope this info helps. I had more but my message was too long. If you have questions you are welcome to email me at work, pchelton@midatlanticcardio.com.

microwavable dish (meal portion size)

cover bottom with 1/3 to 1/2 jar of Ragu Pizza Sauce (I use Homemade Style)

cover with Hormel Turkey Pepperoni (70% less fat)

Cover with your favorite toppings (I use Birdseye Pepper Stir Fry--3 colors of peppers and onion chunks)

cover with Kraft Free fat free shredded cheese (either Mozarella or Cheddar-I use both)

nuke for 2 minutes to heat and melt cheese

Enjoy!

You have had quite an adventure. I lost 35 lbs before surgery, the rest since. I am hovering now between 149 and 151. I have become an avid walker and I think that has helped a lot. With it dark when I leave work now, I do Curves and water aerobics and walk in the park weekends and days off. I carry peanuts for the squirrels (I eat a few too). I am thrilled that I was able to do it fast. It really helped my motivation. Now I am broke from buying new clothes! Good luck to you on your journey, and hang in there. It is so worth it. I am on virtually no medicine (my doctor is letting me stop my last BP med with monitoring--I have to give her a month's worth of readings). I have a pain med for my knees but I hardley ever need it. At least until my next blood test I am off 2 cholesterol meds, 1 and maybe 2 blood pressure meds, and a reflux med. I am hoping it all still looks good on the next labwork.

Crustless Pizza

1) microwavable dish (meal portion size)

2) pour in about 1/3 to 1/2 jar of Ragu (I use the Homemade Style)

3) cover that with Hormel Turkey Pepperonis (70% less fat). If you like bacon Hormel makes bacon bits that are reduced fat (big bags available at Costco)

4) cover that with favorite low fat toppings (I use Birdseye Pepper Stir Fry--it consists of 3 colors of pepper chunks and onion chunks--I keep bags in the freezer and throw in various dishes).

5) Top with shredded Kraft Free fat free cheese (I use both Mozarella and Cheddar--just had some for lunch today) or you can use low fat shredded if you prefer

6) Nuke for 2 minutes on high.

Enjoy.

Crustless Pizza

1) microwavable dish (meal portion size)

2) pour in about 1/3 to 1/2 jar of Ragu (I use the Homemade Style)

3) cover that with Hormel Turkey Pepperonis (70% less fat). If you like bacon Hormel makes bacon bits that are reduced fat (big bags available at Costco)

4) cover that with favorite low fat toppings (I use Birdseye Pepper Stir Fry--it consists of 3 colors of pepper chunks and onion chunks--I keep bags in the freezer and throw in various dishes).

5) Top with shredded Kraft Free fat free cheese (I use both Mozarella and Cheddar--just had some for lunch today) or you can use low fat shredded if you prefer

6) Nuke for 2 minutes on high.

Enjoy.

Thanks for your message. I lost 10 lbs during my 6 month supervised diet, then on the pre op liquid diet that lasted 3 weeks instead of 2 because I caught a cold I lost another 25. The rest has been post-op. My surgeon says the band helped some, but I did most of it. My stomach still growls sometimes, even when my pouch is full. Weird! I have been told that the growling can be from head hunger too, but it sure feels real, doesn't it? I have only had a couple sliming episodes, from food getting stuck. I finally talked the surgeon into a conservative fill on my last visit. I had lost weight so I thought he would talk me out of it, but I said my portions were getting larger, even though I was eating the good stuff. So he gave me 1.5cc, and I had 2ccs in the band. He told me I was ahead of schedule for all 3 types of surgery. I am delighted as it motivates me to stay on track.