Dar61

Another tip
Protein always first. Eat foods high in Fiber. vegetables, Beans legumes.(avoid the high fiber carbs bread etc) fruit in small amounts.
Here is my local bariatric dietitians web site. She has some great recipes
http://insidekarenskitchen.com/bariatric-friendly-recipes/
Bariatric plate to keep things in perspective

I also have an egg foo young recipe and eggnog that are great, too.
Cannoli Cream:
1 Cup of fat free ricotta
1 TBSP fat free/sugar free instant pudding mix (vanilla, cheesecake, etc…)
1/3 Cup of Water
1/6 Cup powdered milk
1/2 to 1 tsp. extract (vanilla, rum, almond, etc…)
Blend all in a blender or bullet.
Nutrition for the whole thing (it is actually 3-4 meals for me)
Fat-0, carbs-17.5, fiber-0, Protein 25, Calories-185



Italian Sausage
1 lb. 93% lean groung turkey
4 minced garlic cloves and or 2 tsp garlic powder (depends on how much garlic you like)
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fennel seed (or more to taste)
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or cajun seasoning
1/8 tsp anise seed
2 tsp parsley
1 TBSP red or burgundy wine
Mix all together and use in any recipes* that call for Italian sausage (I’ve fooled MANY people) If you like spicy Italian sausage, you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes. It is great grilled for burgers or in lasagna.
*My favorite thing to do with it is to flatten it into one large or several small patties, with a lip around the edge. Place on a sprayed baking sheet, top with your favorite low carb sauce, crushed tomatoes or fresh tomatoes, low fat or fat free cheese, veggies etc… Bake on bottom rack at 425* till it is done to your liking. It is a cross between a deep dish and meatlover’s pizza.


Mashed Cauliflower:
cook cauliflower then blend with immersion blender or bullet (they won't taste 'potato-y if you use a regular blender)
Add laughing cow wedges, ranch powder, garlic, onion or whatever else you like.
Protein Pancakes:
Vanilla Protein Powder, baking powder, egg beaters till pancake batter consistency, cook like pancakes. You can also add plain FF Greek yogurt or FF ricotta.
I'll post more recipes tomorrow, as I don't have them with me at the moment

My NUT cautions against too much fruit, as that can cause the same cravings and hunger. I rarely eat fruit, and stick to mostly non-starchy veggies.

Yes to the recipes, please share.

I LOVE the baked Quest bars! I put them under the broiler and then flip them.. So good!! The white chocolate raspberry is my fave

Also, I used to LOVE sub sandwiches!!
Now I make salads that reproduce all the flavors of my favs, minus the bread and fatty Condiments. Now bread just seems to take away from the flavors I want and I rarely even desire it!
And, don't forget to keep that half hour window between eating & drinking, you will stay full longer

@@carfeli2004 Things that help me are adapting my recipes.
Cauliflower makes a great 'rice', mashed 'potatoes', cheddar 'tater'-tots, 'mac' & cheese, etc......
Spaghetti squash (my fave is with my homemade fat free cheese sauce and maybe a turkey hot dog)
FF/SF Cannoli cream made with FF ricotta
Lasagna made with roasted slices of zucchini and eggplant
Flourless Protein pancakes with unsweetened applesauce on top
Dannon Light & Fit Greek yogurt
I even have some recipes for super decadent Protein muffins, brownies and cakes. Using either Protein powder and/or Beans
Quest bars and chips (did you know that if you cut up and bake a chocolate chip cookie dough one, it tastes like little chocolate chip cookies!!??, watch carefully when baking, they only take a few minutes)
If you want recipes, feel free to ask, I love to share!

Guilty as charged! Thanks for the Topic, and the responses. Will be getting back on the right track tomorrow. Been struggling since my first sliver of pie at Christmas dinner. I should have known better . In my case one sliver led to another, nothing huge but in the days since then, I've had several slips eating more and sooo hungry! Scared to say the least.

Guilty as charged! Thanks for the Topic, and the responses. Will be getting back on the right track tomorrow. Been struggling since my first sliver of pie at Christmas dinner. I should have known better . In my case one sliver led to another, nothing huge but in the days since then, I've had several slips eating more and sooo hungry! Scared to say the least.

Guilty as charged! Thanks for the Topic, and the responses. Will be getting back on the right track tomorrow. Been struggling since my first sliver of pie at Christmas dinner. I should have known better . In my case one sliver led to another, nothing huge but in the days since then, I've had several slips eating more and sooo hungry! Scared to say the least.

Guilty as charged! Thanks for the Topic, and the responses. Will be getting back on the right track tomorrow. Been struggling since my first sliver of pie at Christmas dinner. I should have known better . In my case one sliver led to another, nothing huge but in the days since then, I've had several slips eating more and sooo hungry! Scared to say the least.

Okay, Luanne - here you go - Can cross my legs and love it! Can walk two or miles a day without having a heart attack! Can fit into size 8 clothes and love it! Can look myself in the mirror now (can't say I love it 'cause I STILL see the wrinkles! lol) without flinching! Can do anything I please without stopping to catch my breath every few seconds! Need I go on?? (smile)
Also, I am almost 10 months out and can eat a small amount of most anything. Still can't do a lot of very dense Protein like steak or chicken breast unless very, very tender and easily digested. I am trying now to go back to low carb as much as possible because I went through a month or so of beginning to eat "junk" in small amounts and don't want to re-train my thought processes back to bad eating habits. Reached goal of 150 in late February with weight loss of 101 total now. Will probably lose another 10 pounds or so if I can manage it.
Enough said? LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my sleeve.

Well, I am 57, at goal, lost 101 lbs, in 8 mos. And HAVE wrinkles! Face and neck. Really really noticeable to me. Others say not so much but there are groves and lines now due to WL. But, hey, I am a size 8 now. Can't have everything! Lol

Hello all of you AB FAB 50 Somethings!

I'm just starting my VSG journey -- and, like everyone else -- it's been a long time coming. If it weren't so sad, it would probably make an awesome dance. I'm callin' it the VSG BOOGIE -- Two steps forward, one step back, slide to the side, move to the back, jump through the hoops, now twist to the left, then skate to the right. Now Everybody JUMP JUMP JUMP. (Okay, so it's a work in progress, but then again, so am I. For now, it's just an interpretive dance...)

I've decided that my mental theme song for the first part of my VSG Boogie is "I like to move it, move it. I like to move it, move it...." Then again, maybe I'm just mental enough to begin with

Bette Davis once said "Getting old ain't for sissies" and BOY was she right. So, I've decided that at 56, I'm not even close to old, but I am ALMOST perfectly aged (like fine wine or cheese). No Mad Dog 2020 or Limburger for me thank you very much.

There's one thing I'm really, really looking forward to....taking a step and not having to wait for my butt to catch up and stop shakin'.

Looking for mentors, accountability partners, and having fun, fun, fun till Big Daddy takes the TBird away.

Plenty of sagging with this 57 y/o but I'm of the "super obese" group and definetly will need panus removal due to repeated infections. My face is wrinkle~free so far but I expect that will change. I have so many problems caused by my obesity and feel so much better I can handle wrinkles. I still can't weigh myself on a regular scale so I don't weigh myself very much. I'm so glad I had surgery and am happy so many younger people are having surgery before their health is ruined. Hooray fo us 50's.

I agree with @Babbs. Also, are you getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Eating enough Protein will keep you satisfied longer and we often mistake thirst for hunger.
If you are hungry, try drinking more Water. If you are still hungry, have a small, protein rich snack.< /p>
Be sure and avoid starches and sugar which will make you crave starches and sugar.

Let me guess. You're eating either bread, Pasta, crackers, Cookies, processed foods or sugar. Or all of the above.
You know how I know? Those things cause cravings and hunger, and never satisfy.
I went through this a few weeks at Christmas time. I was RAVAGED with hunger, and no matter how hard I tried to resist, I would cave and eat the crap again. Luckily, I didn't gain because I kept excersising, but I had to break the cycle.
I decided January 1st to detox. Lots of Water, Protein and veggies with every meal (aside from a Protein shake for breakfast). NO sugar or processed food.
I'm on day 4, and not only have I lost a pound (I'm in maintenence), my cravings and hunger are gone and my restriction is even better. Once I got over the hump the first day or so, it was smooth sailing from there. I feel great.
Give it a try! Good luck!

If you’re putting off your weight loss surgery (WLS) because you’re worried about Hair loss, you’re not alone! And if you were surprised when you suddenly started to lose your hair a few months post-op, you’re not the first WLS patient to be caught off guard.


Here are a few facts on hair loss after weight loss surgery.
It’s actually a condition called “telogen effluvium,” which happens when more of your hair is in the resting stage than the growth stage, so you end up losing hair faster than it grows.
Telogen effluvium – and hair loss - can be triggered by stressful events like WLS and the WLS diet.
It’s more common after gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries than after the lap-band.
Hair loss is most severe around 3 to 6 months post-op.

It’s hard to predict who will lose their hair and who won’t after WLS. Also, there’s no fail-proof protection against hair loss. But there are a lot of promising strategies that work for some WLS patients that may work for you. The best part about them is that they’re also good for weight loss.
Protein: 65 or More Grams Daily
Protein is the foundation of your post-op WLS diet. It’s a nutrient that lets your surgery wounds heal. It also helps you maintain lean muscle mass as you lose weight. And when you get enough of it, it can help reduce hair loss.
Lap-band patients need at least 65 grams of Protein each day. Sleeve and bypass patients need 80 to 100 or more grams per day. Go lean with sources like tofu, chicken breast, tuna, egg whites, and non-fat yogurt and cottage cheese. If you can’t hit your needs with food, go for low-sugar protein shakes, protein powders, and protein bars.
Water: Not an Afterthought
Fluids aren’t always top on your mind when you’re worrying about your weight loss diet, but maybe they should be. When you choose calorie-free ones, they can help reduce hunger and lose more weight. Plus, Water prevents dehydration and symptoms like headaches and fatigue. It also promotes healing and lets your body function - and that’s good news for your hair.
Aim for at least 64 ounces per day of calorie-free fluids, such as water, flavored waters, diet sports drinks, and broth/bouillon. Feel free to go for more, though!
Biotin and Silica: Ask Your Surgeon
Biotin and silica are essential nutrients. You can usually get enough of them from diet alone, but WLS changes that. Some people swear that Biotin and silica supplements can reduce hair loss, but the science doesn’t yet support that. Talk to your doctor before taking these supplements. Biotin is usually safe even in high doses, but too much silica can be a problem.
Essential Fatty Acids: Fats Are Good!
Fats are high-calorie, and they make many foods off limits: think fried foods, creamy foods, and fatty meats. But some fats are good, and they’re the ones that you’re most likely to be deficient in after WLS. The possible results? Scaly skin and…hair loss.
You don’t need huge amounts of fats to stay healthy. You could see a difference just by getting a little more omega-3 fat in your diet. Once you’re into the mushies/pureed foods stage, you can get omega-3’s from pureed boneless salmon and canned tuna. Later, you can add walnuts and flaxseeds. If you’re not eating these foods, you might want to ask your doctor about a fish oil supplement.
The Extras
Why does hair fall out? Stress! So let’s see…what stresses have you already put on your body? There’s the stress of surgery; the stress of starving your body at least, that’s what your body thinks when you drop down to 1,000 calories a day; the stress of changing your entire lifestyle and possibly your relationships.
When you think about all the stress in life, it’s a wonder anyone has any hair left at all! So when possible, try to reduce stress however you can.
Get enough sleep.< br> Take time for yourself.
Exercise daily.
Laugh it off…whatever “it” is, it’s probably not worth losing your hair over!

Taking good care of yourself after WLS can help prevent hair loss, but not always. Still, you can take heart in the fact that it probably won’t last for more than a few months. And at the other end of those few months, you’ll be down several pounds. Isn’t a little hair loss worth it if the payback is to be healthy?

I did not over eat today! AND I ate a tiny piece of pie! I feel I deserved that teeny tiny piece of pie. Everyone laughed at how small my piece of pie was...but it was pretty darn good, and it was plenty.

I'm taking my twice baked mashed cauliflower, and I'm also taking the ham and turkey to my Moms. (we have a huge crowd coming). The twice baked mashed cauliflower is to die for!

I'm going to make a pretty plate then eat turkey, that will make me full and trick myself into feeling like I could have ate it so I'm not deprived I just couldn't!! Game on brain! Game on!!!

I loved refried Beans during the early days and had cans of them in the pantry. I decided to learn how to make them from scratch since I figured they'd taste better and they did. And they freeze well too, so I would do a big slow cooker batch and then portion them out and have a freezer full of delicious Beans to eat on.
Low fat (not) refried beans recipe:
http://www.budgetbytes.com/2011/08/not-refried-beans/
I've use black beans, kidney beans and pintos in this and they all turn out wonderfully!

Refried Beans were my hero during 3rd and 4th week. I love them. I added turkey Bone Broth to them to increase Protein and shredded cheese. Yummy!!

The problem with coffee is the caffeine. Caffeine is absorbed into the body with the same receptors as Vitamin D. If caffeine is present, you cannot absorb the Vitamin D. On top of that, it also leeches Vitamins out of the body. I have at least a cup of coffee a day, sometimes two. But I also have mega dose prescription of Vitamin D that I take mid day.
As always, talk to your surgeon about these things. My nutritionist is worthless for the most part as I always have more information going in to my appointments than she has prepared. Her appointments feel more like scheduled product sales pitches than anything else.

Prior to surgery, I had an extreme caffeine addiction (that was even worse when I was in college and grad school). Over time, I realized that while I had developed this addiction, my need for caffeine was commensurate with how much I was overeating. I found that a few sips of coffee satisfied me after a small meal, whereas a Venti would hardly be enough after a larger one.
Now that my caloric intake has been slashed big time, I find that I do not even have the desire for the coffee I buy. I have been getting tiny little cups (i.e., the Dunkin small, the Starbucks short, etc...), and barely even denting them. So while I may still have a desire for caffeine in my head, and probably the need for a couple sips right when I wake up, I feel like the surgery has completely knocked my life's second great love affair with an ingestible, and is still working on putting the other one (food) to sleep.
I agree with the other posters. It is a clear liquid, so it is one of the first things you can have, and as long as you are getting you 64 fl oz of Water, go for it depending on your need.