derbygirl

1. The Young and the Restless on SOAPNet in the evening. 2. My sister who sets aside three kids, a husband and a remodeling project to listen to me carry on about nothing in particular. :huggie: 3. coffee :tea: 4. 90s Alternative Rock :drum: 5. Lapbandtalk.com :grouphug:

I think it was nice of the manager. Here's another reason to tell: They're going to find out from someone and it may not be you. I told my HR person, who I ASSUMED was bound to confidentiality. Well, she didn't tell anyone in the office (that I know of), but she did tell a former employee who keeps in touch with everyone at the office. Needless to say, the cat is out of the bag. I had planned on telling people I had surgery after they started asking what I was doing to lose weight. I just wanted a few months without the nosey questions and food policing and all the other things that come with telling people you're on a diet. So, go on, tell everyone. You might as well be the one to spread it around.

I'm kind of glad to hear that it's going to happen no matter what because I have really struggled to take in 80 grams of protein each day and I've been worrying about it. It's hard to remember to drink that protein drink at exactly the right time so it doesn't come too close after one meal or too close to the next.

I know it's probably a dumb question, but I've been chewing so much that it's practically a liquid before I swallow. I'm wondering if this could make me feel hungrier sooner since it might pass through the band quicker? :rolleyes

No, I didn't thaw the turkey, but I cooked it for 8 hours. It was thawed after a couple, so I don't think it would have reached 170 no matter how long I cooked it in the crockpot. Good luck to everyone who is planning to use the crockpot, but be sure to use your meat thermometer. You might need to finish it off in the oven. And thanks for the tip about the Rachel Ray website!

I'm a cash patient and I feel like I've sacrified everything, financially, to have this lapband surgery. Before the surgery I was concerned that I'd need a lot of support for the weight loss journey, but it seems like that's been the easy part. I'm in a position where I need to sell my house and rent an apartment. And because of that I'm having to find a new home for my pets. I'm getting calls from creditors, which is something I've never had to deal with...and they make you feel like an awful person...like you're trying to pull something over on them. I don't feel like having this surgery was a mistake, but this is a major consequence that I didn't anticipate. Is anyone else dealing with this? I'm really depressed and could use some cheering up. I can't even afford therapy now. :tired

Before I was diagnosed with diabetes, I started having foot pain, not knowing that was a symptom. I always assumed it was stress from my weight causing the pain. My blood sugars have come down since the surgery, and for a couple of weeks post-surgery, my foot pain went away. But it's back now and I'm wondering...will it go away as I lose weight? Or is this permanent damage? Is anyone here currently dealing with this problem, and if so, how do you manage the pain? Or if you have had this problem in the past and no longer have it as an issue, please speak up.

Lisa, have you told your doc that you're constantly PBing? He might be able to help you figure out why it keeps happening.

These are great ideas...especially sex. Thanks, guys!

Today is the first time I've forgotten to bring my lunch with me to work. I live an hour from my office--I can't just run home. I have nobody to eat lunch with, so I don't want to go to a "real" restaurant. So it brings up an interesting question.... What can I swing through a drive-through and buy that's healthy and tolerable for me...and has a good amount of Protein? Suggestions...? :rolleyes And don't say a grilled chicken sandwich without the bun because that stuff's like plastic and I'd have to chew it for like 2 weeks before swallowing it.

Jack, or anyone else who is familiar, How long does it take to know if the food you just ate is going to stick? Up to an hour? Immediately? I haven't gotten stuck yet and I'm anxious about it. Sometimes I swallow something and think, "oh no...I didn't chew that well enough" and then I sit there and dread whatever this "stuck" feeling is going to feel like.

Thanks for the tip. Can you get the veggies to carmelize in stock? I think I'm going to try half stock and half oil. And maybe fat-free margarine next time.

Mushroom Sausage Stuffing Made this tonight and it was fantastick. It's a slightly altered recipe from one of Suzanne Somers' cookbooks. It takes a little more time than I generally spend on one dish, but it was worth it...and I'm definitely making for Thanksgiving this year. Very meaty, so you're going to get your protein. Also, if you can think of a way to cut down on the fat, let me know. I had to use quite a bit of olive oil to saute the veggies so they wouldn't stick to the pan. Should make about eight 4-ounce servings. But it can be easily halved (that's what I did tonight). 4 onions, chopped 3 T. olive oil 4 cups coarsely chopped mushrooms (I used 1/2 baby bella and 1/2 portabella) 1/2 cup cooking wine 2 T. low-fat butter 1.5 pounds chicken sausage (SuperTarget carries several varieties) 1/2 t. dried tarragon Salt and pepper Saute onions in olive oil over low heat until carmelized (about 30 minutes). Turn heat up to medium and add mushrooms. Saute 10-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn heat to high and add wine. Let wine cook off for a couple of minutes, then lower to simmer for another 10 minutes. Stir in the butter 1 T. at a time. Remove from heat and set aside. In a large skillet, brown the sausage. (Take it out of the casing first.) Combine with mushroom mixture and enjoy. :hungry:

I tried the turkey today. It never reached 170 on the meat thermometer, even though I cooked it on high for 8.5 hours. It might have been fine, but I didn't want to risk it. Also, my crockpot might not get as hot as some. Anyway, I finally just pulled the meat off of the bone, put it in a baking dish and stuck it in the oven on 350. Wasn't done in time for dinner, but it will be ready tomorrow. Fortunately, I had made some chicken and mushroom stuffing that was to die for. So that became my dinner. I posted the recipe in the recipe forum. It takes a little time, but wow...it's amazing.

I found some recipes to make turkey breast in a crockpot, but I want to slow roast it. Most of the recipes say 3-4 hours on high. Do you think it's safe to cook it on high a couple of hours and then on low for 6 hours or so? I do that with other meats, but turkey always intimidates me. Also, I'm thinking about not thawing it first since there's no gizzards or anything. What do you think?

I buy Egg Beaters in the 3-pack because each of those is exactly 4 ounces. So on the weekends, I spray a saucepan with Pam, pour one of those in and just a little skim milk, salt and pepper. Cook it on medium high and stir it constantly. You'll get wet scrambled eggs...and if you add a piece of 2% American cheese, you can get a little extra Protein. It's quick and easy. On the weekdays I struggle with breakfast. I am not a morning person and will not get up in time to cook anything, no matter how simple. I like to take some whipped yogurt with me to the office or a really ripe banana. Or both. I'm going to look for those frozen scrambled eggs someone mentioned though because I didn't know they made such, and it sounds like a great option.

Sherilynn, I was feeling the exact same way you are just about a month ago. I was diagnosed 2 weeks before surgery. But you will find that those blood sugar numbers will plummet within a couple of weeks after surgery. I was between 160-190 pre-surgery. And now, four weeks out, I average 105. Don't sweat it. And, if by chance, the numbers don't fall fast enough for your primary doc, you'll just have to take a pill everyday until they do get in the right range. Everything will be fine. You're doing EXACTLY what you need to be doing to get your diabetes under control by having this surgery. Good luck!

I want to thank everyone for posting their experiences and helpful suggestions on this topic, and I especially want to thank Kathy. Girl, this is EXACTLY how I'm feeling right now. I lost weight like crazy, beginning with the pre-op diet....30 pounds in 3 weeks. I was psyched! Then I waited 10 days before weighing again...and I had only lost 3 more pounds. I felt like I was eating next to nothing, of course, and my hunger was beginning to return, so I WAS starting to wonder if I'd made a mistake by spending every last dime I had on this surgery. Thank you so much for letting me know that this is a completely normal situation. :nervous

What's the verdict on salad dressing/mayonnaise? I know that Atkins followers prefer the real deal vs. Miracle Whip due to sugar content. Should I follow that same line of thinking? I really prefer Light Miracle Whip. Maybe I shouldn't be eating it at all? Any insight would be appreciated.

Please let us know how it went. I have my first fill in a couple of weeks and I'm nervous, too.

I was banded less than 3 weeks ago, and everything has been going fine, but for some reason I'm depressed. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't know what to do. I don't even know why I'm depressed, but I'm sitting here crying for absolutely no reason and I haven't been able to drag myself to work in two days. Is this common?

Also, does anyone eat protein bars? I'm looking for something I can grab on my way out the door in the morning..or eat at the office.

Vegas mentioned Isopure. Both she and my surgeon claimed that Isopure has 40 grams of protein. But the ones I've picked up only have 20. Are there different kinds and strengths??

I'd like to make a goal, but I don't know how to pick one. So I'm going to rip off the last person's goal. Yeah, 25 pounds! We can do it!!!

Mine was 10/5.