SpideyMom

Thanks!!! I was a Diet Coke addict, and I still have some left over, so I think I'll try that next.

Congrats, John! Let us know how it goes. I'm also jealous that you get a second fill in just 2 weeks. I also do month to month. Melissa -- and anyone else who has had their first fill for a little while -- have you noticed increased weight loss since having your first fill? I'm so eager for the weight to come off quickly again!

Thanks, John! I somehow think that would ruin it for me, though. lol But -- I will tell me surgeon about that trick. He told us at our support group to just pour it in a glass and wait 30 minutes. Still... I need my CO2. That's why I *loved* fountain drinks -- you get more!!!

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

Mmm... philly cheese steak casserole sounds wonderful! Would you be so kind as to share your recipe, please? Thanks!!!

I made something called Ricotta Bake, also taken from the "What did you eat today?" thread. It's very simple. Layer part-skim ricotta cheese with spaghetti sauce, top with low fat mozzarella or low fat Italian 4-cheese blend, bake at 350 until the cheese is bubbly. It's like lasagna without the noodles. Enjoy! I also really enjoyed eating hummus and baba ganoush during my mushy stage. HTH!

Oh, I miss my Diet Coke, too!!!:ihih:

2911, I've been eating chicken every day since I was able to eat normal food. The key, I believe, is that it must be moist and you must take small bites and chew very well. I've have no problems! :grouphug: I really enjoy chicken Caesar salad. The dressing helps moisten the chicken, as does the lettuce. I'm more afraid of the lettuce than the chicken, actually, so I cut it to tiny shreds before eating it. It takes a long time to eat, and it is chock full o' Protein and Fiber. I hope that helps! Oh, and always take the skin off! That will choke you in a second! Another very good thing while out is ground beef. Get a hamburger without the bun, add the fixin's you like, and cut it up well. A side of baked Beans adds a lot of protein and is very soft. Refried beans are also very good, if you like them. Add a little FF sour cream, and you have a real treat! And, as my Lap Band book says, if in doubt, ask for scrambled eggs. Just be careful not to eat them too fast like I did. I PB'd once while eating them because they tasted so good! I took too big a bite, and didn't chew enough. Came right back up my throat. Wasn't gross though. Didn't come out of my mouth and embarrass me in front of others, in case you were wondering about PBs. Good luck!!! And enjoy!!

Oh, yeah. And immediately remorseful. :grouphug: Thankfully, my dh is very patient.

Oh, I joined you on the warpath yesterday, Sarah! Ugh!!!

Ok, finally DTD, 1 month after surgery. Didn't feel any discomfort at all. Couldn't feel the port site or any incisions. :thumbup:

I've had a port before (for chemo) and the area that the doc/nurse can stick the needle into is about the size of a dime. In my experience, it comes down to how skilled the person giving the injection is with dealing with the port. I had one nurse who was excellent, while others were awful. I know that doesn't help much, but maybe you can ask who the most experienced IV nurse is when you get there. Also, it helps to get lidocaine ahead of time. HTH! :thumbup:

2911, yes, you really can eat normal foods. Just choose simple foods, and chew, chew, chew. Stay away from bread, rice, tough steak, stringy veggies, etc. -- the things the doc probably warned you about. You'll be fine on vacation. Enjoy! :thumbup:

It's called Bandster Hell, and it sucks! :thumbup:

Yep, I had one... from eating a big bite of scrambled eggs too fast. Really surprised me! I thought scrambled eggs wouldn't be a problem. Who knew?! Guess anything can get stuck if you eat a big bite and eat it too fast. Luckily mine didn't seem gross. It was just eggs coming back up my throat. It wasn't like vomit. :thumbup:

I thought maybe we could start sharing some of our yummy recipes for real food on here -- things that are healthy and don't get stuck! Here's one I heard about on the "What did you eat today?" thread, and I looked it up on the Internet. I'm trying to find out the nutritional counts for it, but don't know where to go for that. Dr. Pepper chicken Ingredients 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 can of Diet Dr. Pepper 1/2 cup of ketchup salt, pepper to taste Directions 1. Mix can of Dr. pepper and ketchup 2. Pour over chicken 3. Bring to a boil, cover & simmer for 45 mins. (Note: We just simmered for approx. 1 1/2- 2 hours, until the chicken was fork-shreddable and all the sauce was soaked up.) This is very light, very moist, and a tiny bit reminiscent of Southern BBQ because it's not a thick red sauce, plus you can taste a hint of vinegar from the ketchup. Now, I am not a fan of Southern BBQ, but I reallly like this! My hubby did, too. :thumbup:

My doc told me to do 30/60. If I'm really dying for a drink, he said 30/45. But if you look on the Lap Band website, they say 60/60-120!!!! whoa. Thanks for the warning about the soda. I won't try it. I was a Diet Coke addict, but I have successfully broken the addiction by drinking Fuze when I feel the need for something sweet.

I found this recipe for Dr. Pepper chicken on the Internet (after getting the idea from on the "What did you eat today?" thread) and it is really good. The chicken is very moist. Does anyone know what the nutritional values would be... or know where I could go to figure them out? TiA! Ann Ingredients 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 can of Diet Dr. Pepper 1/2 cup of ketchup salt, pepper to taste Directions Spray the bottom of a heavy pot with non-stick spray Season chicken and brown a few mins on each side Mix can of diet dr. pepper and ketchup Pour over chicken Bring to a boil, cover & simmer for 45 mins. (Note: We just simmered for two hours, until the chicken was fork-shreddable and all the sauce was soaked up.)

bkmom, my surgeon never told me not to go swimming, and I had never heard of any restrictions (nor did it cross my mind) and I went swimming 3 weeks after surgery! I put a waterproof bandage over the one incision that was still healing. I've been swimming since the pool opened on Mem. Day weekend, and have had no problems whatsoever. Now, of course, you didn't hear that from me.... :thumbup:

GREAT!!! :tongue2: That is what I like to hear! Sounds like a small needle compared the needle I used to have stuck in my chemo port, so I am very glad to hear that! And, it really does sound like the restriction is keeping you full. Woohoo!

Thanks for the update, David! Sounds pretty easy! :tongue2: I have two questions -- how big was the needle she used for the fill -- was it a thick one or a thin one? Also, are you now on a liquid diet again, and if so, for how long? I get my first fill next Friday, and I'm anxious to get some restriction! Let us know how it goes with your restriction and feelings of hunger, if you would please. Inquiring minds want to know!

I don't crush -- I cut into tiny pieces. It goes down easier without leaving the bitter taste in your mouth. Put a few pieces in your mouth at a time, then swallow with whatever you'd like. HTH!

Sarah, congrats on finally having your eggs! I had some on Wednesday night, and they were so good, I forgot to eat slow and they got stuck!!! I actually PB'd a little bit, but it wasn't gross or awful, it just made me feel a little better. I love shumai. Thanks for the suggestion. That's a great thing to get if we go out! Also, Trader Joe's sells them frozen, and they're pretty good. :biggrin:

Hi, Toot! Thanks for the heads up about being hungry still. Two important questions for you that I'm sure a lot of us Mayo Banditos are dying to know the answers to: 1.) Did you go through Bandster Hell before you had your first fill, where your weight loss slowed down dramatically; and 2.) If so, did your weight loss start up again after your first fill? I think I'm willing to put up with some hunger (since I've done it now for over a month ) as long as the scale starts going down again! :confused: Thanks!!!!

I've given up on crushing them! I break or cut them into small pieces that I can swallow with sips of Water. I was having a hard time taking them any other way because of the bitter taste! So, now it takes me a long, long time to take my pills each day b/c I have to take 8 in the morning and 10 at night. My surgeon said it's okay, just take it slow... like 10 min. between each total pill. Oh! And please learn from my experience -- don't ever take two capsules back to back. I did and they got stuck. Felt like two razor blades stuck in my stoma for 15 minutes slicing my insides. Shear pain!!! Good luck!!! :confused: