minimeme

Tilapia Rustique at La Madeleine Cafe. It is tilapia sauted in chardonnay wine with finely chopped bell peppers and garlic. It normally comes with a side of rice pilaf, but I asked to substitute some steamed broccolli. It tastes wonderful and is very easy on my banded stomach. Under 300 calories and big enough to eat at least twice.

This is just one bunch of claims for the surgery, there are more. But I guess this thread has turned into how wrong I am. I know what I am talking about, hell I lived it. I refuse to have people tell me I am wrong about my own life so I wont answer any more accusations about how negative I am or how wrong I am or anything of the kind. The OP wanted to know what each of us wish we would have known prior to banding. I answered. The end.

I am a fan of the Starbucks Vivanno, love the banana chocolate. El Pollo Campero has Beans they call Campero beans. They taste so much better than most refriend beans. But in a pinch I have ordered some refriend black beans along with a side of guacamole without chips. When I eat chinese, I usually get a side of steamed veggies instead of rice. Panda Express has a childs dish with one entre and you can have veggies instead of rice. Yesterday I ate PF Changs lunch. I ordered their salmon lunch, hold the rice and a side of steamed spinach. It came with a bowl of egg drop Soup so I boxed the lunch for dinner.

I disagree with the poster who told you that you would not be sore after surgery. I hurt. Not just a little, it was very painful for me. As I said in another post, I WISH someone would have told me that there MIGHT me a chance that I would hurt so badly. I could have prepared for it mentally. It took me by surprise.

I am really curious and am waiting for a bandster to try them. Wont be me though because I am afraid after the issue I had with greenbeans. Fibrous food can be difficult for some banded people.

LOL @ Apples! Well, I checked my posts and I am guilty of answering a question in the teens section about eating out. Oh the horrors. But in my defense, I usually just hit the "new posts" like hummingbird. I promise to be more mindful and respectful in the future.

I found this recipe on a blog and thought of this thread.... theworldaccordingtoeggface: Turtle Dip & Some Lovin' Shelly's Turtle Protein Dip 3 oz. Fage Greek Yogurt (I use 2%) 2 Tablespoons sugar free Caramel Sauce Topping (Smucker's) 1 scoop chocolate Protein powder 1-2 Tablespoons Pecans, chopped Mix together till thoroughly combined. Serve with banana slices, strawberries, apple slices, protein cake cubes for dipping. If you are early on... skip the pecans.

I can only answer for me, but being 200 is much better than being 350 with my health issues. During lupus episodes, I was walking with a cane. I couldnt get off a puclic toilet by myself if it wasnt one of the higher handicapped ones. So, for me, being able to get around during my worst spells is my goal. I dont care if I loose all of my extra weight or just some of it as long as I can get around unassisted. Hope this helps you to understand why someone might still have surgery even if they dont make it to a size 6.

This thread is specific. What you wish people would have told you before you were banded. I am saying from my very own opinion what I WISH someone would have told me. The amount of pain shocked me. Yes, pain is relative and everyone is different. But no one, but no one, told me it might be as painful as it was. I wish someone would have told me it might be. The amount paid by my insurance shocked me. I do not know of any complications during surgery. The huge extras were not doctors fees, they were hospital incidentals. How in the world I used over $140K in incidentals when I was only in there a couple of hours is beyond belief. And I did chew, chew, chew, chew, chew my 2 green beans as was evident when they came up. They are still very fibrous and may cause trouble, as I learned the hard way. So before you accuse me of being negative and not being able to see the positive, please understand why I am answering specificly to what was asked. If someone started a thread of all the good things you band has done, I would have listed the things I love, but that isnt want the poster asked for.

Sweetie, celery and peas are very hard for someone with a band if they are already having issues. They are both very fibrous. Carrot sticks and broccoli tips would be easier for you. From the lapband site: Common Problem Foods Some foods have difficulty passing through the stomach opening created by the LAP-BAND^® System and may cause blockage. These include: dry meat shrimp untoasted or doughy bread rice Peanut Butter fibrous vegetables like corn, asparagus, and celery nuts greasy or fried food membrane of citrus fruits

I wish someone would have told me how much I might hurt after surgery. It was very, very painful for me. I wish someone would have told me that my insurance might be billed close to $200,000. While my out of pocket didnt increase, it does take away from my life time limit. I am a long term employee who will probably be in my job until I retire and there is a very good chance I will run out of my health benefits prior to retiring. I wish someone would have told me how scary and painful it is when food gets stuck. I have only had one episode which resolved by my throwing up 2 greenbeans, but for the short time it was stuck it was very frightening. My doctor did stress this is only a tool and that people can gain their weight back. They also did speak about how many people only loose a fraction of their needed weight with the band. Most wont loose 100% of the extra weight like the bypass and sleeve patients do. I am thankful they were honest about it.

I am putting a stamp on my ass and mailing myself to hummingbirds place.

The best thing I bought post surgery during recovery was sugar free jello pops. I cant tell you how those cold things helped my sore stomach.

I have some chocolate granola cereal I eat with chocolate almond milk when I get a craving for chocolate and/or crunchy sweet. If you are able to control potions, it is good for an occasional snack. But if you are still having problems with portions, buying a single candy bar might be a better choice. But the granola is really, really good and satisfying.

I love the cold weather. My thermostat is set at 55-60.:thumbup: Living in hell, I mean texas, I have to enjoy the cold weather for the few days it is here.

I have lupus and after each episode it became harder and harder to get around. I was afraid there would come a day when I couldnt get out of bed. Being overweight makes it so much more difficult. I actually am one of the few people who never hated being overweight. I think I look just fine. And it helps to keep away the insincere people.

I am officially more than half way to goal. A quick look on this thread and it seems most are half way there, whether they needed to loose 80 or 180 lbs. I guess the first 3 months or so are the honeymoon period where it just comes of maybe? Hope everyone is healthy and happy. Keep working towards your goals and keep your faith.

Has anyone tried the Bloomen brand of chewable prenatal Vitamins? I ordered some and am now wondering if a prenatal is alright for me. My sister-in-law recommended prenatal due to hair and nail issues. They are citrus ginger which sounds much better than the artificially strawberry, watermellon, or orange things I have tried. The whole gummy bear Vitamin is too much like kiddy candy for me. Prenatal Vitamins | Chewable Prenatal Vitamins - Bloomen Nutrition

I think you should find people who are at least 2 years out from banding to see how "successful" they are. My BMI was over 50 and I have lost a great deal of weight. But that doesnt mean I am successful. Success, for me at least, comes after maintaining for some time. There are days when I wish I would have looked harder at the sleeve. It seems it would be a much easier lifestyle. But then again, I have no experience to draw from on this.

So women are valued for their attractiveness to men. Nothing new there. It goes on right here on this very board, even amongst us women.

I use Tangerine, but there are several. Here is a screen shot of the Tangerine...

I have a program that makes play lists for me. It is a beats-per-minute counter. I put in my ramp up time, my max time and then my ramp down time and it makes a play lists to fit it.

This is the only one I belong to and I have to say from reading some of the threads on this forum (especially in the rant and rave section), some are obviously bouncing off the walls on the internet. Posting on this forum has got to be one of the most mentally and emotionally taxing I have ever participated in. The trade off is information I need. I see a lot of control issues being played out on the forum.

I had an uncle years ago who was an alcoholic. When he finally decided to stop drinking, he started gambling. He actually became a bookie and would sit in front of 4 TVs watching all the games with a bank of telephones (this was pre-cell phone days). He use to brag how he wasnt truly an alcoholic because he was able to give it up. Even at my early age I recall thinking he didnt give up anything, he simply switched vices. food has been my vice for years. All of my family is slim, but most have alcohol or drug addiction issues. Mine was always food. It has worried me some that I might just pick up a different vice, rather than truly give up over eating. Luckily so far I have been able to control my behavior and exercise (at least for now) seems to be my drug of choice. Has anyone else had any issues with picking up another bad vice post obesity surgery?

yeah, my goal is 175 and I am 5' 10". So my BMI would be 25.1. I was 135 in high school but I just dont want to be that thin again.