OfferRocker

Hi Kym, Did you do well with your first fill? By that I mean was it hard to get used to the more restricted feeling? Are you on liquids for that day or the next? My first one is next Tuesday so I'm not sure what to expect. Have a great trip to MX.

I've never tried Equal---Just the Splenda. There are other sugar substitutes out there too. I'm going to be trying Nature's Crystals from bariatriceating.com with some of my low carb cookie recipes. I think it's made to bake with and is similar to Splenda. I believe it's made of Malitol--which can have a laxative affect. All the more reason to "eat just one" tee hee. Donna

Hi Doriana, By now you may have tried one. What do you think? I found them to be pretty filling.

Hi everyone , I was just banded on Dec 26 and I was wondering if it is normal to be more hungry than normal,(may be in my head,lol) and able to eat anything? I am trying to stick to everything I should but could eat a horse if I had a little ketchup,lol I am being good but just wondering if it is normal . Hi Jaqui----I just read your post about seeming to be more hungry after your surgery. About a week after my surgery I felt hungry too. I was craving so many things and it was around Christmas so there were so many goodies around. It was HELL!!! I would think it is very normal to still be hungry after the surgery whether it's head hunger or physical hunger. Hang in there! Are you on solids yet? That helped me---once I was able to get some dense Proteins in like chicken and beef (pureed), I didn't seem to crave things so much.

okiefamily---I did the same thing with pecans. I made some sugar free spiced nuts and ate almost all of them (about 1 1/2 cups). I was glad when my husband came home and had some. And you don't need a spanking--just a fill. I know what you mean about the restriction and Water intake. Right now I can get so much down with no problem. My first fill is on the 23rd so we'll see what happens. CONGRATULATIONS on your 3 pound loss. That's excellent!! Kaydot---My mom told me about Eucerin for Extra Dry Skin. She's says it's kinda greasy but she uses it all over--even on her face. I tried it while visiting her and it's great but haven't tried it on my face yet. She's uses it at night. The water thing has been a struggle for me too. However once I was told by my dietician that drinking more than 4 oz of water at time would not stretch out the pouch, then I've been much better. Again, I'm not sure how it will be after the first fill.

That's sounds good Fancy---I'll have to try that tomorrow! Thanks.

Chunkygirl----I burp quite often these days---and they're not soft, little ones either. Nothing else happens though--just air.

okiefamily--I know that feeling about having the munchies. I get them at night too when I'm watching TV. I keep hearing that drinking Water helps combat hunger so I keep trying that. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I can't believe how much of a mind thing this is too. Breaking old habits---I feel like I fight a battle constantly in my head --in fact my dogs think I'm nuts. I'll ask them to talk me through a craving. Of course they never answer but I kinda talk myself out of it. Lucky Girl---I'm glad you said something about dry skin. I've noticed my face being expecially dry. My hands are a close second. In my support group, a woman mentioned that it could be that we're not eating as much fat anymore so our skin is dryer. Made sense but who knows---I'm just tired of being flakey. I've also had some funky little pains here and there in my stomach area. I'm sure everything is just getting back to its normal position after the stomach has been pumped up and things moved around. Denise---I do something similar with my scale. It's digital but if I don't like what I see (which is ALWAYS), I get off and wait a few minutes and then get back on. As if it's gonna change! I keep reminding myself that before the surgery the numbers on the scale would get higher and higher. I'm happy that now they're not going up even if they stay the same for a while. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Denise---Are you weighing yourself at the same time of day? My weight fluctuates all day and salt really affects it. I think it's the most accurate when I weigh right when I get up in the morning (after I have pee'd of course). I've also heard to weigh only once a week but sometimes that is difficult. I have a hard time not getting on the scale every morning.

Gerbera---I didn't realize that there were different ways to measure glucose. Mine was 170 today and it's supposed to be at 100. Just a little frustrating. All I can think of is like ChubbyGirl said, our bodies have been drastically changed so it's confused. I'm worried that it's my elevated blood sugars that are "helping" me lose. When your glucose levels are high, my doc says that you "Pee out" about 500 calories a day. So once I get my blood sugars normal again, I'm afraid I'll start gaining. Or I'll quit losing.

"Testing the waters" has NOTHING to do with HUNGER....and EVERYTHING to do with old bad habits of overeating....the Dragons in the Stomach-cave are fearful of loosing THEIR control...." Jack---I love the way you put that! Those dragons can get pretty nasty!

Siyah---congratulations on the 18.4 pound loss. That’s fantastic! By the way, I think Colorado is supposed to get the tail end of your storm. We're bracing for bitter cold and a little snow to go with the several feet we got recently. You're right though--it is beautiful! <O:p</O:p Lucky Girl and Gerbera---I too have diabetes and I was wondering how your glucose levels have been since surgery. Did you notice any difference after your surgery? If you do take medication have you reduced it or are you still taking the same amount. The reason I ask is I'm trying to get mine leveled out with just one shot of insulin at night (per my doctor's orders) but that doesn't seem to be working. Thanks for any input you may have on this. <O:p></O:p> Gerbera---Isn’t it wonderful to have some much support from so many people that feel the same way that you do? I hope your blues have passed and you’re feeling better tonight. <O:p></O:p> Maurdan---I agree about getting more Protein through shakes. There are some Protein drinks that are only a few ounces and have 25 grams of protein with no carbs, fat, calories. You can get them at bariatriceating.com. They aren’t milk based. They’re a little tart but just a few ounces isn’t bad. They sure get your protein levels up quick! <O:p></O:p> <O:p></O:p> <O:p></O:p>

You're welcome, Seppi. I made some today after I posted the recipe and they were so easy. They help my craving for cookies!!!!

Hello everyone, I sampled one of these Cookies at my support group meeting and they were pretty good. I’m wondering if you could add Protein powder to this to kick up the protein. Hmm. . . . I posted it under the food section too. <O:p</O:p No Flour Peanut Butter Cookies<O:p></O:p> <O:p></O:p> 1 c peanut butter (crunchy or creamy) ½ c Splenda ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg <O:p></O:p> Mix first four ingredients well and add egg. Spoon onto baking sheet, (preferably not a stone because it will dry these out.) Bake at 350% for 10-12 minutes. Makes 12 – 3” cookies. <O:p></O:p> Calories 65; Fat 5g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 2; Fiber 1g; Protein 3g<O:p></O:p> P.S. This is not a recipe I came up with. A woman at my support group (Ginger) did so I'm giving her the credit.

Denise---Our doctors' views are similar too---mine is 75% Protein with 25% carbs (goods carbs from veggies but not starchy ones like potatoes). Mine strictly prohibits potatoes, rice, Pasta and popcorn. However, I did find a recipe on bariatricbytes.com for "mock popcorn." I guess you use pork rinds, butter flavored PAM and parmesian cheese. Not sure how those will taste but I'm gonna try it. Gerbera--thanks for the tuna morney recipe. I don't have any recipes other than tuna salad so this is a great help. I agree, it's nice to have this site to come to for information and support! Hisnhers---Welcome and best of luck! Siyah---great story. And great idea to write instead of thinking about the wine, etc. BabyGotBack---that's interesting that we are covered under a disability act. What does that mean? The restaurants are required by law to let us order from the children's menu? I was thinking that when I finally go out to dinner again, I'll just have to take 1/3 of it home. Steph C---Just look at it this way, when spring comes, your co-workers will see how much weight you have lost and they won't bring in all that stuff.

VABandster---I’m so excited for you! I do hope you have a safe and weather-free trip. Let me know how you feel after your fill. Conniesue---You’re doing awesome as well! I think that’s the hard part is exercising on a regular basis. I read that once you do something for 30 days, it because a habit. I’ve never had the habit of exercising---just smoking and eating. Luckily, now I don’t smoke and I have a great tool to help me with the eating. I think you’re awesome for exercising through the pain. I hope it gets better as you lose the weight. I’m hoping the same for my back and knees.

Hi Scorpio----I was just thinking . . . maybe your body just isn't liking the beef and stuff or having a problem handling it right now. What if you tried going back to mushies or pre-mushies like egg beaters, cottage cheese, refried beans and yogurt. Just an idea. My doc said even if you're not hungry you should eat some protein--especially in the morning since you haven't had anything to eat all night. What about some yogurt with some extra protein powder added? I hope things start going better for you.

Ibreham---I wish you the best of luck with your journey. You've come to a great place for support and excellent ideas. Take care!

Hey Conniesue---I heard you guys really got pounded and I'm not looking forward to the coming storm. Oh well, I have plenty of Protein around the house. I'm hoping my fill will help me feel fuller. I just keep slurping Water. Oh, by the way---I'm so excited. I WALKED FOR 30 MINUTES ON MY ELIPTICAL TODAY!!!!!!!! I haven't been able to do that EVER. Before my surgery, the most I could do was 15 minutes.

Steph C---No I'm on solids now. I no longer have to puree anything. I just have to take small bites. I eat five meals a day. Each meal should only be 4 oz---so that's 3 oz protein and 1 oz veggies. I'm needing a fill though--what about you?

I'm on the carb wagon with you all. I found some great low carb, bariatric friendly recipes at bariatricbytes.com. There were tons of them and most recipes listed the nutrition information (not all though). Best of luck to all!

jameza40---here are two more recipes. Peanut Brittle Protein shake *2 scoops vanilla protein powder *2 TBS sugar-free instant butterscotch pudding mix (dry) *1 TBS natural Peanut Butter (smooth or chunky) *8 oz. Water (or low-fat milk) *3-6 ice cubes Add all ingredients to blender, whip and serve. Calories 121; Carbs 7g; Protein (depends on your protein powder and whether you use milk or water); Fat 8g; Fiber 1g The Hulk Protein Shake *2 scoops vanilla protein powder *1 1/2 TBS sugar-free pistachio pudding mix (dry) *1 mint leaf or a few drops peppermint extract (optional) *8 oz cold water (or low fat milk) *3-5 ice cubes Add all ingredients to blender, blend, and pour into cup. Calories 19; Carbs 5g; Protein (depends on your protein powder and whether you use milk or water; Fat 0g; Figer 0g.

You got it, Jess: Here's a few: Peanut Butter Cup Protein shake Recipe: *2 scoops chocolate Protein powder (or vanilla protein powder + 1tsp cocoa powder *1 TBS natural peanut butter (smooth or chunky) *8 oz of Water (or low-fat milk) *3-5 ice cubes Add all ingredients to blender; whip and serve. Calories 95; Carbs 3g; Protein 4g (depending on protein power or if you use milk); Fiber 1g Cinnamon Roll Protein Shake Recipe 2 scoops vanilla protein powder 1TBSP sugar-free instant vanilla pudding 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp imitation vanilla (or 1/4 tsp extract) 1 packet of Splenda 1 few dashes of butter flavor sprinkles or butter-flavor extract 8 oz. of water (or low-fat milk) 3-5 ice cubes Add all ingredients to blender, whip and serve Calories 25; Carbs 5g; Protein (depends on the powder used and if use milk or water) I have some more but I can't find them right now. I'll keep looking. P.S. These are recipes I found on various websites---I do not claim to be the creator!!

Hi Carlene---thanks for the snopes idea. However, I didn't say it was true---I thought it was interesting and I welcome anyone's comments on this. My sister sent this to me and I was posting it to get anyone's ideas or reactions. Did you go to snopes and check it out? Even if it's not true, it still helps ME to drink my water and avoid diet soda.

I decided not to post this---don't want anyone to get the wrong idea.