OfferRocker

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.

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. . . . No Flour Peanut Butter Cookies 1 c peanut butter (crunchy or creamy) ½ c Splenda ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 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. Calories 65; Fat 5g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 2; Fiber 1g; Protein 3g:) PS: I don't take credit for this recipe; a member of my support group provided it.

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.

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!

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?

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.

I use these! They're fantastic!!!! Where do you live. I'm in Denver, CO and I get mine at Safeway or at King Soopers. They are in the Soup area. Here's the stats: Chicken: Serving size 1 tsp; calories 15; total fat .5g; sodium 750mg; total carbohydrate 1g; Protein 1g. Ingredients: chicken meat including natural chicken juices, salt, sugar, corns syrup solids, chicken fat, hydrolyzed soy protein, dried whey, flavoring, disodium inosinate and guanylate, turmeric. Beef: erving size 1 tsp; calories 10; total fat (1% DV); total carbs 1g; protein 1g; sugars 1g Ingredients: roasted beef with concentrated beef stock, salt, hydrolyzed soy protein, corn syrup solids, sugar, flavoring (dried oregano, dried garlic, and spice extractives) Autolyzed yeast extract, dried whey, caramel color. WHEW! I hope you find them. I still enjoy them in my cooking but they had a good flavor when I was in my Clear liquids stage.

Gerbera--I'm glad you liked the sites. I have printed out several of the recipes so I can completely change my cooking habits. My husband has lost five pounds because of my recent changeand these new recipes have helped alot. Cooking Light magazine has some great ones too. Siyah--have you noticed that since your surgery you are cold more often? I have noticed this alot lately, however, I'm in Denver, Colorado and we've have four feet of snow in December. It's still laying out there on my lawn and we're expecting more this Friday. I have some great recipes for Protein shakes if anyone wants them. Let me know and I'll post them.

Kay, I really appreciated your post about your husband--that is wonderful that he is doing so well. I have finally realized that I was and may still be addicted to some foods, but your husband is right. "It sucks but you get over it. " You should put that on your signature page. Natalie, I keep a journal too but I don't count calories. My doc has us count carbs, but it all works out the same anyway. I'm having trouble getting my A** on the the eliptical and at 6 weeks, I'm supposed to be at 45 to 60 minutes per day of exercise, some of that being weight resistance! OMG! How much Protein grams per day are you all supposed to consume? Just curious---mine is 65 gms/day.

My doc says if you don't eat some type of protein every 3-4 hours your body goes into "starvation" mode and starts holding onto the fat since it doesn't know when it's next meal is. So he says eat five meals a day every 3-4 hours. He also says to have 75% of your diet be protein and 25% from carbs you get from fruits and vegetables. So far this has worked great for me. For example at one meal it would be 3 ounces of proteim with 1 ounce of veg/fruit. Does this sound like anyone else's doctor's advice?

Hi December bandsters, I found some great low carb, bariatric friendly recipes on two websites that you guys might like. One is BariatricEating.com and the other is BariatricBytes.com. Both sites have some wonderful recipes for everything from Protein shakes to real food. Take care and Happy New Year!!!!

Skinnymom---I think that's where your port is. From what I understand the muscles get sore having something foreign around/in them. I think it gets better as time goes by---at least mine has. I occassionally can feel it, but it's not like in the beginning.

Hey Steph--I read in my doctor's manual that you will eventually need a fill at about 6 weeks from the surgery. So maybe that's why things are going down so well. The swelling from the surgery has gone down and you don't have much restriction. I'm kinda nervous about my first fill because I feel the same way. No PB's or nothing getting stuck. It's nice because even my pills are going down great. I don't want that to end. We'll see what happens. Donna

Hey Eric--Congratulations on a successful surgery and your success at avoiding all those wonderful foods on Christmas. I know the feeling. I was banded on the 11th of this month and Christmas Eve was difficult. But I was able to puree some prime rib and I survived. Feels great to see the needle on the scale going down though, doesn't it? Denise-- Once you get to the mushie stage you won't feel hungry--at least that's how I feel. I can hardly look at chicken broth anymore. I'm still liking Protein shakes but don't have to drink those as much. Happy New Year everyone!!!!!!!!!!