Search the Community

I was never told to avoid tea - and thank goodnesss, because I'm a tea-aholic!! My favorite is Constant Comment, which I drink hot first thing in the morning with my Vitamins, etc. Regular tea at lunch time is the norm for me, but I've been trying to stick with Water after that. I also keep a bottle of water on the bedside table and drink from it if I wake up at night. I've only had a few bites of Pasta since surgery. I preferred to eat the meat I had fixed with it instead. I tried a small bite of a roll at dinner the other night and felt like I'd eaten a rock. So I'm just going to stay away from bread - as others have said these are just empty calories for us. I'd much rather fill my sleeve with Protein or veggies.

I was on Clear liquids for the day of surgery and the day after and then moved to full liquids for the next 2 weeks. Anything that pours off a spoon (no chunks) - yogurt, pudding, soup, smoothies, Jello, Protein drinks. Your dr's office should be giving you some guidance and hopefully access to a nutritionist. Good luck.

I was the same way. Once I started soft Proteins everything changed. Only one egg or only a portion of pouch of flavored tuna............

good for you. . . in 3 months i only lost 15 lbs and didn't much like that either. . . spoke to my doctor who suggested that maybe mix things up a bit and the weight would come off quicker. . . so i stepped up on the eliptical and treadmill a bit and a bit more Protein shakes and less carbs. . . sure enough, there it went. . . good luck to you!

The best time is when you will do it. As noted, with all of the conflicting research of varying quality, it's hard to tell what time is better, if any at all, or if that view will change over time. Further, what research there is on exercise is rarely focused on us - the obese and recovering obese, so there is another variable that throws everything into question. Exercising at a sub-optimal time is better than not exercising at the optimal time. This is somewhat similar to my advice on protein drinks - while whey isolate is generally considered to be the most available and absorbable form, the one that you will drink is better than the best thing out there that you won't drink (with the possible exception of Genepro, which only seems to be good for making expensive urine.)

Alice, Stay strong on this one. Do NOT push your sleeve to handle more than your doctor allows right now. You do not want a leak. Work on getting in your fluids. They are more important than Protein this early post-op, but my doctor had me counting my shakes/soups as part of my liquid intake until I was back on mushy foods. If you must chew, chew on ice or a SF popsicle (if it's allowed by your doc). You obviously know that it's head hunger since you're full. Just hang on. This stage will be over soon and you'll look back with pride that you made it through. Good luck! I know you can do it!!

I had dry heaves after my surgery Feb 7th. I had to stay overnight in the hospital until late the next day. It wasn't fun. It did go away and they said mine was from anesthesia. I was so grateful to be in the hosp because they gave me broth,protein jello and juice. It helped me a lot having my first meals in the hosp. The nausea is miserable and it takes awhile to get any appetite.

Protein drinks or you can buy those little cans of tuna and eat before class.

For times like this, I have a Slimfast or protein shake ready.

I have lost 22lbs since my surgery almost 6 weeks ago but haven't lost anything of significance since week 4. I went away for 12 days to Greece in week 3 and although I ate very little and walked for miles, I only lost 4lbs while we were away and nothing since then. I was quite depressed today about my weight and this operation. I think I am going to fail at it Reason being, I have realised that I can eat whatever I want, it just takes a lot longer to do it, this is shocking and sad to me. For instance, I can make a sandwich, eat a third, wait half an hour or a bit longer, then carry on eating, depressing. This seems to apply to any food except possibly meat. I realised that I could easily eat more than 1200 calories just by eating every hour rather than having a meal then feeling satisfied and not eating again for at least three hours. I am so mixed up and confused about this, and so sad. I am not eating out of hunger as I haven't actually felt the hunger yet, just a vague empty feeling now and again. I haven't lost any weight at all in a week, this is very telling for me. I have realised I no longer have that bad restriction. Its as though my stomach has suddenly got bigger overnight, I tested it with some rice and chilli and was able to eat 5 dessert spoons before I felt ill. I literally couldn't eat another bite at first when the restriction kicked in, now I can and its only slightly uncomfortable, nowhere near the pain threshold I had previously, this is worrying to me. On the one hand its great that I can eat a little more but on the other, its a scary, and very slippy slope. Today we had a bbq and I I was very surprised to find that I could eat 4 beautiful juicy prawns and a full sausage without the full feeling kicking in. When we last had a bbq a couple of weeks ago, I only ate half a sausage and a quarter of a burger. I have definitely healed a bit more in my stomach area which must be why I can eat more. I'm making a conscious effort to drink at least 2 litres/ 8 glasses of liquids a day and I have at least 60 grams of protein every day as well. I am not exercising much at the moment, just taking a daily walk. From reading lots of posts, hundreds of people on the internet have all lost at least 100lbs (7 stone) over a year to 18 months. Maybe I am judging it a bit too quick and my body is still adjusting to the weight loss but it is so depressing to me that I could fail. I do understand that I could be one of the slow losers, I do understand that I could be in a stall. I really need to get my act together, it can't be just me that it doesn't work for! P.s sorry for the pity party

Looks like you did a great job, probably could make them a tad bit larger. My problem is mine are usually too large. I have the option on my software to go from in to pixels. Maybe play with it for size, but I think you're doing great. Nice looking family too.

I have been on a Protein shake and raw vegetables diet for 2 months I added chicken and fish to my diet and was fine. It's a struggle but you will be fine you can do it Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Funnily enough I've had the same experience as Mac but with a band and presumably without the ghrelin cut. I used to eat healthy anyway, I've always eaten plenty of fresh fruit and veg and I'm a very good cook, bit of a gourmet in fact. I'm feeding a family and I would never ever have let my kids eat the way I did. So the family diet was very healthy and actually has not had to change one single bit since I was banded. What we ate as a family was entirely appropriate - lean Protein, lots of vegetables, fruit and wholegrain carbs, low fat dairy. I just used to eat way too much junk food on top of it - white carbs for me mainly. I liked my share of McDonalds, and the fish and chips etc (have never cared for pizza, KFC or pretend healthy food like Subway) but Cookies, cakes, rich coffees, muffins, donuts, I loaded up on that stuff during the day when the kids were at school. Now I just plain dont like them. They disgust me. The stench in McDonalds makes me sick. Seeing people eat it is revolting. Seeing anybody unbanded eating is a bit revolting actually - they literally STUFF themselves - even my girlfriends at girls night. I just think whoa, slow down!! My tastes definitely changed. I'm sure there's hormones behind it but I think its just that eventually habit does take over. It doesnt happen in six weeks but after four years with a band, I dont think I'd revert quickly to old ways thoug I'm sure I probably would slide a bit over time.

I'm drinking the EAS shakes, they have high proteins, but yeah I'm starving too

I think most of us have had this same thought (many, many times)! Simply weigh the options and make the choice that is best for YOU. I know that I was doing so well on my 4 week pre-op protein shake diet and almost called and cancelled my surgery. My surgery was 11 weeks ago and I am so thankful that I went through with it. There are days that I get frustrated but the results are amazing. I feel better than ever....and I can't wait for all of the fun activities I can be involved in next summer. No more watchiing from the sidelines for me! Good luck and have faith in your decision!

Are you allowed pudding during this time? If so you could make the following dessert: Cool Whip Pudding Introduction It comes out sort of like mousse! Minutes to Prepare: 5 Number of Servings: 8 Ingredients Any Flavor - 4 serving size - sugar free Fat Free Jell-O Pudding 8 oz Container of Cool Whip Free 1 - Cup of FF Milk (or HEB mootopia) which has Protein Directions Beat with electric beater for 2 minutes. Put in the refrigerator for at least two hours. I put mine in individual 1/2 cup serving containers that come with lids so I can take them in my lunch for work. Keeps well for a week; I am thinking about trying to freeze some too. Number of Servings: 8

Slow losers unite! I was banded Dec 4. Lost about 14 pounds first 10 days. in the past 6 weeks... only 10 more. i bounce up and down all week long. Heck, all month long. Up a pound, down .6, up .2, down a pound. And so on. Stall? Maybe. but the net effect is I'm losing. I have tried several different things - up calories, down calories, up cardio, down weights, up Water, up Protein, just about every combination out there. There is no rhyme or reason to my fat butt. I just had to tell myself this morning as I was adding up last month's loses that even if I lose "only 6 pounds a month", I will still be down 80 pounds at the one year mark. I'll take it!

It hasn't been that bad for me either. My diet it liquid for today the clear liquids tomorrow and sunday. I ve been sipping on 16oz of protein in the morn a can of lite soup mostly tomato for mid afternoon and then sipping on another 8 oz shake. I have jello and icees and broth but really don't use them. I do drink water and i sugar free mints i suck on. My worst fear right now is that I have been doing this for 2 weeks and not have any sucess. My scale only goes to 350 and I was 355 at my last dr appointment and it still says error. So frustrated.

I've been cleared for the following items which were under the heading in my handout, "with surgeon's approval" -- - proetein liquid supplements (1000 calores per day) - skim, 1% or soy milk mixed with whey or soy Protein powders (limited to 20 gm protein/serving) - fat free cream Soups - fat free, plain yogurts or plain, non-fat Greek yogurt I have a good relationship with my dietician and she seems to advocate common sense over strict rules. Like, 3 days before surgery nothing but Clear liquids. But before, no need to torture oneself. She also said non-starchy greens were okay up to a week before surgery as long as they were chewed well. She doesn't like the idea of Jello unless you let it practically melt before swallowing. With this in mind, can someone recommend specific products? Grocery stores and shopping are alien to me and all I have is me. ;( Like, any particular brands of Soup? Yogurt? Not a big fan of plain yogurt, but I guess when you're starving, it serves its purpose. She also recommended throwing some scrambled egg whites in broth and mixing well. And Vitamins. The woman at unjury was very nice. She threw in samples of chewable multi-vitamins, Calcium citrate plus and B-12. How long does one have to take chewables? What is recommended other than a multi-Vitamin? What is recommended when chewables are no longer needed, or does that day ever come? Sorry if a lot of this info is readily available and I know I've seen most of this discussed somewhere or other, but frankly I don't remember where or all the info - I was on brain overload. Many thanks for thoughts and recommendations. Time is short, diet starts 10/22.

When you go into the Reply box down below you will see the "More Reply Options" tab, click that and you can download pictures from any of your galleries. Hope that helps.

Hello! Thought I'd share a find (& my Dr. Recommended) Ostrim snack sticks. They are individually packaged, including a variety of favors! My favorite s pepper but the maple sugar turkey sticks are ideal for breakfast. HIGH Protein - 14 grams, low fat - 3 grams, and all natural. Definitely a good source of protein for on the go or days you just don't feel...You can purchase in health stores but as always...amazon is cheaper! Enjoy VS'S!

Do what works for you. I think the most they stress is getting in the Protein, at least 60 grams. However you can count that. I do a little of both - eating a balanced meal and tallying up my caloric intake. I don't do a food diary everyday. I sometimes take a typical day and enter it in to see how I did. It helps me make choices and know what I'm eating. I do try to get the protein in and try to judge how much I've eaten of it. I also try to eat my hard Proteins first and then if still hungry eat the other items on my plate. It works for me and I don't feel consumed with counting calories and deciding what to eat. Good luck to you.

The morning of July 12, 2007. The day was finally here. My sister Kim and sister-in-law Sandy arrived by 4:30 to take me to the hospital. I was moaning and complaining because I could not have any water. I drink lots of water. How was I going to go until the next day after a swallow test to get some kind of drink. Kim and Sandy had little sympathy for me and just encouraged me to look at the big picture. Think of the things to come. Everything would be different and better. We arrived at the hospital by 5:45am. They took me back immediately to prep me for surgery. I got all of the questions asked again that I had answered at least twice, but I guess I gave them the right answers because they hooked my up with an IV and started giving me anti nausea drugs. I do not like to throw up so I did not argue with them at all. They decided I was all ready to go so my family could come back and stay with me till they took me. Well here came Kim threw the curtain and with her was Paulene Morrow. Paulene and I have talked about these weight loss surgeries for a long time, but Paulene beat me to it by having gastric by-pass surgery about 3 years ago. She has supported me in trying to get this day to come for a long time. I was so glad to see her. I knew she knew what I had to look forward to. We talked as fast as we could as she answered every question I threw at her. She is a special lady and I will never forget her coming to support me. She stayed awhile and then went back to surgery waiting room and sent Sandy back to be with Kim and I until time to go. Dr. Malley came in for a few minutes and told us what was to come. He said I would be back there an hour to an hour and a half. He left and the nurse came in and gave me a shot in the belly to prevent blood clots and we were off down the hall to the surgery wing. Kim and Sandy headed back to the waiting room right at 7:30. We started right on time. I arrived in the "holding room" and it was sooooo cold. I am never cold, but these people work in an area that reminded me of working at the locker in Adrian. It was very bright and these were people milling all around me. They said that there were 10 surgeries starting at 7:30 so there were beds all around with other people waiting to go in also. A man came up to me and intoducted himself. I told him that I remembered him. He was the antithesioligist, and that was it. It was like lights out. My next memory was someone calling my name asking if I could hear them. I started trying to wake up and get up. Of course they did not let me get up, but he stood right there and just kept talking to me and asking me questions. I can remember looking at the clock right in front of me. It was 9:25! Wow, it was over. Really over. The guy told me his name was Jose and he would be right there with me for awhile. All of a sudden I thought "Oh my Goodness. What have I done. This hurts so bad!" And immediately Jose ask how bad my pain was between a 1 and a 10. I said at least 8! He immediately gave me a shot. He just kept talking to me. In just a few minutes he ask about the pain again. I said at least 8! So he gave me another shot. He then ask me about Adrian. How big was it? How long I had lived there? How big is your family? I was trying to take deep breaths, cause that seemed to help. Then he ask about the pain. I knew if was a little better, so I said 5. Ok, I got another shot. Then we talked about my work. We talked about Miami, where he was from, we talked about the weather. I just know he stayed right there with me and made me think of something else. I was finally relaxing and I realized that my jaws were clinched tight. I went back to trying to remember to take deep breaths and relax. You know it is hard to remember everything when you are first coming out from such a deep deep sleep. Anyway, Jose wants to know how is the pain. I realize it is much better this time, so I say 3. Good, I get another shot. Finally that was the one I had been looking for. I completly relaxed. The pain was vertually gone and I was breathly normally it seemed. We stayed there in recovery until about 10:00. Jose was great. He just stayed right there with me and talked about everything. I remember that he just seemed fasinated with the small town I was from. I don't know if he really was, or if he was doing his job really well, but he had a very relaxing effect on me. And he even took me upstairs to my room and got me moved to the regular bed before he was off to help someone else come to without too much pain. When the nurse came to help him get me settled into the bed, I looked at her and she looked at me. We both said we knew each other. Then she says "My Post Office Lady". Yes, she was from Raymore and I had sold her stamps for years! Small world. She would be the RN in charge of my wing of the hospital. Also right there was Kim, Sandy, and Paulene. I feel so lucky to have such love and support. I am blessed! I just layed there and tried to talk to them for a while. I had to really try to concentrate hard to stay awake and keep my train of thought. After a little while, they decided to go out to lunch and told me to sleep. I guess I did, because I don't remember too much till mid afternoon. I know they kept coming in and giving me meds and checking my blood pressure and temperature. But finally I told Kim I thought it was time to get up. Of course there was not a nurse to be found, so she said she knew how to unplug me. And we did it on our own. I got up really slowly, but had no problem. Not even much pain in my belly. I had been told that it was so important to get up and start walking as much and as soon as posible. So we walked around one of those squares in the hospital. I went to the bathroom for the first time and headed back to bed. I was ready to be there. I dosed a little more and then got Kim to walk me one more time and sent them home. I felt fine there. I knew I had figured out how to get myself set up in bed (cause my bad just could not lay but so long), and I had the magic button to call a nurse. The staff there was very nice, but they were so short staffed that they were running themselves ragged. Because no one seemed to have time to walk me, I would just stand up beside my bed and walk in place. It helped the gas pains move in my belly and it helped my back more. I could not have anything at all to drink, not even ice chips, so I had really bad dry mouth. About drove me crazy. But, whatever it takes is my motto, so I survived. About 9:00 that night at male nurse came into my room and I knew him! He is the husband of one of the mail carriers at my Post Office. Turns out he was in charge of that floor of the hospital, and he asked what I needed. I told him I wanted to walk and in about 1 minute there was a nurse there to walk me. We walked around the squares 2 times and she gave me meds and I went to sleep for a couple of hours. I woke up and by 1:00 I had to get out of that bed again. The room was like a cave and I wanted out! Anyway they came and got me, took me on a walk, and got me a chair to set out in the hall by their station for a couple of hours. That helped so much. They would visit with me, and just made the time pass. I went back to my room and slept till about 7:00 and then got started getting ready to go downstairs to x-ray for my swallow test. There were 3 of us who were banned that day, and we went down together. We drank a little barium, and all passed, so we could have a drink! Thank God! Ice water and chicken broth never tasted so good. July 13, 2007 My first day home. Sandy brought me home from the hospital. We got here about 11:30. Karen had just come for lunch, so I got to visit with her. Sandy took my prescriptions up town and I just kind of sat around. I was having some gas pain, so I took some of the pain medicine as soon as it got here. Mother came over, as her and Christy were going to spend a couple of nights with me, in case I needed anything. I just walked in the house that day. I ate chicken broth and a little jello, but my favorite was sugar free pop cycles. My mouth and throat was still dry. About time to go to bed, the gas pains got much worse. I took the recommended gas x tablets, but they did not touch it. Mother suggested liquid Mylanta. At that point, I would have tryed most anything. I was so tired and I did not like that kind of pain. Anyway, I took a sip and immediately it let up. I took the second sip and I went to bed. I had already taken the pain medicine, so I was good to go to sleep. I was only up one time all night to go to the bathroom and I slept till 9:00. I felt great Saturday, July 14th. Slept great last night. Did not get up till 9:00. Had a shower. That was a real treat. Had to keep the incisions dry as possible, but it all worked out ok. I had chicken broth and jello for breakfast and had the same for lunch. I don't know what I would have done without my SF Popcycles. My supper was a chocolate potein shake. It does not take anything to fill me up and I stop as soon as I feel the least bit full. I lost one pound! I sent Mother and Chris home to their own beds. I was doing just fine. Sunday, July 15th. Didn't sleep as good last night. Kinda of restless. I have not gone back to taking my sleep apnea medicine. Wondering if that is the problem with sleeping. I am using the CPAP machine but not the pills. I have not taken any more diabetes pills. I have only taken one of the two high blood pressure pills I usually take and I have not taken my premarin or asthma medicine. Going to keep an eye on my blood pressure and see how it goes. Lost 2 pounds! Had diarehea today. Monday, July 16th. Still did not sleep. I think I will go back to taking the sleep apnea pill. Otherwise, I feel pretty good. Awfully tired, but still trying to walk as much as possible. Have to walk outside in the evening, because of the humidy. Lost 3 pounds today. Probably from the runs yesterday. Tuesday, July 17th. Today was a rough one. Very tired and even kind of week. Doctor told me to try some creamy soups and runny mashed potatoes. Had Cambells Soup at Hand, the creamy chicken. It tasted soooo good! First thing that really seemed to have a taste. That was for lunch. For supper I tried that runny mashed potatoe. What a mistake. I baked a small potato and mashed it up really well with chicken broth. I made sure it was really runny. Then I added a couple of tablespoons of jar chicken gravy. I thought that would just make it runnier. I ate about half of the potato and all of a sudden I had such a pain that I cannot decribe it. It was between my breasts and it ran from front to back. I thought I must be having a heart attack. I knew better, but I just wanted to best describe the pain. I immediately knew something was stuck and since I had only at that potato, I know that was it. I walked and walked. That is what they tell you to do. I walked inside, then I walked outside. I walked to Mother's, rested a few minutes, then Christy walked with me up the street and I walked her home and it still did not let up. I went inside and drank a bunch of water, thinking I could wash it on threw. That did not help. I started coughing up this slimy stuff. Thought I was going to throw it up, but I did not do that. I went back outside to walk and I got about to the end of the driveway and I coughed really hard and up came a big hunk of that slimmy stuff and all of a sudden the pain was gone. I guess it moved on through somehow. Don't know how that worked, but I did not care. I was just relieved for the pain to be gone. I will not eat anything like a potato again any time soon. I lost 1 lbs today. Wednesday, July 18th, Took my sleep apnea pill last night and I slept much better. Guess that is not a pill I can go off of yet. I went to see Nurse Laura to get my blood pressure checked. It was 130 over 72. Great! My legs started hurting bad today. They felt like they do when I have worked on them for 8 hours. I had not been on them that much. Sandy and the doctor told me that not taking the Premarin could do that so I went back to taking the Premarin this evening. I lost 2 lbs. today! Thursday, July 19th, Very tired today. Just can't seem to get any lasting energy. But I am trying to walk as much as posible. Legs and joints were a little better today. Lost 1 lbs today. Friday, July 20th, Wendy took Mother and me to see Dr Malley today. He was very pleased with my progress. One of my incisions was not healed. Had to leave on the steri strips. Was concerned about my lack of energy. He told me that I needed to take an extra week off of work. Not to go back until August 6th. I was to get back with him later to get any work restrictions that he felt I needed to have. We scheduled my next 3 appointments to start my fills in the band. This will restrict my stomach more so that I will not get hungry and I will feel full sooner. These start the end of August and are every two weeks after that till I have 3 fills. We left the doctors office and I called the Post Office to tell my boss that I would not be back for another week. He said that was not acceptable. I had to come back. I told him that I had new FMLA papers that said I could not come back before August 6th. He told me to call my doctor and tell him I had to go back to work and for the doctor to write up any restrictions I would have standing or lifting. He just would not listen to me at all. I hung up in tears and called Karen Grimes to ask who I should call to make a complaint. She gave the the number to Labor at the main Post Office. After I told them my story, they gave me the number of the Midwest Area FMLA coordinator. That man told me that I could not go back to work without the doctors approval no matter what my boss said. He was going to call my boss. Don't know if he did,cause I never heard from Toby (the PostMaster) again. Lost 1 lb. We went out to Applebee's for lunch. Had a roast chicken breast and penne meal. It tasted so good, but I could only eat 2 little strips of the chicken and 5 penne noodles. I guess I will get really good with the doggie bag. I had two more meals with what I brought home. Saturday July 21st, Went to Clinton with Mother and Chris. Belle was in a baby contest in a large air condioned building there. I got to enjoy seeing her and I got to do my walking in a nice big air conditioned room. That was a treat. We ate at Country Kitchen and had Alaskan Cod with Cottage Cheese. Once again I brought home that doggie bag and had fish for another meal. Lost 1 lbs. I drove for the first time. Sunday July 22nd, Tired today. It seems to be a big deal to get up and go somewhere. I still am getting so tired so fast. I am trying to eat all the protein I can and walk. Went to Dan and Sandy's for a surprise Anniversary Party. I really enjoyed it, but I was really tuckered out by the time we got home. I lost 1 lb. That makes 14 since my surgery 10 days ago! Monday July 23rd, Went to Butler. Did a little WalMart trip and went to Sonic. I had not had my Sonic Route 44 Ice Tea with extra ice for too long! That made me one happy camper. But bad news was that I had gained 1 lb. Why that happened I do not know. Tuesday July 24th, Mother made Salsa for John and Amanda. I sat at the kitchen table and chopped up tomatoes and cleaned peppers and garlic. It took much longer than usual, but we got it done. Did not lose any weight. Wednesday July 25th, I am beside myself. I gained 2 pounds! What was wrong? I have not ate anymore than I had been. Most was the exact same thing I had been eating. I got on the internet and talked to my new friends at lap-bandtalk.com. They assured me that that had happened to many of them. That it was your body reacting to the changes that were happening. Also had I been to the bathroom lately? Thought about that and no. Not since Sunday. Could that be the problem? Thursday July 26th, I got up and went straight to the bathroom to do my thing. And yes, I lost that 2 lbs. back. Thank goodness. This can be very stressful when I want it to work steady and FAST! This is diffenently not an easy way out. You still cannot eat much and as for me, I still think about food all of the time. I imagine that going back to work will help that as I will be so busy that I will not have time to think about food constantly. Some people say that they cannot watch TV because the commericals for food just drive them crazy. I even still watch the Food Network all of the time. Maybe I am a little nutso, but I still enjoy it and I know I want to go to Applebees and have that new shrimp salad thing they are advertizing! Friday July 27th, Very quiet day. Still no weight loss. I am getting kind of discouraged. I am not eating anymore. I talked to Nicki at the doctors office and she assured me that it was ok. My body is just trying to adjust to all of the changes happening. It has a natural reaction to these strict diets and sometimes it just latches on to itself and fights to keep that fat. Well the body might as well give it up, cause me and my new friend, my band, are not going to give in this time or even the next. This time I AM going to lose this weight and feel better and most of all be able to live my life like normal people! I am working on finding a name for the band. Lots of my new friends who have had lap band surgery tell me that they have named their band, because they are thinking about it so much. So, I am thinking of the best name I can come up with to talk about my new friend and one I will have around the rest of my life. Saturday July 28th, Well it was the day to finally get out and walk among the peoples. My nephew Justin has a new baby girl, so great grandma, Aunt Christy, and Aunt Patti went baby shopping. And then I wanted to buy me a new grill to use in the house for my meats. So I got that and we did WalMart too. I was exhausted. I did not lose any weight and I could not sleep last night. Sunday July 29th, Did not sleep well at all. I have had a short nap this morning, but have not done or accomplished anything. Did not lose or gain any weight. I cannot believe as much as I walked yesterday, that I did not lose, but I didn't. Chin up! Tuesday July 31st, Yesterday was a blah day. No changes. Today I have done laundry and started trying to make me a journal to start charting what I eat and what I plan to eat, so I can plan ahead. I know when I go back to work I will have to be organized and have my meals all planned out with quick access. This is harder than I thought it would be.

Hows everyone doing? Is anybody at their goal weight? If so what is your calorie intake? What about carbs, fats, protein intake? What is your height and weight?

Chicken Cordon Bleu Wonton Cupcakes Yield: 12 cupcakes Ingredients: 12 oz (2 ½ cups) cooked diced or shredded chicken breast (I used grilled and diced) 3 oz thinly sliced deli ham, chopped (I used Hillshire Farm Deli Select Ultra Thin Brown Sugar Ham) 8 wedges of The Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese Wedges, chopped 1 teaspoon mustard (I used French’s Yellow Mustard) 24 wonton wrappers 6 slices 2% Swiss Cheese, each cut into 4 equal pieces 0.75 oz seasoned croutons, crushed (I just put mine in a baggie and smushed them by hand until I had some chunks and some crumbs) Directions: Pre-heat the oven to 375. Lightly mist 12 cups in a standard muffin/cupcake tin with cooking spray and set aside. In a microwave-safe mixing bowl, combine the chicken, ham, chopped cheese wedges and mustard and stir together. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for 1 ½ minutes until contents are warm. Use a spoon to mix contents and smush the cheese wedges until they’ve coated the meat. Push a wonton wrapper into the bottom of each of the sprayed cups in the muffin tin. Using about half of the chicken mixture, spoon evenly into the wonton wrappers. Place one of the 2% Swiss pieces on top of each cup. Press another wonton wrapper on top and repeat the layering steps with the remaining chicken mixture and 2% Swiss cheese. Bake for 10 minutes and remove from the oven. Sprinkle the crushed croutons evenly on top of each cup and return the pan to the oven for another 8-10 minutes until the wontons are golden brown and the contents are heated through. Nutrition Information: 152 calories, 10 g carbs, 1 g sugars, 4 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 17 g protein, 0 g fiber (from myfitnesspal.com)