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I have a wonderful recipe for crab cakes. I don't know how it stacks up nutritionally but it doesn't use a lot of breadcrumbs for filler so it is better than most. I 'fry' them on a pancake griddle with just a little oil so it's not a diet-buster. I'm happy to share it. I made these when my husband and I had a food truck. Big seller! Cajun-Style Crab Cakes 6 Slices white bread 1 tsp garlic, minced 2 eggs 1lb crab meat ¼ c heavy cream 4 green onions 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 5 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled ½ tsp dry mustard 1 tsp Cajun spice mix Salt, to taste Tear up bread slices and grind in a blender or food processor. Add eggs, cream and lemon juice to form a heavy batter, then remove to a bowl and add all the remaining ingredients. Fry in oil or on oiled grill. Serve with Creole Honey-Mustard Sauce. Creole Honey-Mustard Sauce 1 tbsp vegetable oil 6 tbsp mayonnaise 1 tbsp green peppercorns, crushed 6 tbsp sour cream 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp honey 1 shallot, minced ½ c dry white wine 2 tbsp Dijon mustard In a small, non-reactive saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil and sauté the peppercorns, pepper, and shallots for about 3 minutes or until the shallots are translucent. Add the white wine and simmer until the wine has almost completely evaporated. Let cool. Add the remaining ingredients and check the seasoning. Oh, the sauce is DIVINE!! Enjoy.

I consider myself an expert when it comes to autoimmune rheumatic diseases. First- let's talk your prednisone: See an endocrinologist. Pronto. I was taking 60 mg of pred a day for years. There was no weaning off, because any time I got down to 20-25mg, I literally could not function. In any capacity. Enter the endocrinologist. Because the prednisone does just as much (if not more!) damage than good, my adrenal function was gone, I had prednisone induced glaucoma as well as prednisone induced diabetes. I needed off the meds ASAP. She prescribed me ORAL hydrocortisone. It mimics- and tricks- your body into believing it is prednisone, and is MUCH easier to wean off of than the prednisone. It took a total of 2.5 months vs over a year or longer if it were the prednisone. Do this. Again, ASAP. Ask for it. Second- methotrexate, either by pill or injection: pills made me sick, puking, typical chemo side effects. The shots did not, and they actually work much more effectively than the pills, so if given a choice, it is a once a week teeny tiny needle. Side effects- don't bother paying attention to them. The benefits far outweigh any possible adverse effects. You will need regular blood work to monitor your liver enzymes. Again, I have been on a very high dosage, so mine were often screwy. Third: I can't imagine any surgeon doing WLS or ANY elective surgery while you are on either of these meds. I had to "wash out" before I could have my surgery, meaning get all traces of the meds out of my blood system and stored reserves. Both drugs make you more susceptible to infection and the prednisone especially makes healing hard. And keeps weight on. Again- seeing an endocrinologist will get you off the pred by using oral hydrocortisone pills. Usually PMR goes away after a year or so. I wonder if you don't have true rheumatoid arthritis? The tests- a sed rate and C-reactive Protein screen are used for PMR as well as other autoimmune arthritis diagnosis. Just a thought. So- don't worry about side effects of the methotrexate and get off the pred!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Does having no thyroid at all = hypo? I've wondered about that. I'm losing pretty well so far on pre-op diet. 9lbs in 10 days. But thats on all liquids except a lean dinner. 9lbs is a big deal since it would normally take a year to lose 5 just to gain back 15. The struggle is real with no metabolism. I gained 70 my first year after having it removed. I'd give anything if modern medicine would figure out how to do a transplant.

What's an OM egg? Leatha, I think I'm getting to the same point you are. I've noticed recently that I can eat faster than I've been able to for a long time, and before I know it I've eaten too much and have definite discomfort. The feelings that used to stop me from eating too fast are much less evident now. Naturally my thoughts stray first toward wanting a tighter fill, but I worry that my esophagus isn't as reactive as it used to be and that's the problem, not the restriction level. My doctor says he expects to see more and more examples of reduced esophageal sensitivity as time goes on, and I don't want to be one of them. It's SO HARD to break those habits!! Even 21 months out and I still have a tendency to eat too darned fast!!!

It's 4 hours long so be prepared for that lol however it went by quickly for me because I was so interested. I was reactivating and have gone through orientation before so I knew most of what they were saying but I was still intrigued. You will get weighed and then a surgeon will speak and show video of the surgery, as well as Dr. Z (psych), and Liz the case manager who is also taking over for the dietician while she's on maternity leave

I've had this for many years, but it's gotten worse with age. But it is manageable and I don't have extreme issues if I eat properly. Before LB surgery I was pre-diabetic; my sugar was a bit out of the normal range. After I dropped weight the numbers normalized. Though I still have RA, my tested sugar and A1C is totally normal. Here is some info I found online. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778

If the doc doesn't call you back you REALLY need to consider going to an ER or urgent care. Really. Syncope can be a sign of many things, none of them should be ignored. There is a good possibility that your labs are off and you could be hypo/hyper on many levels. Be careful!!!!!!

It's so good to find someone with a similar problem (though I am really sorry you are experiencing this). A friend gave me a glucometer but I drove myself crazy with it and finally gave it back. I can tell by my symptoms that I am about to have an "attack." I have discovered that the correct term is "reactive hypoglycemia" and it first started showing up around 2005. Then it started being reported at scientific conferences and being written up in peer-reviewed scientific journals starting about 2012 (all this discovered from a search on the web under "reactive hypoglycemia post gastric bypass surgery"). It's can also be called "late dumping" although diarrhea and stomach cramps don't seem to be associated with it. It is most prevalent in gastric bypass patients. I think I mentioned earlier in a post that I only had these episodes once or twice a year until this year. Then, after shopping with a girlfriend all day, we stopped at McDonald's and got a large mocha frappucinno. At her house my lips started going numb and then I didn't really know who I was and could not talk straight. Her husband was a diabetic and for some reason she decided to check my blood sugar which came in at a whopping 34. Off to the ER where the physician on call told me it was "fluctuating hypoglycemia." I am searching for an endocrinologist or gastroenterologist now to see if I can get some help for this. In the meantime I am reading everything I can about what foods to eat. "Protein first," all the articles say coupled with a food that has a low glycemic index (I still don't know what that means). Searching for the sweet spot in the management of this condition!! We can journey together. Thanks for sharing.

C-reactive protein (CRP) - in a nutshell. It is a protein produced by the body at times of inflammation and infection. Other causes can be high blood pressure, pregnancy, being overweight, trauma, stress / mental issues etc (anything that puts stress on the body). Having a high CRP reading can be indicative of increased chance of Cardio Vascular Disease. Continued high levels of CRP cause "Fatty plaque" which lays down in the arteries, increase chance of stroke and heart attack. Good ways to counteract an increase CRP level is with Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Flaxseed, lose weight, and of course, good old exercise. There, now everyone knows what all this darn mumbo jumbo is. I'll be scoffing the E and heading to the gym to continue my light cardio and muscle strengthening. I guess the major reason the doc is putting of chatting about this, is I am already doing the things I am supposed to to correct it. Now, stop distracting me, I'm supposed to be working.

So, this is going to sound crazy, but I'm not so sure I'm looking forward to moving on to pureed foods on Thursday (day 17). I seem to finally be in my groove now with the liquids! Ha! I'm quite satisfied to drink a cup of soup or broth with protein powder, or drink some greek yogurt thinned with Fairlife milk. Will moving to pureed, then soft foods, then regular, reactivate my former appetite? I know, I know, I told you it was crazy. I'm just worried. I've only felt hungry once, and today, I had to make myself drink some soup. I'm reaching my protein and water goals. I read about all of you eating these itsy bitsy meals and I wonder how in the heck I'll get a minimum of 60g of protein and if I will feel satisfied as I do now. AND I've lost 14 pounds, so I'm a happy girl!

Scarlett- Well ,Russia IS a must see, it it pretty wonderful, very beautiful. I always love coming home though. It's the small things in life like umm... Target, Starbucks etc. Synicalchick- I am thinking of you!!!!!! Envious really, you will be done it no time- can you imagine? Keep thinking positive thoughts, positive energy!! Glad you got the bad day out of the way! Good luck! Tammy- I agree, you have very positive and uplifting energy. Glogirl- I have a 2 and 3 year old..I love them to death but I could never have what it takes to teach. Bless you , you must be a patient soul. How long will you be out of school? Ok- here's my question. I was at a health institute in Mexico and just got results from my food allergy panels and it shows that I am highly reactive to eggs, milk, whey, garlic,cheddar cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt. So as you can see the protein drink/soft soft foods stage is going to be a challenge. Of coarse, I have lived 44 years without knowing these particulars so I'll do what I have to. This probably causes my migraines. So any suggestions would be great. Do all protein drinks contain whey? One other question..do you think most people do well with the band..no significant problems? I personally think they do. I think there is a big learning curve, learning to eat with the band. I am 8 hours ahead of you , so you are all sleeping soundly. Today is beauty day, getting the ole eyebrows done and haircut. Have a great day!!

@ - I am so sorry to hear this! I know how miserable that is. Glad you have a beta blocker on hand. If it helps, even when I only adjusted by 1/4 of a pill per week (ie only 37.5mcg pet week, I felt better pretty quick - within a couple of weeks). Are you scheduled tiniest again in 6 or 8 weeks? 100mcg per week is a pretty. If adjustment and I don't want it to make you hypo and not catch it. Keep an eye on your symptoms and try to wait out the 8 weeks before retesting. Again so sorry you are miserable. It will stabilize eventually! Hugs!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Well I'm up late for a terrible reason. But I thought I should leave record of this because you don't see it on the boards often. I had VSG but I have the unfortunate side effects of dumping and late dumping possibly even reactive hypoglycemia. I need to confirm the later with my doctor the next episode. The very first time it happened or that I can remember, I was 4 months post of in Naples. I was taking a coffee and felt a wave of flush wash over me but it disappeared immediately. Thought nothing of it. The next time I was in Paris, Nothing out of the ordinary lol. I had a pettit croissant and then a spoonful of panna cotta and I thought I was dying. Not exaggerating. Room spinning, heart racing, sight failing all in french subtitles. Took an hour to pass in a highly ornate turn of the (17th) century bathroom. The next few times I was on home soil eating (safely/properly cooked) homemade curried chicken breast. Then roasted lamb, next a tossed salad , then means and even once Greek yogurt! But not dessert/pastries again? Whatever...I'm sure it will happen again Absolutely no rhyme or reason. Every time it happens now I can't predict why, when or what foods will cause it. Just tonight peanuts and salmon pate. My usual suspects. I nearly went to The ER, it was that bad but I passed out in bed. Well now I'm awake to tell the tale. So I maybe a unicorn, who knows, but if you are banking on VSG not causing dumping syndrome, you may be surprised...

In general, the three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily protein, fluid and vitamin requirements. So a problem in any of these areas could cause your symptoms. For example, a lack of B12 can cause this. But since you got your labs back and they were good, that indicates that this may not be the problem area. Another type of problem that could cause this is reactive hypoglycemia. Here is a link that describes this condition. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass/

If it truly is reactive hypoglycemia, eating small meals and snacks more frequently will help. Eat a little something every three hours you're awake. Fasting would be contraindicated. A gall bladder issue would be an extremely common reason for the symptoms you are describing. Reactive hypoglycemia is possible, but is very rare and would surprise me. 25-30% of weight loss surgery patients who have their gallbladders develop issues requiring treatment. Gallbladder attacks are often set off by high fat, high protein foods. Sensitivity to eggs is often reported. Nuts, too. Spicy foods and fatty processed carbs can set off attacks as well. Talk to your doc. If it's gallbladder....it's a horse in a field of horses. If it's reactive hypoglycemia it's a unicorn.

Oh I am in for sure but have to figure out how to set up my PM. I need to update my account setting I will work on that this afternoon. YOu have Dr. Baggs everyone likes him and likes going in to see him. :-) I love talking to him because he really gets it. I always tell him things are easy when he sets goals (than don't make them) and he wants me to quit saying that!! LOL. He keeps telling me nothing about this is easy don't keep saying that!! I am registered over at Obesity.com but haven't checked in a year or so. I might need to reactivate my account again. WHat is going on over there?? SO Bella 25 is about 8 pounds a month........Maybe I should do that as well. It is probably more realistic than the 30 I would like!! I can't keep getting discouraged by setting outlandish goals it has been a whole 7 months of that. I need some successes to keep me moving! forward! :-) I think Pam is right small goals ......so if you instead of 25 pounds focus on the 8 X 3 or if you want to break it down more 2 pounds a week.................LOL. Yea Bella I will do the 25 pounds too that seems health and realistic..........and if I end up with more I won't complain! :-) That would still but me firmly under 200! I am lacto ovo vegetarian. And yep I am on top of the vitamins. Even when I was gaining weight I stuck with the vitamins......... Getting ready to watch Invitus and fold laundry.......trying to give myself an incentive to get the housework done!! LOL.

If its happening after eating it could be the reactive hypoglycemia, one lady who had it was put on a zero carb diet and that helped her. I recommend getting a referral to an endocrinologist from you primary doctor. Let them run the labs they are specialized in it and will know better than anyone here. 😬

Yes, stupid Graves ..... I saw my Endo 3-4 weeks post op, then blood tests every 6 weeks, next Endo appointment was 3 months later. Still have 6 weekly blood tests, and still see her every 3 months. She also communicates with me via phone and email. I finally sleep better, my blood pressure and heart rate has come down. Prior to that, I had to go back on beta blockers and sleeping tablets, as the hyper state kept me awake at nights for months! As Thyroxine is so very weight sensitive, each significant drop in weight was bringing hyper thyroid back for me. Now, even though I sleep much longer and much better, I am still tired, still have awful headaches and really bad allergies. All hypo symptoms. So, this next med adjustment may finally do the trick ...... I hope so! Got to keep an eye on the thyroid post op, that's for sure.

Oh No Suzie!!! But at least it is a walker cast/boot. Crutches suck sooooo bad!!! Hope it heals quickly and quits hurting even sooner! Izzy and I just got back from our walk, I increased our distance, and made myself weak by the time I got home. We walk FAST! I am trying to wear her out and work me out! She is pretty good on the leash, better when Rick is with us. But she is learning our ways of what we want her to do. I am waiting for Kinsey to get home, then have to run into town, to get new meds for Rick, the new GERD meds are not working, and he is having problems swallowing. So off to buy his usual OTC kind. And he wants new socks! LOL, he actually, finally ask for them, he has some that are antiques I think! LOL My in laws left this morning for Texas. After telling us for the last few years they couldn't drive it, and dictating when Rick's vacation had to be taken, they suddenly left. Called me from the road. I called them several times yesterday to say happy anniversary, and no one would answer. They did not want us to know until they had already left. I hope they will be ok. It scares me so bad. She drives sooooo slow, not over 55 EVER. Not on the interstate, or anywhere. And he can't move well enough to look around and be reactive. Scary. But they are both well into their 80's now. They celebrated 65 years of marriage yesterday! Can you believe that!! The issue is that my DIL's parents are driving their motor home to TX to meet up with the kids when they come in, and my MIL is concerned about the farm house needing cleaned for them. They are not the kind who would care....but she does. I am finished working, I could have taken them and helped, but guess they preferred not. My dog is snoring....wore her out. Speaking of I need to go call the vet. She has an appointment tomorrow I need to reschedule.

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukah to our Jewish friends! Season’s Greetings for those of you who are not celebrating a holiday now – it’s still a festive time when everyone can enjoy the uplifting spirit around town. As we near the end of a long season of tempting food, you may need a little help getting back on track or staying on track. Here are our offerings. Weight Loss on Christmas? A Personal Challenge Breaking the Slump: Make a Healthy Choice Now! The Holidays, Your Family, and Weight Loss Surgery Hopefully this newsletter can help you keep your weight loss goals in mind and give you a little push to inch closer to hitting them. After reading the newsletter and spending some quality time with your loved ones, don’t forget to head on over to the BariatricPal Forums so you can share your tips and ideas with all of the BariatricPal members! Merry Christmas! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Weight Loss on Christmas? A Personal Challenge The weight loss surgery journey itself is a bumpy road, and recent weeks may have been even tougher as the holiday spirit has taken over. High-calorie, fatty, sugary foods have been everywhere, and gift shopping, family obligations, and holiday parties may have been eating into the time you might otherwise have spent exercising or planning healthy meals. So, what do you say to a challenge to lose weight this Christmas? The idea may sound crazy, but it is actually possible if you try hard. Here are our suggestions for a weight loss Christmas Day. Christmas dinner the WLS Way The totals for a full-blown Christmas dinner can be somewhere between staggering and horrifying. You yourself may have indulged in a few such dinners in the past. Between the ham or turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, casseroles, and Desserts, plus some alcohol and a bit of nibbling on appetizers and nuts, you can have 5,000 or more calories on this single day. Yuck – that’s 1.5 pounds of fat! Here is a more reasonable Christmas Day scenario to consider. Breakfast: Festive Protein pancakes with 1 cup sliced strawberries (150 calories) Meet ‘n’ Greet Appetizers 1 cup fresh cut vegetables with yogurt-based dip (100 calories) Red, white, and green Christmas skewers with cherries, peeled apples or pears, and green grapes. (100 calories) chocolate Coated Protein Puffs Soy Snacks (150 calories) Christmas Dinner 3 ounces of ham or skinless turkey or duck breast with mustard (150 calories) Green bean frittata – a high-protein, low-calorie substitute for green bean casserole (100 calories) Green salad with Light Dressing ½ cup pureed sweet potatoes sprinkled lightly with crushed pecans and sugar (or honey or low-calorie sugar substitute) (200 calories) 1 medium baked apple with cinnamon, served with light or sugar-free whipped topping (150 calories) Later Snacks Protein Cocoa or Mocha (100 calories) 1/2 ounce mixed nuts (100 calories) (Don’t forget to use coupon code BPNEWSLETTER10 for a 10% discount of your first order!) Savor Your Treat Don’t forget to leave room for a treat. That’s right, even WLS patients deserve a treat. Just make sure: It’s one that you really, really want. You can tolerate it (some treats are too sugary or fatty for your post-op digestive system, and even a small serving can make you feel sick). You take only a small amount and count the calories. In the sample Christmas Day menu shown above, there is room for another 200 to 400 calories from your treat while still staying under 1,500 to 1,800 for the day. Those calories can get you any two of the following: A half-cup of mashed potatoes with gravy. A half-cup of bread or rice-based stuffing. A 1-inch sliver of pecan, pumpkin, or another kind of pie. A small square of fudge. A small dinner roll with a pat of butter. A half-cup of eggnog. Get Moving, for So Many Reasons It’s a busy day, but surely you can find a few minutes to get in a short walk or workout. There are so many reasons to get moving in the morning or during the day. Burn calories and boost metabolism. Keep yourself motivated as you notice how good it feels to get moving rather than eat. Take time away from the food because when you are walking, you are not eating. Bond with your children, nieces, or nephews; with your out of town relatives; or with your significant other. Breaking the Slump: Make a Healthy Choice Now! One bad day of eating does not make a habit, but a six-week period does. A skipped workout or two doesn’t get you out of shape, but a month of inactivity makes you sluggish. A single bad weigh-in is no cause for alarm, but a few weeks of climbing numbers is reason to take heed. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas can put you in a weight loss slump. Over time, your can get weaker and those poor decisions can get easier. While a bite of a cookie might have made you feel guilty in early November, the whole cookie and a second one may be par for the course now. Snap out of it! It is time to get out your slump. If the thought of reversing all those bad habits at once is too much, take heart. You can put yourself on the right path with a single decision. One good decision can increase your confidence and lead to more good decisions. You could: Make your own 200-calorie Breakfast sandwich with Protein Pancakes, a fat-free slice of cheese, and egg whites instead of hitting the drive-through for a 500-calorie breakfast biscuit. Schedule a short walk with a neighbor – no backing out! Log your food for a day, no matter how bad you know the numbers will be. Step on the scale if you’ve been avoiding it. How will you break your slump? The Holidays, Your Family, and Weight Loss Surgery As hard as the food and lifestyle around the holidays may be for you as a weight loss surgery patient, your family can make things even harder. You can prevent them from knocking you off your game by being prepared for what to expect and how to handle it. Problem: Pressure to Go Off Your Diet Saying no is just one of those things you have to learn how to do in life. Refusing your relatives’ offer of freshly baked Christmas bread or Christmas Cookies made “just for you” is difficult. They may feel that you are rejecting them. Practicing ahead of time can help. A simple, “No, thanks” can do wonders, and it leaves no room for argument. You could elaborate with variations such as “No, thanks, I’m not hungry,” “No, thanks, my doctor says I can’t eat that anymore,” or, “Not right now, thanks. It’s already great to get to see you!” Problem: Unwanted Comments on Your Weight or Weight Loss If you got your WLS in the past year, you may have dropped several pounds since relatives from out of town saw you. They may be overly reactive to your weight loss. Or, they could have the opposite reaction and say something discouraging about how they expected you to lose more weight by now. Whatever they say, do not let them throw you off your game. Problem: Lack of Acceptance of Your WLS They are not living your life, and they do not know exactly what you have gone through. A lack of understanding about what WLS is and how a WLS lives can inspire negative comments. You can choose to ignore them, or try to explain your WLS to them. You can also try to include them in your routine, such as inviting them on a walk or asking for their help in your kitchen while they’re in town. You can grow closer and develop a better understanding. Again, Happy Holidays! Enjoy this special time with family and friends, and make it a safe and healthy time for yourself and your loved ones. Thanks for spending some time with the newsletter, and we look forward to seeing you on the forums! · Unsubscribe from all BariatricPal E-Mail.

Hello, I had my first fill on the 19th. I have a total of 5.6 cc's and it's taking some getting used to. I didn't have a problem with any foods prior to the fill, now I'm hungry but can't eat much. I've done the whole Pb'ing etc..... even with mushies. Tuna was the only thing that worked today. I'm happy that the weight loss has been reactivated, but it's hard to keep enough proteins in me so that I don't feel light-headed.

Thank you for taking the time to post a well reasoned, well written, balanced message. It sure sounds like there is something salvagable from this mess I've gotten myself into. Would you mind sharing the fb sites that have helped? I ditched fb for many reasons but would reactivate to find these helpful forums. I shared your msj with my niece, who is looking to become sleeved herself, and she too hopes this becomes something we can look forward to in our lives. Thanks again!

I just go back to basics when I need to lose weight. Protein first, then non-starchy vegetables. If I have room after that, maybe a small serving of fruit or whole grains. I don't think I could go all the way back to shakes only at this point. I also have reactive hypoglycemia. Eating something every 3-4 hours helps with that. Either a protein or, if I do a carb, then I pair it with a protein - for example, some apple slices with peanut butter.

Hi I hope all went well with your first fill. Mine will be the 18th of June. I was banded the 16th of May and I too can see the port and I can also feel the band and I hope it goes down as well. They say it depends on how big you are in the stomach area. Does that mean eventually everyone will see it as they lose weight? Just thinking out loud..lol.. I hope the fill gives you some type of restriction as that seems to be a key issue with most people getting a fill. On the cost of them...here in WA State I am paying 375.00 with fleuroscopy and if I need an adjustment on it withing 10 days..150.00 or 175.00 can't remember precisely. Guess that isn't too bad as I see it being done so much more expensively. It's only a hypo with saline..some offices don't do fleuro they just blind stick so I don't understand why they charge as they do...supply and demand and that is horrible..so I hope my 9.5 band is filled well and quickly as that is costly. Good luck to you ..let us all know how it went...we ALL want to know..but each of us is different and some will feel resticted where someone else needs more or less to feel that green zone...

TES, I am also Hypothyroid. I had Graves Disease and had a complete Thyroidectomy two years ago and have been Hypo since. I wonder if that is why i lose slow too?