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Hi all, I was just prescribed some antibiotics for a UTI and they are huge. I have been crushing them (OK'd by the DR) but I am having trouble finding something to mix the powder into that doesn't make me gag. I have tried Peanut Butter (the best so far but at 2x a day for 7 days thats a lot of extra calories), Jello and apple sauce. The pills are really bitter and I feel ill for about a half hour after getting the stuff down. Any advise would be appreciated!! Thanks,

10/2/05 Ok, dont know if im pmsing or what but today and yesterday has not been a good day for this bandster. So much seems to be going on that im not focusing on what i should be doing. Am 8 weeks post op, had first fill 9/8 but dont feel too much restriction. Know I have lost, im down 3 sizes, my rings are really, really loose, others notice but I feel like im sliding down to bad habit land. Shoot today I had 3 med size slices of pizza and yesterday I had some cake and ice cream (father in laws birthday). Thought I have been eating the right things but some of it didnt feel right so when I went to a number of band sights for food Ive found I havent. I think my calories and volume is too much. Dont know what is the right fomula anymore. Have been recovering from a crudy cold for over a week which zaps my energy so havent exercized either. When I do eat I dont feel much of a restriction. Confused on whether I should get another fill. Theres a part of me that really thinks the 1.5 ccs wasnt enough. Sort of felt that way since I had it done. And my schedule on when to eat is off too. Ive been so on the positive and now I feel somewhat down. Hormones maybe? I just dont know. Boy what can I do to resolve some of these issues?? Where should I start? Is this normal when the newness of the band wears off? Ive had what i consider great NSV's but I so afraid Im gonna blow it!!!!!! Micki

I love this stuff and DH loves it too. We an eat an entire head between the two of us You really do save ATON of calories.

Cauliflower Cheddar Casserole (you can leave out the cheese for less calories) 1 Head of Fresh Cauliflower (approx 4 cups cooked) 2 Green Onions (scallions) 1/2 Cup Sour Cream (you can use lite) 1/4 Stick of Butter Salt & Pepper to taste 1 Cup of Shredded Lowfat Cheddar Cheese Cut up the cauliflower and steam/boil until soft. When the cauliflower is soft, drain well. Lightly mash in a colander to drain extra Water. Add the butter and sour cream. Use a mixer to mash the cauliflower until creamy. Add very fine chopped up scallions (use green part too) sour cream, butter, salt and pepper and 1/2 of the cheese, Mix well and pour into large casserole dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Bake at 350°F for 20-30 min, or until top begins to brown. Approx: 775 calories for entire dish. If you use lite sour cream its a little less. Divide into 6 portions = 128 calories / serving

I love Skinny Cow products! When I really want a treat, often I get one of their products. As you stated, they taste great and (in my opinion) are worth the calories.

:teeth_smile: Hi, My name is Vickie and I am looking for a banding buddy/mentor. I was banded on 9/23 today I am 225 lbs. I am 41 and a RN that works in an administrative role. I live in Toms River New Jersey. I am a single parent with 2 kids 19yr and 17 yrs old. They are happy about the surgury but they now are learning to cook for themselves. It is funny my son is turning out to be a good cook and my daughter (the youngest) wants the frozen pizza, and hamburgers, and oh yeah I taught her to make chicken cutlets..with broccoli and egg noodles, that has become her new favorite. I cant say what my new favorite is because I am still on the clear liquid diet until tomorrow..then I get full liquids.....aren't I lucky? LOL I did cheat last night though, I had a sugar free pudding....I was hungry, son being a pain and my stomach was upset from drinking a fuze, so I needed something to coat the stomach. I dont feel bad cheating because I am allowed full liquids tomorrow and I did do well the rest of the post op period. I am walking a little bit, I should walk more--but the weather has been bad--can I make any more excuses??? Looking into joining a gym..but that is expensive. I go back to work Thursday so I will get plenty of walking then. I have stocked my refrigerator with all the Protein drinks and bought the Protein powder, have sugar free yogurt and made home made broccoli Soup...found a Great cookbook for when I can eat real food..it is awsome, breaks it all down into calories fat carbs and carb points. Have a follow up appointment with my nutritionist and metabolic Dr. looking forward to support group middle of next month. I would love to have my own personal buddy to help guide me on the right path to a healthier better me. I would appreciate hearing back from someone who has been on this journey and is willing to banter back and forth about issues both good and the bad. Looking forward to hearing from a buddy, thanks for reading my bio. Vickie

How long has this been for. In my past life, the first week of any diet I'd just pee and pee and then pee some more. All that water weight you lose. Perhaps if you've just had a fill, dropped calories markedly you're having a burst of that initial just on a diet water loss again?

I've kept the same restriction I had, I havent altered my band. Well, I lie a bit actually, I've had a small fill, just to top off as restriction waned after about 18 months (you do lose some Fluid over time). What happened was that I never had tight restriction to lose, didnt need it, didnt want it. I was happy to exercise lots and eat very normally, but with portion control. So moderate restriction suited me fine. Over time, the weight loss got slower and slower and eventually just petered out at around 10kgs past my original goal. My original goal was "generous", it was at the top of my healthy weight range and I knew I'd never stop there, I just set it to shut everyone up who kept saying "you must be realistic". Had I wanted to stop there, I wouldnt have continued to have one or two more small fills. But I just kind of finished losing at around 69kgs (about 150lb give or take). I have not had to unfill, this restriction now serves me well for maintenance. You simply cant go back to "normal". I know of people who have unfilled a bit to stop losing, that's fine, if you have tight restriction you'd probably need to do that. I know of one person who unfilled completely -she's unusual. Most of us still require restriction to maintain and most of us will even require a tiny top up fill every now and then. So I eat pretty much what I ate to lose to maintain - again I did a normal diet WITH carbs such as bread and Pasta, so not too difficult. And I've continued with my running and these days probably MORE than I was running during the faster more steady part of my weight loss (as I got fitter, I did more and more). That's what it takes for me to maintain weight for life, moderate portions, not too many treats and a good 40 minutes to an hour of daily cardio. I eat about 1800 calories a day so I certianly dont feel deprived or too hard done by. But if I had no restriction, my natural appetite drives me to eat more like 2,500 or so, which over time would make me fat again. Even though that's what all the charts say I *should* be able to eat given my height and activity levels.

Medifast has snacks and bars, if you just one of them a day it will help you and they have the same calories etc. as shakes but just one a day. Maybe eat ½ in afternoon other ½ for night snack

Weight Loss For Teenage Girls Top 5 Best Diet Tips Ever<img src=http://www.fatloss4idiots.com/00009/photo4.gif/>from weightlossteenagegirls.comAre you hoping to shed some pounds in time for the summer so you can show off your new trim figure? Are you wondering how to keep it off once you have lost it? The information provided in this article; weight loss for teenage girls ¨C top 5 best diet tips ever will enable you to do just that and much more.If you are overweight and as a result you have lost your self confidence and all your friends ¨C this is for you too. If you will stick with it, you will not only lose the excess pounds but you will gain new friends and a new sense of achievement and self pride.You will have less anxiety about your appearance and your weight will no longer be ever-present in the back of your mind. You will feel healthier, have more energy and learn to enjoy many new kinds of foods.Top 5 Best Diet Tips EverSet realistic expectations ¨C 3,500 calories is equivalent to one pound of fat. A weight loss rate of 2 pounds average a week is a safe rate ensuring you are only losing fat and not muscle or water. The target and focus should be to consume fewer calories while getting more exercise.Get enough sleep daily ¨C Adequate sleep will diminish the urge to overeat during the day. Enough sleep will allow your body to burn off unwanted calories. It will slow down the aging process. It will restore, repair and rejuvenate your body.Exercise regularly ¨C If you haven't been exercising on a regular basis get together with one of your girlfriends and begin walking. Start by walking for 5 minutes 3 times a week and slowly build it up. Walk slowly enough so you can talk but fast enough so you can't sing. Develop it into a good exercise program with aerobic exercise, strengthening and toning and flexibility. Choose fun exercises that you enjoy.Eat a healthy diet ¨C for example layer fruit on the bottom of your ice cream dessert so that you will only take one scoop instead of two and still enjoy it. Eat more fruit, vegetables, lean meat, diary and whole grain foods. Eat less fat and drink less soda. Have weight loss smoothies instead. Don't go more than 3 ¨C 4 hours without food. Use a 9 inch plate to ensure you have smaller portions.Weigh yourself regularly ¨C at least once a week. It will help you stay focused and motivated. Depending on what the scales say for any one week you will be able to adjust your food intake and exercise routine accordingly.Apply this weight loss for teenage girls ¨C top 5 best diet tips ever and you will be happier in a lot of ways.Click here For More Ways For Easy Weight Loss

There is a US handheld calorie calculator with a database of 5000 foods at Electronic Mini Handheld Calorie counter Fitness Planner by Vivonic NEW in Box, but I don't think all US foods are available in the UK. Is there a UK equivalent? I know Weightwatchers do handheld calculators, but they are "points" rather than calories. Can anyone suggest anythign?

Hi Everyone, I would like to get to know my bandster buddy's. I thought it would be nice to have a place where we could meet and discuss anything that is on our mind, and be here to support each other. I was banded in Aug. the weight loss has been very slow for me, which is all my fault. I plan from this day forward to track my calories and exercise everyday. My goal is to be at my ideal weight by Christmas next year.

I'm 62 and was pretty fit even though overweight all my adult life. I worked out AT A GYM 3-4 week and was able to eat moderately well into my early 50's but the excess baggage slowly gained over time and I went from 250 pounds at 52 to my max of 390 pounds, my current weight of 365 and I am 6'5". What Changed in my life from 52-62? I went from an active on my feet job to a desk job that demanded manditory overtime I stopped going to the gym as often and I continued to eat like I was still exercising like before. My life became a cycle of Eat sleep Work and I became too tired even to have fun on weekends. This was a true downard spiral. My company downsized and my job, the one that seemed so important and demanded so much time from me was gone. I was unable to find work and lived on the severance, unemployment and a small pension. At 62 a fat man even with experience and degrees will probably never find work. I was even turned down by McDonalds, guess they were afraid I would eat the product...Picture frosty day in hades for that. In that one year after being laid off till my 62'nd B'day I gained 35 pounds to reach that all time high and I was Miserable. I had to have a heart stint put in, The ol blood pressure went through the roof and deep dark depression set in. Why do I say all this because if you see yourself where I was then you realize No Job is worth what you are going through. If the band didn't work for you then you must make time to LOVE yourself and go to a fitness center or gym. Don't bother with buying equipment you will use for a clothes rack and take up space in your home. Do 1/2 to 1 hour of cardio limit weight training to 6-8 exercises for chest arms and back the legs will be ok with the cardio at the gym and ask the gym to set up a routine for you. Let them know weight loss is the goal not massive muscles. Go 3 times a week do not weight train the same muscle groups 2 days in a row except for walking thats what we were made to do. Park as far from your office as possible and get some extra walking in, Do the same at the stores you go to, walk. Never take the elevator for 1 or 2 floors, great exercise. You can stand up at your desk to work, it burns more calories. This follows in the suggestion of an under the desk leg exercisor is a good one. Your legs are 40% of the average mans muscle mass and a pedeling device with resistance also is better than sitting and doesn't keep you from typing on a computer or answering the phone. So you see and I am sure already know that theres lots of exercise opportunities you may be overlooking or avoiding. Talk to your nutritionist, find out whats going on, you are taking in more calories then you are burning the same as the rest of us. Do a follow up with your surgeon perhaps they can work with you to get you on track. Do all of this today, don't wait another day passes and another and pretty soon, if you'er lucky, you are 62 and perhaps in ill health and then the task will be that much harder. I'm not trying to be preachy, I'm just trying to show you a future that would be a lot harder than it needs to be. Let us know how it goes for you and I for one wish the very best for you. All of us here know it's not easy. Ask for help, work less play and laugh more. I finally realized that no matter how much I love food it doesn't love me back. Good Luck.

We got a above ground pool and had them dig a hole so the pool could go under 2 feet. Well they didn't put the sand back because my hubby says he was going to do it. Soo I thought to be helpful I would go and start refilling the space a long the side of the pool! Why did I do that ..... I started seeing stars- felt like I was going to faint after 30 min in the sun doing it and my arms feel like jello! Talk about being out of shape!!!! Wonder how many calories I burned?

My work out of choice is swimming. After swimming I am Starving! My mother on the other hand does not get hungry from swimming. Soooo I exercise before dinner. I measure my meals out and that's what I have no seconds. I recently had my fourth fill which may be restriction (or close to it) but time will tell. You may want to find preplanned Snacks. When I don't have a plan and get hungry is when I'm in trouble. I like hummus and baby carrots, instant hot cider (non alcoholic) 15 cal., suger free hot chocolate about 60 cal., and hot coffee with splendra/and or suger free flavored syrup no calories. I'm in NE and it's starting to be winter. It can really calm me down to have a hot coffee.

I have felt this way if I am not drinking enough water or am getting too few calories. When I upped my daily water intake, I stopped having this problem.

I bought the protein powder unflavored from unjury.com. I finally found what to mix it with (SF Lemonade Crystal Light). It tastes pretty good. 20 grams of protein per scoop. I try to drink one a day to give me just a little more protein. The other thing I eat every day is premier protein bars. They have 30 grams of protein and 280 calories. They taste pretty good too. I have one for breakfast each morning. Those two things alone get me 50 grams of protein, plus whatever else I eat for meals.

I can't remember the name of the juice I used but when I was on my pre-op diet I used a low calorie juice ( I think it was Pina Colada flavor) and put it in the blender with some no sugar added vanilla ice cream. I didn't have it often but it was a great treat when I was having a rough day. I also added some protein powder. Good luck on your pre-op diet! Jenn

Diet V8 Splash berry Blend Wanted to pass on that I think this is delicious. Cheap = $1.38 for 2 quart bottle. Lots of Vitamin A and C and some Vitamin E. Only 3 carbs and 10 calories a serving. I'm starting the 10-day pre-op diet and found this at WalMart. By the coloring, looks like it will taste like regular V8 but it has a nice berry flavor.

my lap band doctor told me that I MUST eat a MINIMUM of 60 grams of Protein each day, NO exceptions. There is a rather new product on the market that I LOVE. One bottle has 15 grams of protein. I try to drink two or three per day. They sell them at SOME local Wal-Marts or Krogers stores. However, I live in a VERY small community, so I order mine off Amazon. Add a Protein Bar and something like cottage cheese to help reach the 60+ protein goal each day. Good Luck on your journey Protein2o whey Protein Isolate, Zero-Sugar, Low Calorie, Mixed berry, 12 Count (Pack of 2) About the Product 15g whey protein isolate, 0g sugar, 60 calories, 0g carbs Ion-exchange whey protein isolate rich in BCAAs Highest Leucine content of any known protein, necessary for muscle protein synthesis Certified OU-D Kosher, gluten free, lactose free, no artificial flavors, preservative free and BPA-Free Sold by: Amazon.com LLC[/size]

I don't have the recipe with me, but if you google it I'm sure you could find it. Try a salmon mousse. It's delicious. It's very high in protein and low in calorie. It's wonderful on a whole wheat cracker. It's smoothe and easy to go down, as well as very pretty on a holiday table.

I am about to enter the real food stage after my surgery. I seem to do fairly well with the 1/2 cup but do get hungry shortly after. Any suggestions? I am afraid that I will not be able to stick to the plan especially since I don't have any restriction. Do I stay around 1000-1200 calories? I will not have a fill until Jan. 8. what did you do after you began to eat normally? Thanks.

Right now your in bandster hell . the stage between your surgery and your first fill. You are going to be hungry . You have to learn to ignore it for a short time. If you do ok w/ 1/2 cup you might want to try to push it a little more ( IF You do not feel like your STUFFED ) and eat little more . You might be doing what i did initially when i got on real food and your stopping yourself before you needed to because you were scared and your actually not getting in enough to eat . As for calories, i would ask your doc , its probably best to stay around that , but check w/ him first. As far as sticking to the plan . The "plan" Is NOT the same NOW as it is when you have restriction . So dont worry about , the band is NOT A diet , its a tool . the best thing you can do is eat Protein protein protein ! Protein is going to keep you full . HTH Mindy

re: "the weight gain is due to eating the wrong foods"; <br />disagree.....consider it's due to OVER eating the wrong AMOUNT of food.... re: 'ovulation'.....can't speak to this as my ovaries have been inactive for quite some time... The 'sweet spot' does exist IMHO, and requires awareness of the nuances to manage satisfactorily. I found if I make sure most of my weeks total meals fall below a certain calorie count, I have no weight gain concern. And if I do eat over that point for a few days, I begin to feel like the old habit of eating more than my body needs begins to stir again. I do have some kind of long and subtle cycle of slightly more and then slightly less restricted. Sometimes my Band seems even a bit fickle. Life with my Symbiant, my 'Little Angel of the Silicon Fist' is far better regardless of the occasional frustrations. Finding a way to coexist requires adaptability. cheers on your journey

I also posted this on the Pos-Op board, but I thought I should share it with my December friends, too. :biggrin: It's been two weeks since my surgery, and I have updates. I lost 20 pounds on my 2 week pre-op diet, and since then I've lost 14 pounds more. I've been absolutely fanatical about following all the rules of each stage of the diet. I want to succeed, and I especially don't want complications (slips, erosions, etc.) I know sometimes that's unavoidable, but at least I won't have any guilt if it happens. liquid Phase: After reading on these boards that many people gain weight before their first fill, I was deeply concerned that I would lose my progress. So on my liquid phase, after the first few days where I could only get down broth and tea, I stuck pretty much to my pre-op diet, not eating the vegetables of course, but adding in more Protein shakes, for a total of 800-1200 calories a day. I did not drink diluted juice even though it was "permitted," sticking instead to Protein Shakes and, two times, fat-free milk. Mushy Phase: I knew from reading these boards that a major pitfall for many bandsters is the mushy phase. Being that we're hungry and mushies go down easily, the calories can easily add up - many people understandably gain weight during this stage. I didn't want that to happen, so I was afraid to move forward to mushies - but I knew I should leave the liquid diet behind already. I was trying to solve the problem, when I decided that I could do mushies but I would have to keep track of what I was eating and how much. So, I joined Weight Watchers. Diets never worked for me for very long in the past, but I figured the 3.5 week liquid diet should have shrunk my stomach a bit, and knowing I have a fill coming makes it mentally easier to hang on and not go off plan. Before surgery I didn't think I'd care if I gained a little before my fills, but now I do. I've lost 34 pounds in 4 weeks, and I just don't want to go back. I've been sticking like glue to the plan. I weigh and measure everything before I put it in the food prcessor, and I track it online as soon as I've eaten it. I eat mostly low point foods, but I've also splurged on higher point items - did you know you can process french fries? To make them mushy I mixed in some Soup, which I also have to count points for, but they still tasted like french fries, and were worth every point LOL! I've also pureed pizza with a little extra sauce - it doesn't taste like pizza by the time you add the sauce in, but it was fun. Mostly, though, I stick to low point foods: sugarfree pudding, fatfree yogurt, scrambled egg whites with fatfree salsa (pureed), boiled vegetables (pureed), unsweetened applesauce, etc. I also eat whatever my family is having for supper, measured out and pureed. All in all, I've lost 14 pounds since surgery. Anyway, that's where I'm holding now. I have my first fill next month, and I'm terrified. I hope it won't be too painful! Anyway, that's the update. Good luck to everyone on this journey!