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Hi all: One of our fellow Bandsters, called me yesterday excited about an awesome and informative show on "The View" yesterday. There was some excellent information and the featured guest was Joy Bauer, who wrote several cookbooks and nutrition books, the latest being "Cooking with Joy". Read below what the show was about! She said it was EXCELLENT and wished she had taped it!!! Maybe we can catch the re-run. ******************************************* The View Tue., Aug. 16: "Weight Loss" special Tuesday, August 16th (Originally aired 6/20/05) Today's show was all about getting in shape! Since recent studies have expressed that eating dairy may actually help you lose weight, we recruited nutritionist Joy Bauer to explain exactly what that entails as well as to disclose other foods that also vow to assist in shedding those extra pounds. Below you will find a brief description of the topics discussed on this morning's program. For more nutritional advice, pick up a copy of Joy's latest book Cooking with Joy. This publication is now available through the ABC TV Store. Fiber Insoluble fiber takes a longer time to chew and provides volume to food without adding a lot of calories. All-Bran Cereal Low-Carb Bread Wheat Bran Soluble fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, which ward off hunger and cravings. Strawberries Apples Pears Steel-cut oats oatmeal Chickpeas Black Beans JUICY FOODS Fruits and vegetables with a high Water content "built in" helps to fill you up resulting in eating less collectively throughout the day. Drinking straight water separately does not have the same effect since it leaves the stomach more rapidly. Watermelon Lettuce Tomatoes Cucumbers Mushrooms Grapefruit Cantaloupe LEAN Proteins Lean proteins can slightly rev up your metabolism after ingestion. To calculate your daily personal requirements, multiply .50 x your body weight in pounds to find out how many grams your intake should be. chicken breast Canned light tuna Shrimp cocktail Turkey breast Tofu Turkey burgers DAIRY There is some evidence that ample dairy can help promote weight loss. Stick with low-fat or non-fat sources and reap the other benefits from Calcium as well, bone health, colon protection, alleviate menstrual cramps and help manage blood pressure. Non-fat yogurt Part skim string cheese Skim milk Low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese Low-fat or fat-free cheese SPICY FOODS Capsaicin has been shown to increase fat oxidation. However, studies have yet to prove that hot spice can promote weight loss. On the other hand, studies have reported that people are often satisfied with less food when the meal is spicy hot. Plus, you automatically eat slower and drink more water. Chili peppers, jalapenos Habaneros Hot salsa Spicy vegetarian chili Stir-fry veggies with chili peppers DIET SODA A study from The University of Texas has shown that people who drink diet soda are more likely to become obese because they are over compensating and give themselves permission to eat high caloric foods. Bottom line is you must be accountable for the calories you intake and drink water! Next, Jorge Cruise, weight loss expert and author of The 3-Hour Diet, showed us how the things we do in our daily routines, such as brushing your teeth and going to the mall, can actually burn calories and help us lose weight. Below you will find a brief description of the topics discussed on this morning's program. For details on how to set your metabolism in motion and for a free weight-loss profile ($40 value), please visit 3hourdiet.net. Furthermore, The 3-Hour Diet is now available through the ABC TV Store. The Ultimate Calorie Countdown Brushing Your Teeth 2x a day = 46 calories = 322 calories per week Getting Dressed 10 minutes of extreme activity = 100 calories maximum a day = 700 calories per week Pushing a Stroller Working with the stroller (i.e., opening, closing, picking up the baby) 3x a week for an hour = 1,800 calories per week Sitting and Eating If you eat 400 calories of food per meal you will burn 100 calories from chewing and digesting, 3 meals (at 400 calories each) and two Snacks (at 200 calories each) per day = 2,800 calories per week HOUSEHOLD CHORES Vacuuming 3x a week for 10 minutes sessions = 300 calories per week Doing Laundry Vigorous activity once a week = 600 calories per week Cleaning House Deep cleaning for an hour once a week = 600 calories per week Grocery Shopping Vigorous activity for an hour once a week = 600 calories per week THINGS YOU DO FOR FUN Playing with your Kids 3x a week for 30 minutes intervals = 1,400 calories per week Sex 2x a week for 10 minutes = 200 calories per week Shopping at the Mall Actively moving around the mall once a week = 400 calories per week THINGS YOU DO FOR EXERCISE Swimming Biking Jumping Rope Running Pilates or Yoga Weight Training Each individual activity 3x a week at 30 minute intervals = 900 calories per week Then we met two women, who each lost more than 130 pounds through weight loss surgery, who felt that while the physical results were what they expected the emotional results put a whole new weight on their shoulders.

Meals: B: Chocolate banana peanut butter protein shake (2 scoops metagenics, 1/2 scoop chocolate unjury) L: Cranberry chicken & italian veggies S: SF Strawberry yogurt D: Frozen Lean Cuisine Turkey Dinner S: Healthy Choice fudgesickle About 8 cups water =================================================== Workout: Podfitness.com treadmill workout for 30 minutes & stretching (kicked my butt!) =================================================== Energy: Sort of sick today. I think it was the chili rellano I had last night. A bit too spicy for my system! I'm thinking of trying that Activa yogurt. =================================================== Weight: Scale at gym said 258.75 (which means it's mroe like 255.75)

Don't attack the cow! You will make it. I would try to have some Snacks that might fill you up for awhile, versus drinking a Protein shake. The cottage or yogurt suggested could be what you need to get between meals. I found the thicker the food the longer it stayed with me. Are you waiting to drink after your "meal"? Make sure you wait for the time your dr suggested so you are not pushing the food through. I would also suggest checking out the food & nutrition forum for some good recipes, maybe some variety would help you out! Are you exercising? That was the hard one to get started for me, but man did it help! I really didn't start with regular exercise for about the first 6-8 weeks, but when I got going on a regular basis the scale started moving down. Not sure I helped, I know how frustrating that phase is, but you can get through it, the scale will start moving down again and you won't always be this hungry!

Unjury makes a chicken flavored protein powder that isn't completely terrible, but I prefer plain broth to counter the sweet. No fruit juice on my pre-op diet at all. I can have some low fat cottage cheese and greek yogurt though.

I do tomato soup with plain greek yogurt. It's about as salty as I can get. Sent from my moto g play (2021) using BariatricPal mobile app

I put in a little more than half a scoop to light Greek yogurt. Witgbthose 2 combined that gives me a total of 30 grams of protein for tgat one yogurt cup...... I would have one more for lunch that gives me my daily minimum of 60 grams for protein.

Wow, I didn't get yogurt until a week out! Looks like you're doing great. I'm sure they're pumping you full of IV fluids, which will help make up for lower fluid intake the first few days. Welcome to the other side!

Different foods "slide" for different people. Pintos and cheese must slide for you. LOL My sliders are yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal and chex mix!

I lost weight following plastics. I stayed within 118-123 range. I was not very hungry and likely lost muscle. I really ate pretty much what I wanted to plus Popsicles. I had multiple procedures and protien goal of hundred grams for 6 weeks. I too was really freaked out about not exercising and once I started I strained my stomach muscle which set me back exercising another four weeks. I ate a lot of my usuals cheese nonfat yogurt nuts fish vegetables keeping sugars as low as possible. Now 5 months out from plastics round one

Sometimes I feel so STUPID!!!! I have been on full liquids now since Friday (yeaterday) my docs instructions say to AVOID: soups, yogurts, oatmeal, grits, etc. (I have pureed some soup and eaten Cream of Wheat) OK, now what can I have besides protein drinks? Can I get some soft food and puree it?? I start soft foods on the 17th. Thanks for everyones help!!

I just posted this blog maybe it will help... It’s Not Bandster Hell…It’s the Waiting Room of Band Opportunity I read few blogs today of folks that are in the proverbial Bandster Hell. Some are eating and frustrated, some are using Weight Watchers to fill the void and others are just hungry. I do think that LapBand medical community needs to be a little more effective in helping people through this phase of the process. My take on things is they do a great job upfront with the sales pitch and the pre-op prep. I think most doctors do a good job with the operation day and the basic post-op recovery. However, there seems to be a decided gap between the operation and the restriction phase of the band process. Which as we all know has been labeled Bandster Hell or BH for this blog. So for those of you in, or approaching BH, here is a check list to think about: 1. Avoid Consumption as Usual – it seems fairly common that once you are basically healed, many people can eat all they want and some like to test the limits of what you can eat. Needless to say this is not what we want to do. Just, assume that you can eat like the old you, but don’t do it.  2. Prepare a BH Menu – Knowing the BH is coming, plan a special menu that is healthy and helps you keep the right habits until you have restriction. I would plan it just like you were at restriction just don’t beat yourself up if the portions are bigger during this time. One person was doing Weight Watcher, some do South Beach, but whatever it is knowledge and planning are power here. 3. Focus on 5-6 Meals a Day – For me the best way to manage BH is to get some 8oz dishes with lids (I got mine at Smart and Final) then plan on eating every 3-4 hours. This keeps me focused on small meals, but allows me to have some extra healthy food. 4. Get Your Protein – Use whey Protein to help you get enough protein. I mix mine with yogurt and blueberries, oatmeal and other foods to load up on it. 5. Focus on Exercise – This is a great time to get your exercise program going and that will help you interim weight management, and make the time when you do have restriction more productive. 6. You Are Not Failing – BH is part of winning in the long term. You are supposed to go through this part of the journey. Don’t beat yourself up. This time is available to you to prepare for the restriction phase of the process 7. You Did Not Do This For Nothing – Reading hundreds of these threads from folks who have walked through the valley of BH, all agree when you get to the other side it will be worth it for you. You did not deal with Pre-Op, spend the money, or go through surgery for nothing. 8. Embrace the Process – This is one of the stages of BH, don’t fight it, make it work for you. Focus on picking good foods, get your body in better shape with exercise and focus on the positive. Like many of you I am trudging my way through BH. I am staying focused getting to the other side and finding the promised land of restriction.

60 grams or more. Drinking a protein shake thing in the am helps me. I use the nectar ones. They have 23 grams of protein and mix it with 8 oz skim milk. 32 grams out the way 1st thing in the morning. I'd morning I have. Scrambled egg with a little over a Tablespoon of cheese. Thats 9 more grams. Greek yogurt also has a lot if protein. Deli thin slices turkey by oscar mayer has 9 grams for 6 slices. String cheese has about 6-7 grams. Hope this helps.

It's not just mornings for me; anytime I fall asleep my band tightens up. I've taken a 2 hour nap and woken up feeling rather tight. Not quite sure what it is about sleeping, but the tightness is quite normal. Normally I'm not hungry for several hours and lunch is my first meal but the dr says it'll mess up my metabolism so I try to stick with yogurt or a protein shake for breakfast.

Thanks MinaT.... I have been eating the Fage Greek yogurt with fruit. I suppose I was focusing on the protein instead of the sugar & carbs. I cannot stand the taste of plain greek yogurt. I know I need to step it up with the water & exercise. I know it sounds like a bad excuse but I sit all day at work, have a commute, and 10 hour days. By the time I get home to my 2yr old exercise is the last thing on my mind. I may need to start going on my lunch or in the morning. I realize how important it actually is. I LOVE oatmeal & loathe protein shakes...lol... but I know everything you said it was I need to do! Thanks!

Tomorrow will be 2 weeks post-op for me and I can finally eat mushy food!!!! What I was wondering is... what did you guys eat on the mushy diet?? I know all the basics....applesauce, yogurt, pudding, creamy soups, but what else have you tried?? I would love to have some kind of variety. Can I eat runny oatmeal or grits?? How about mashed potatoes?? Any info will help! Thanks in advance!

I would think not. There's no way for the yogurt to double its protein count by just straining some water off it. Am I wrong???

I got banded on 8/20 and im having a hard time getting the shakes down. They make me feel like im going to throw up and i easily tolerated them before. I have eaten puddin and yogurt and that does not do this. Is it ok for me not to take them and just get protein from yogurt?

chicken is never good, even skinless, on the mushies phase in that you can get stuck and pb. Some doctors even put it on the list of "can not be used as a mushie." You can even have problems with it when you are on solids. I could get most Proteins down at about 5-6 weeks out without pain, even steak and ground beef. However, chicken and salmon where especially hard and stuck easily. There is something about the consistency that does not make them pass easily through the pouch. However once you are on solids, if you eat them with something else they go down easier. I started eating salmon with a little yogurt mixed with cucumber and dill and it works well. When I eat chicken, I have a bite or two of veggies or something else first and intersperse it with the rest of my meal.

Thanks for the answer Tiff. I think I'll try some Align or eat more yogurt, between moving and dealing with healing I didn't even think about that. MP- I've made a few good friends on here actually even though most people don't understand where I am coming from. The reality is this surgery doesn't exactly come with an owner's manual and who better to ask than someone else who had the same surgery? If you don't want to deal with me, it's easy, don't read my posts and certainly don't reply. Thanks again Tiff.

Without doubt, my band is stamped RUN BY DEMONS! Morning tightness(check), NO hunger (check), had it for lunch, won't go down for dinner (check). I am all over the place. Tonight, I got a water bubble and had to run from the room. This happens as if I took in to much air and air came from below to create the bubble in my throat. Since I got this in 09 I have been very happy with it, but it is fickel, fickel, FICKEL! Climate changes from cool to hot, I am on liquids (learned the hard way). I don't really feel tightness, I just know some mornings not to try to eat and do coffee or hot tea. I haven't come to an understanding of "restriction"; I know it doesn't take as much for me to feel statisfied. I have lost the weight with next to no exercise and would reach goal if I kicked the sugar out of my life again. There only a few foods I can't eat, but I have found that there isn't much I want to eat anymore. In the begining I loved chicken/tuna salad, deli meat & cheese or a grilled chicken breast for lunch ...NO! Everyday is a struggle to find something to eat and it's doing a job on me. To add to my worries, I had to get upper dentures and learn how to chew yet again. My weight is holding but I don't think I get enough calories in daily and I work hard for the protein. Greek yogurt is helping and I don't want smoothies or protein drinks. I am at a loss, but I did learn that if I have a bad day and stuff comes up I head to the liquids for 2 or 3 days to let the swelling go down, When I had this problem summer of '10 I didn't and I got tighter and tighter and had to get an unfill and climb back up. Each person is different and so is each person. Listen to the band, if it says no morning food, don't try it. The band knows and it is in controll.

I begin this blog with venting my frustrations. My loss this month has been horrible. On Aug. 6th I had lost 41 pounds since my surgery back in April on the 19th of this year 2008. I had been proud, feeling so great, excited, but now it is Aug. 29th and yesterday I was at a loss of 43 pounds, with today having the scale bounce up 1.6 pounds. I just don't get it. I am barely eating, my last fill has had me throwing up most of the month and just in the past week have I held food down. I am swimming laps in a new pool, although with bad storms that is not daily. I am sick this week with the "crud" going around, which is sinus infection, upper respiratory issues, so that does not enhance a healthy way of losing weight. I have been enjoying my smoothies, made of pure fruit, yogurt, fat free milk and some juice at times. I eat chicken, green beans, broccoli, healthy things. So - why am I not losing weight as I should??? I am stuck and can't afford to get stuck! I am reading the books, just ordered more of the vitamins to see if they help kick it back into gear from the fill centers USA web site. I even ordered a diving suit that I can continue swimming as the weather turns and the water gets colder. I am not giving up! That is the end of my venting for this morning. If you have suggestions - send them to me! If you pray, include me in your prayer list, if you care, just care!

Bypass Revision due to GERD (Horrible Reflux) Good morning, Congratulations to everyone on here who made the decision to become a better version of themselves!!!❤️ Is there anyone in the Atlanta, Georgia area??? My surgery date was 12/22/22… looking for my buddy or twin? I am 5 days post op and the first three days were challenging, but I believe it was to be expected. Just a lot of discomfort. Sooooooo, Vitamins always First and about that drinking water and getting the fluids needed. I drink all of my water with Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier - Lemon Lime - Hydration Powder Packets | Electrolyte Drink Mix | Easy Open Single-Serving Stick | Non-GMO | 16 Stick https://a.co/d/g0ZjYd9 it’s so much easier cold and I sip on it all day long. 24oz and I keep it in a Manna or Yeti cup to stay cold. I get my protein in with Evolve protein drinks and no sugar yogurts and cottage cheese throughout the day. I don’t have a hunger feeling so I have to try and time it. (All very high in protein) Evolve Plant Based Protein Shake, Double Chocolate, 20g Vegan Protein, Dairy Free, No Artificial Sweeteners, Non-GMO, 10g Fiber, 11 Fl Oz (Pack of 12) - (Formula May Vary) https://a.co/d/emMQGGo Ratio Keto Friendly Coconut Yogurt Cultured Dairy Snack Cup, Keto Yogurt Alternative, 5.3 oz https://a.co/d/6msj2k9 Good Culture Cottage Cheese Organic 4% Whole Milk Classic, 16 oz https://a.co/d/06oD97i For my calcium I take 3 chewable supplements of Caltrate Chewables 600 Plus D3 Plus Minerals Calcium Vitamin D Supplement, Cherry, Orange And Fruit Punch - 155 Count https://a.co/d/3a9w3Fn I hope this helps a little.

I am a finicky eater and am a week from band date. Today I went shopping for my post-band diet food and I really don't feel I have very much. I got tomato juice, cranberry-apple juice, gator aid, unjury chicken Soup (protein), Unjury unflavored (protein), Unjury sample pack (protein). I also purchased canned chicken, tuna, SF Jello, SF chocolate pudding, cream of potato soup, cream of chicken soup, fruit cups, and apple sauce which are for week 3 and 4. I don't eat any type of cheese or yogurt ... so my only dairy product will be skim milk. Per my doctor's instruction: Immediately after the operation you can have an occasional sip of Water or suck on an ice cube. Don't drink more than this. Day After Operation you can have a small amount, more often. Drinking too much will cause nausea and/or vomiting. Besides water, you may choose skim milk or 100% juice. Day 2 to 14 (first 2 weeks) liquids ONLY. You cannot have it if you cannot drink it through a straw! Examples include: Skim milk, broth, black coffee (with skim milk), sugar free Kool-Aid, yogurt drinks, Ensure Light (or other such meal replacements), 100% juice, sugar free carnation instant Breakfast, plain tea, crystal light, sugar free popsicles, diet V8 juice, jello Day 15 to 28 (second 2 weeks) Blended foods (soft solids - no chewing required). Examples include: Sugar free pudding, applesauce, smoothies, baby food, soft boiled or scrambled eggs, ripe bananas, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, liquid soup - low fat

@@2goldengirl At my personal support group we talked about leaks and someone there had one past 3 months; it does occur mainly because the healing process is different for each person. I do not believe is a leak because I would have a fever and other symptoms that go with a leak. I am waiting until Wednesday because the pain has continued with every bite of everything other than yogurt, and at this stage, eating just yogurt is not appealing! LOL.

Cheese slice, tuna salad, egg salad (if you're over the "gotta scramble my eggs" thing) or a deviled egg, yogurt, and for us die-hard Mexican food lovers--refried beans with cheese melted over--YUM. I might be daring and add a spoon of sour cream, too!